WELCOME TO OUR FORCES, LEVERS, STRUTS & TIES PROJECT
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Summary: There are different types of forces that act in different ways on structures such as bridges, chairs, buildings, in fact any structure. The main examples of forces are shown below.
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Main Forces
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A Static LoadA good example of this is a person seen on the left. He is holding a stack of books on his back but he is not moving. The force downwards is STATIC FORCE |
A Dynamic LoadA good example of a dynamic load is the person on the right. He is carrying a weight of books but walking. The force is moving or DYNAMIC FORCE. |
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Internal ResistanceThe person in the diagram is sat on the mono-bicycle and the air filled tyre is under great pressure. The air pressure inside it pushes back against his/her weight. |
TensionThe rope is in “tension” as the two people pull on it. This stretching puts the rope in tension. |
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CompressionThe weight lifter finds that his body is compressed by the weights he is holding above his head. |
Shear ForceA good example of shear force is seen with a simple scissors. The two handles put force in different directions on the pin that holds the two parts together. The force applied to the pin is called SHEAR FORCE. |
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TorsionThe plastic ruler is twisted between both hands. The ruler is said to be in a state of torsion. |
Structural Forces
Using a computer desk as an example different forces can be seen working |
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In detail:
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| monitor weighs down and stretches support | weight of computer unit compresses the support beneath the shelf | vertical support bends inwards because of weight of computer. side 'd' is stretched whilst side 'c' is compressed |
The bridge below is a common type called a Box Girder Bridge. These are usually made of steel with all the members (parts) welded, bolted or held together with rivets. Usually they are manufactured in a factory and transported to the site and dropped into position by a large crane. The triangular shapes give the bridge immense strength and for short spans this type of bridge is ideal.
Triangulation distributes the weight of any vehicle or pedestrian crossing the bridge. The weight is distributed through all the members and so the bridge can cope with large weights. This type of bridge is favoured by the British Army. The Royal Engineers have transportable bridges like the one above that can be dismantled and transported anywhere in the world and reassembled. They are bolted together and are semi-permanent structures.
When a vehicle crosses the bridge each member experiences some type of force. The diagram shows that the member that the car rests on is under tensile force (in tension) as it stretches under the weight of the car. As the bridge bends, the top member is compress (under a compressive force).
STRUTS AND TIES
All structures have forces acting on them. The part of the structure that has a tensile force acting on it is called a TIE and the part that has a compressive force acting on it is called a STRUT.
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WallThe beam is held in position by a steel rod. The weight of the beam is stretching the rod (tensile force). |
RoofThe roof beams are under pressure from the weight of the tiles on the roof (compressive force). The floor beam is being stretched (tensile force). |
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FlagpoleThe wires on either side of the flagpole are being stretched (tensile force). Why is the pole under a compressive force ? |
| In the diagram opposite, forces act across the entire length of the beam (it bends because of the 'ton' weight). When a structure bends like this it is in tension as it is being stretched. |  |
Levers
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Levers are used to lift heavy weights with the least amount of effort. In the example opposite, the heavy weight on the left hand side is been lifted by the person because of the lever. The longer the 'rod' the easier it is to lift the weight. Under normal circumstances the person would not be able to lift the weight at all. The fulcrum is the place where the rod pivots (or rotates). |
The load is the scientific name for the weight. The effort is quite simply the amount of effort used to push down on the rod in order to move the weight.
We use levers in every day life. Bicycle brakes work due to the fact that they are based on a lever. The diagram opposite shows the fulcrum and the effort. Another good example of a lever is a simple door handle or a wheel barrow. |
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THREE CLASSES OF LEVER
There are three classes of lever and each class has fulcrum, load and effort which together can move a heavy weight.
Class 1:
The workman uses a trolley to move the large packing case. The fulcrum is the wheel.
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Class 2:
The gardener uses a wheel barrow to lift tools and garden waste. The load is in the centre of the barrow.
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Class 3:
The fisherman catches the fish which becomes the load at the end of the lever.
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