Structures & Geometry

The project to get you started thinking geometrically!

Nancy Powell and Andrew Moore Bloomington High School, Bloomington, IL
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What have these structures have in common?

the Panama Canal Mt. Rushmore, the Sears Tower, and the Great Wall of China All are memorable human achievements in structure building!

Structure Project Goals

Learn & write about structures and the geometric qualities that make them strong Look at types of materials and their geometric designs and strengths Work as a TEAM to design and build a file folder structure Measure its height Test the structure for its strength
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Did you know?

Winds blowing at the top of a 100story skyscraper are

four times

more powerful tan those halfway down.

Sears Tower: upon its completion in 1974, it became the tallest building in the world, but these days it's 'no more' than America's tallest skyscraper, and #4 in the world. The 108 stories tower reaches 442m/1,450f, while the twin antennas atop the building bring its total height to 527m/1,729f.
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Procedure:

Complete the Internet investigation and research.

What effect does shape have on the strength of a structure? How does nature influence design? What is structural engineering? What is corrugation?

http://www.district87.org/staff/powelln/structures/default.html
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Kobe, Japan 17, 1995

January

Procedure:

San Francisco, CA Building a Tent, The Art of Construction, Chapter 2 October 17, (p. 9 15) 1989 http://www.district87.org/staff/powelln/structures/tenscomp.htm
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Learn about tension and compression via experiments.

Did you know?

Lower buildings are made from lightweight materials to minimize damage to the surrounding area if they collapse in an earthquake. Taller buildings have flexible internal supports, allowing them to move with the force of an earthquake without breaking.
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What do you think of this building?

This 6-story Nunotani Office Building in Tokyo is sturdier than it looks. Its sloping walls, ceilings, & floors are designed to withstand destruction by earthquake.
How to fight Tornadoes & Earthquakes The Art of Construction, Chapter 9 (p. 65-74)
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Procedure:

Interview people that will be helpful in understanding buildings, architecture, and/or structural engineering.

http://www.teachersnetwork.org/dcs/math/structures/journal.htm
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Did you know?

An architect is a person who designs buildings. What are the three things that an architect considers when designing a building? Function every building has a purpose Appearance the look should relate back to its function, the choice of materials, & the climate Durability building must survive the effects of weather and be easy to repair.
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Procedure:

Your TEAM will Design and Build a file folder structure & test it for weight held and measure the height of your structure for points!
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You cant believe that file folders can be strong enough to hold weight such as a 25-pound weight?
Structural engineers have some ideas. Check out this movie! Engineer Ysrael Seinuk talks about Structural Engineering:

http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/alg
(A Steel FrameMade Out of Paper, The Art of Construction, Chapter 6 (p. 39 49)

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Team/Resources

You will be put in teams of 4-5 students. Materials

10 manilla file folders (provided) Elmers white glue Paper clips and rubber bands to hold the structure together while it is drying (they MUST be removed before the structure is tested).
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Technology

Use the phone and/or the Internet email to contact people that might be of help in your design. Use the Internet for research & design ideas Use the Computer to write your paper or create a web page. Use the Digital camera to document your design and building process and final structure. Insert your photos into your paper, web page, or video to illustrate the geometry you used.
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Analysis of Your Design

Design your structure

Architectural and geometric features Your strengths relative to geometric design Your weaknesses relative to geometric design

Strengths

Weaknesses

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Competitive Yes!

Competitors Other Teams Strengths Record is 990 pounds

(1553 lbs. for 25 file folders)

Heights Record is 11.5 inches Well measure and test your structure in the weight room on the due date! Grades will be assigned as indicated on the evaluation sheet.
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Schedule Days 1 & 2

Complete research work on this during the first two class days and continue working on it for homework.

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Schedule Days 3, 4, 5, & 6

These four days are to be used to design and build your structure while working on your paper or web page as homework! Use a weekend to allow structures to dry.

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Schedule Day 7

Test structures in the weight room!

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Schedule Day 8

Complete your papers, web pages and/or videos. Evaluate your process and success!

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Celebrate!

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