GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Structures are all around us, from the chairs we sit on, the homes we live in, to clothes we wear
and spectacles. Some structures are small, like drink cans and shoe boxes or mobile phone.
Other structures are massive, like airliners and skyscrapers.

Success Criteria
 I can state the four functions of structures and give examples of structures that perform
the 4 different functions.
 I can classify structures.
 I can explain the difference between static load and dynamic load.
 I can identify the different types of forces acting on a body.
 I can identify the types of reinforcement (gusset plate or brace) used in a structure.

Structures have one or more functions. These include:

MRT track
 Spanning between points;
 Supporting a load;
 Protecting things;
 Containing things.

A structure spans between two points, like a bridge or a shelf so that

vehicles and pedestrians can use it to go over from side to the other
side.

Pedestrian bridge

Flyover
Book shelf
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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Shoe rack

Table

A structure that supports an object is the

legs of a table or chair. The structure should
be strong enough to stay in place even if load
Arm chair is applied.

Face
mask

Softball helmet

Fan A structure that protects. (e.g. a

blade foam packaging or a safety helmet.
guard

Bubble wrap

A structure that contains a

product (e.g. a container that
Bottle contains milk)

Jar

Bowl
Pencil case
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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Why do we learn about Structure?

Road collapsed due to earthquake in A section of PIE viaduct collapsed in

Japan Singapore

Broken chair causes the user to fall Fallen window and bamboo pole
off. due to structure failure

It is essential to prevent structural failure

because it involves danger to human life and
properties. Causes for a structural failure can be
due to user’s abuse and improper planning
when designing the structure. Proper analysis
of all these factors before constructing a
structure is important.

Structures failed because:

 the design has not considered the

actual loading conditions.
 the material used is not able to
withstand loads or deteriorate over
time. Inappropriate usage of toilet bowl
 of improper joints that connect different
members together.

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 GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

10.2.1 Man-made Structure Umbrella is one of the man-made

structures that is made up of frame and
shell structures. The canopy is a shell
structure and the rest of the parts are
stretcher frame structures.

Materials used to manufacture umbrellas

canopy runner have improved through the years.
Advancements in metal-producing
technology have made the structure of
the umbrella more feasible. Canopies are
shaft made with nylon that can withstand a
drenching rain and dry quickly.
rib
handle 10.2.2 Natural Structure
Trees are natural structures that can be
found in the environment. The branches
are joined to the main trunk of a tree.
These branches need to withstand
different types of weather elements such
as sunshine, wind and rain.

There are other types of natural

Other types of natural structures structures around us.

corrugated Structures in nature have been perfected

board over thousands of years. Designers can
learn a lot from nature when designing
structures.

honeycomb

safety
helmet

honeycomb
board tortoise
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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

10.2.3 Structures in daily life

If you understand how structures work, you will be able to design products that are stronger and
safer than they would otherwise be.
Some structures use a framework
Spectacles frame to provide strength. Other parts
are then fixed to the framework to
provide strength to the structure.
Examples include bicycles and
spectacles frame.

Clothes
rack

Bicycle
Building structure

Some structures have a shell

to provide strength. Examples
include tissue box, cooking pot
and vacuum cleaner. Umbrella
canopy

Tissue box

Vacuum cleaner
Shoe
Cooking pot

A length of
A rectangular wood will be
length or less likely to
material will be break when the
less likely to force is applied
bend if used along its grains
upright instead instead of
of flat. across its
grains.

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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

10.3.1 Loads
Structures are designed to withstand different types of forces:
 External forces or loads which act on the structure; and
 Internal forces which act within the structure

A static load on a body is

the force applied without
any build up in energy, and
therefore it does not cause
any change in size,
position and direction on or
within a structure.

Television is a static
load on the TV rack.
Books resting on the shelves
are static loads on the shelves.

Photo frame is a static load on a table.

A dynamic load is the force that is applied with a change in the level of energy within a
structure. Therefore, this causes a change in size, position and direction on or within the
structure.

Man running on treadmill

is a dynamic load on the
treadmill.

Girl swinging
on swing is a Man punching the punching
bag is a dynamic load on the
dynamic load
on the swing punching bag.
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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

10.3.2 Forces

A structure that is subjected to

pulling is under tensile force.
Example: a rubber band that is
tied around a bundle of
chopsticks. Object experiencing
torsion

Tension A structure that

forces is subjected to
twisting is under
torsion force.
Example:
tightening of a
screw.

A structure that is subjected to an

external force that causing it to bend
is under bending.

Shear forces

A structure that is subjected to

sliding is under shear force. A beam
under
When the forces are aligned to bending
each other, they are called
compression forces.

Elastic Rigid
material material

Tensile
forces

Compression
forces

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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Structures can be made stronger by adding small amounts of material at the right places. Adding
strength to a structure in this way is called reinforcing a structure. Two methods of
reinforcements are described below:

10.4.1 Gusset plates

Gusset plates are thick sheets of material that are used to add strength to a joint. They increase
the area of the joint and help to distribute stress more evenly.
gusset plate

gusset plate

10.4.2 Braces
Braces add strength to a joint, as shown in the figure. Braces are commonly used in shelf brackets,
wall brackets, cantilever beams and for supporting other structures like street lamps.

brace

brace

web

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GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY) – DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

 The four functions of a structure are:

 Spanning
 Supporting
 Protecting
 Containing

 Frame structures have a framework to provide strength.

 Shell structures have a shell to provide strength.

 Structures can be reinforced using gusset plates and braces.

 A structure has to resist static and dynamic loads.

 Static loads are forces that have constant size, position and direction on or within
structures.

 Dynamic loads are forces that change size, position and direction on or within structures.

 The structure is designed to withstand different types of forces.

compression tension bending torsion shear

 A structure can contribute to strength and aesthetic appeal.

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