Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals

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On your paper, sketch what you think will happen to these shapes if we apply the force shown in GREEN (assume the sides are rigid)

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The TRIANGLE is the only shape that won’t collapse!

WHY?

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The other shapes collapse because the angles between the structural members change.

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The TRIANGLE cannot collapse because the angles are fixed based on the opposite side length.

A

C

B

a b

c

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All other shapes can be deformed because the angles are not fixed. Draw these shapes in a way that will keep them from collapsing.

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Make TRIANGLES!

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The same thing applies in 3D

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The same thing applies in 3D

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Exploring Structural Engineering Fundamentals

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