Transcript PowerPoint - district87.org

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?
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the Panama Canal
Mt. Rushmore,
the Sears Tower, and
the Great Wall of
China
All are memorable
human achievements
in structure building!
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Structure Project Goals
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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:
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Complete the Internet
investigation and research.
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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 January 17, 1995
Procedure:
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San Francisco, CA
October 17, 1989
Learn about tension and
compression via
experiments.
“Building a Tent”, The Art of Construction, Chapter 2
(p. 9 – 15)
http://www.district87.org/staff/powelln/structures/tenscomp.htm
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Did you know?
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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:
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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?
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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:
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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 can’t 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/
algebra/structural_engineering/
(“A Steel Frame…Made Out of Paper”, The Art of
Construction, Chapter 6 (p. 39 – 49)
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Team/Resources
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You will be put in teams of 4-5
students.
Materials
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10 manilla file folders (provided)
Elmer’s 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
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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
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Design your structure
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Strengths
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Architectural and geometric
features
Your strengths relative to
geometric design
Weaknesses
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Your weaknesses relative to
geometric design
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Competitive – Yes!
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Competitors – Other Teams
Strengths – Record is 990 pounds
(1553 lbs. for 25 file folders)
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Heights – Record is 11.5 inches
We’ll 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
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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
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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
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Test structures
in the weight
room!
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Schedule – Day 8
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Complete your papers, web pages
and/or videos.
Evaluate your process and success!
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Celebrate!
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