Questions&Answers
1. A structure is…
a) A single element designed to resist different forces,
like weight, wind, pressure, etc.
b) A set of elements joined together to resist different
forces.
1. A structure is…
a) A single element designed to resist different forces,
like weight, wind, pressure, etc.Wrong: A structure
always has more than one element or piece.
b) A set of elements joined together to resist
forces.Right: Any structure you can think of,
consists of more than one element . The Eiffel
Tower, for example, has 18.000 iron bars, joined
together with 2.500.000 rivets.
2. A good structure must
resist…
a) Its own weight, the wind, mechanical forces,
pressure and heat.
b) Its own weight only.
2. A good structure must
resist…
a) More than its own weight.
Right: The Eiffel Tower’s original weight was 7.500
tons, but now is more than 10.000 tons, if we count
all the restaurants, elevators, machinery, etc.
b) Its own weight only.
Wrong: A good structure doesn’t fall down when it is
loaded. Think, for example in a bridge: it has to
resist its own weight and the weight of the cars that
cross it .
3. Wind and heat are…
a) Fixed loads.
b) Variable loads.
3. Wind and heat are…
a) Fixed loads.Wrong: Wind and heat don’t act all the
time. Fixed loads act all the time on the structure,
like weight and atmospherical pressure.
b) Variable loads.Right: The Eiffel Tower is 18
centimeters taller in the summer, because of its
thernal dilation. And when wind blows, its top can
oscillate up to 14 centimeters horizontally.
4. What is stress?
a) The internal tension of the elements of a loaded
structure.
b) The internal tension of a student after seven
classes on a row.
4. What is stress?
a) The internal tension of the elements of a loaded
structure.Right: They are called traction,
compression, bending, torsion and cutting.
b) The internal tension of a student after seven
classes in a row.Wrong: Ok, that’s stress too, but
we are talking about structures.
5. When one of the elements of
a structure is subjected to
traction stress, it tends to…
a) Increase its length.
b) Decrease its length
5. When one of the elements of
a structure is subjected to
traction stress, it tends to…
a) Increase its length. Right: like when you stretch a
rubber band.
b) Decrease its length. Wrong. This would be
compression instead.
6. Which of these elements are
subjected to compression
stress…
a) A beam.
b) The vertebral column.
6. Which of these elements are
subjected to compression
stress…
a) A beam.
Wrong: Horizontal elements are
Subjected to bending stress.
b) The vertebral column.
Right: Bad postural habits can cause
severe injuries in your vertebral column,
by compressing its elements (vertebrae).
7. The easiest way to break a
tree is by…
a) Traction or compression.
b) Bending or cutting.
7. The easiest way to break a
stick of wood is by…
a) Traction or compression.Wrong: Wood is very
resistant to traction and compression.
b) Bending or cutting.
Right: The cellulose fibers Bending
of wood break easily under
bending or cutting stresses.
Cutting
8. As a general rule, the
horizontal elements of a
structure are subjected to…
a) Compression stress.
b) Bending stress.
8. As a general rule, the
horizontal elements of a
structure are subjected to…
a) Compression stress.
Wrong: Vertical elements, like columns,
are subjected to compression.
b) Bending stress.
Right: Bridges, bookshelves or tables
are examples of structures with
elements subjected to bending stress.
9. Stable structures have its
center of gravity..
a) As high as possible.
b) As close to the ground as possible.
9. Stable structures have its
center of gravity…
a) As high as possible.Wrong: Gravity
pulls down everything.This makes
unstable every structure which COG
center of gravity is far from the
ground.
b) As close to the ground as
possible.Right: If the center of
gravity is already close to the
ground, gravity cannot pull it down COG
further, like in pyramids.
10. The resistance of a structure
depends on…
a) The material used in its construction.
b) The shape of the structure.
c) Both things.
10. The resistance of a structure
depends on…
a) The material used in its construction.Right:
Resistant structures are made with resistant
materials, like steel or concrete.
b) The shape of the structure.Right too: If the shape
of the structure is not good, it can fall down even if
it’s made with a resistant material.
c) Both things. This is the right answer.
11. The rigidity of a structure
depends on…
a) The material used in its construction.
b) The shape of the structure.
11. The rigidity of a structure
depends on…
a) The material used in its
construction. Wrong: Structures
made with rigid materials, like steel
or concrete, can be deformed if they
don’t have the right shape.
b) The shape of the structure.Right :
Rigid structures can be made out of
flexible sticks, like in triangulated
structures.
12. The pyramids of Egypt
are…
a) Suspended structures.
b) Massive structures.
12. The pyramids of Egypt
are…
a) Suspended structures.Wrong:
suspended structures, like
suspended bridges,need
wires to be stable.
b) Massive structures.Right:
massive structures need a
huge amount of material To
be constructed, but they are
very stable.
13. The Golden Gate bridge is
a…
a) Suspended structure.
b) Massive structure.
13. The Golden Gate bridge is
a…
a) Suspended structure.
Right: In the picture you
can see the wires that
hold the bridge.
b) Massive structure.
Wrong: Massive
structures don’t need
wires.
14. The Capitol’s dome is
a…
a) Massive structure.
b) Vaulted structure.
14. The Capitol’s dome is
a…
a) Massive structure.Wrong:
massive structures are not
hollow.
b) Vaulted structure. Right: A
vaulted structure is a
combination of arches
and columns,designed to
provide a spherical ceiling
for a building.
15. The Eiffel tower is a…
a) Triangulated structure.
b) Vaulted structure.
15. The Eiffel tower is a…
a) Triangulated structure. Right:
In the picture you can see the
Steel bars joined together in
triangles. Triangulated
structures are light and
resistent.
b) Vaulted structure. The Eiffel
tower has no ceiling, so It can’t
be a vaulted structure.
16. The case of a mobile phone
and the frame of a car are…
a) Triangulated structures.
b) Plate structures.
16. The case of a mobile phone
and the frame of a car are…
a) Triangulated structures.
Wrong: Triangulated
structures are made with
sticks, joined together in
triangles.
b) Plate structures. Right:
plate structures are made
With thin layers of plastic or
metal, to protect the inside.
