Forces Acting on Structures

Tension is:

• Two pulling forces from opposite directions that stretch an object.

• Two pushing forces that squeeze an object.

Compression is:

• Two pulling forces from opposite directions that stretch from an object.

• Two pushing forces that squeeze an object.

Large thick steel cables are strung under great tension between towers. This is what type of bridge?

• Suspension Bridge

• Truss Bridge

• Beam Bridge

• Arch Bridge

This is the simplest type of bridge:

• Suspension Bridge

• Truss Bridge

• Beam Bridge

• Arch Bridge

These triangular shaped structures add extra support to the bridge. What type of bridge is this?

• Suspension Bridge

• Truss Bridge

• Beam Bridge

• Arch Bridge

These types of bridges have been used for centuries.

• Suspension Bridge

• Truss Bridge

• Beam Bridge

• Arch Bridge

Cars or trains moving across a structure is an example of what type of load:

• Dead Load

• Live Load

• Thermal Load

• Earthquake Load

Environmental loads are also known as:

• Live Load

• Thermal Load

• Earthquake Load

• Settlement Load

What are the strongest shapes to use in building structures?

• Circles

• Squares

• Triangles

• Rectangles