http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_wimpy_radar_antenna/wimpy_radar_antenna.xmlactivitytext/xmlCenter for Engineering Educational Outreach, antennabendingconstructiondesignforcesinsulationmodelmomenttorquetorsiontower

Students reinforce an antenna tower made from foam insulation so that it can withstand a 480 N-cm bending moment (torque) and a 280 N-cm twisting moment (torque) with minimal deflection. During one class period, students discuss the problem, run the initial bending and torsion tests and graph the results. During the following class periods, students design, construct and test sturdier towers, and graph the results.

Evaluation of the effect of torsional forces on objects such as building support beams or machine parts (by civil and mechanical engineers, respectively) is extremely important in making sure that structures and machines do not fail. Understanding how torsion affects objects helps engineers design structures that are safe and sound. Students learn the concept of a moment (torque) of a force and learn how to calculate moments. Students learn how moments (torque) ("turning forces") create bending and torsion loads on structures; they understand the effects of bending and torsion loads, and gain some appreciation of how engineers can design structures to resist bending and torsion.143TeachEngineering.orgDouglas Prime, Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Tufts UniversityBrad George, Hale Middle School, Nashoba Regional High School.http://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_wimpy_radar_antenna/wait_a_moment.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_wimpy_radar_antenna/wait_a_moment.pdfhttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_wimpy_radar_antenna/graphs.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_wimpy_radar_antenna/graphs.pdfS100DB96MassachusettsScience5.3 Explain how the forces of tension, compression, torsion, bending, and shear affect the performance of bridges.68S1009558MassachusettsScience2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings.68S1011180MassachusettsScience2.3 Describe and explain the purpose of a given prototype.68S1010C69MassachusettsScience2.4 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.68S1004F28MassachusettsScience2.5 Explain how such design features as size, shape, weight, function, and cost limitations would affect the construction of a given prototype.68S114174AInternational_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyE. Models are used to communicate and test design ideas and processes.35S114174DInternational_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyH. Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions.68S114177FInternational_Technology_and_Engineering_Educators_AssociationTechnologyM. Diagnose a system that is malfunctioning and use tools, materials, machines, and knowledge to repair it. 912United StatesCopyright 2012 - Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Tufts Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-12-297Teacher