Activity (Hands-On)Grades 6 - 8
Modeling Loads on Structures Using "Human Molecules”
Students learn about the fundamental load typesCopyright Wikimedia Commons http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Tension,_compression,_shear.png
Students conduct several simple lab activities to learn about the five fundamental load types that can act on structures: tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion. In this activity, students play the role of molecules in a beam that is subject to various loading schemes.
Engineers consider many forces when planning and designing materials and structures, including tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify the five fundamental loads: compression, tension, shear, bending and torsion.
- Explain what is meant by something being elastic and non-elastic (inelastic).
- Describe characteristics of molecular bonds.