TERM TWO

UNIT ONE - WHAT ARE STRUCTURES (PG 56)

- Is something that has been built , made or put together.

THE PURPOSE OF STRUCTURES

1. Structures are made or constructed for different reasons.
2. The purpose and fuction of a structure depends on its use .
3. Structures have 4 main purposes

A. CONTAINING OBJECTS
- A structure can contain or hold objects eg a cold drink can contains a liquid inside.

B. PROTECTING OR SHELTERING OBJECTS

- A structure that protects or shelters objects eg a tortoise shell , egg shell , birds nest.
-
C. SUPPORTING LOADS
- a structure that supports the weight of another object eg a chair , desk

D. SPANNING DISTANCES
- A structure can span a distance eg a spiders web , bridge , zip line.

CLASSIFICATION OF STRUCTURES ( PG 57 )
- Structure can be classified as either NATURAL OR MAN-MADE.

1. NATURAL STRUCTURES
- These structures have not been made by people and can be found in nature eg skeletons , trees.

2. MAN – MADE STRUCTURES

- These are structures that people have made to help solve their problems. Eg buildings , bridges.

ENABLING TASK 1 (PG 57)

COMPLETE THE TABLE BELOW
STRUCTURE SUPPORTS SPANS PROTECTS CONTAINS NATURAL MAN-MADE
BRICK
BICYCLE
MOUNTAIN
CHAIR
TENT
BRIDGE
NEST
BUCKET
HONEYCOMB
UNIT TWO - TYPE OF STRUCTURES (PG58)
DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRUCTURES.
There are 3 main types of structures. These structures can be natural or man-made.

a. SHELL STRUCTURES

a. Shell structures contain and protect things from the inside and are usually hollow.
b. The outside layer holds the whole object together.
c. Examples include mugs , suitcases , eggshells , honeycomb and nut shells.

b. FRAME STRUCTURES

a. Frame structures that are made of rigid parts that are joined to form a framework.
b. A frame structure supports a load from the outside.
c. These parts are called members
d. Examples include bridges , a bicycle frame , crates .

c. SOLID STRUCTURES

a. A. solid structure is usually made from one solid piece of material BUT it can also be made
by piling up materials to form a particular shape or design… mountain rocks.
b. They are NOT hollow and DO NOT CONTAIN any joints.
c. They are usually strong and can support heavy loads.
d. Examples include mountains , bridges , blocks.

ENABLING TASK 2 (PG 59)

STRUCTURE SOLID SHELL FRAME MAN-MADE

NEST
BRICK
BRANCH
TORTOISE SHELL
BALLOON
CRANE
GLASS
SNAILS SHELL
WALL
WEB
SHOPPING BAG
HAT
UNIT THREE - INVESTIGATING A FRAME STRUCTURE – A CELL
TOWER (PG 60)
1. Frame structures consists of many rigid members that are joined together to form a structure.
2. Different frame structure have many similar features which help to strengthen the structure and help
the different sections to resist forces acting on them.

CELL TOWERS
1. A cell tower consists of struts which are diagonal rods or bars in a frame structure. These braces
(joins) or supports the other sections and keeps them in position by pushing against them.
2. Forces that push against each other are called compression forces or pushing forces.

3. Cell towers have wide bases that help to stabilize them .

4. The upright poles are called tower members and are held together by cross pieces called tie beams
which are horizontal beams or crosspieces that support the members by holding or pulling on
them.
5. Forces that stretch the members ( uprights poles ) are called tension forces or pulling forces.

6. The triangular shapes created are very strong. Many structures and buildings use this shape in
their construction.
UNIT FOUR - STRENGTHENING STRUCTURES – PG 62
TRIANGULATION
1. When we reinforce ( make it stronger ) structures with triangular shapes , it is called triangulation.

struts
members

TRIANGULATION IS USED TO STRENGTHEN MANY TYPES OF FRAME STRUCTURES EG

1. PYLONS – are large frame structures that are used to support power lines.
2. WINDMILLS – are tall frame structures that convert wind energy into usable energy. The wind
turns the blades , which operate a machine that can be used to grind flour , pump water from
underground or generate electricity.
3. MINE HEADGEAR – are steel frame structures that are constructed over mine shafts . they are
used to take machine or workers into and out of the underground mines ( like a lift ).

COMPLETE ENABLING TASK 4 ( PAGE 63 )

REDRAW THE LIFEGUARD TOWER ON THE LEFT TO MAKE IT MORE

STABLE. LABEL YOUR DIAGRAM SHOWING THE DIFFERENT
STRUCTURAL MEMBERS YOU USED SUCH AS TIE BEAMS , STRUTS ,
TRIANGULATION AND BROAD BASES.
UNIT 5 - EVALUATE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS (PG 64)
- Technology offers a range of communication products that use both land lines or mobile or cell
telephone systems.

1. LANDLINETELEPHONE SYSTEMS
Landline telephone send signals through a network of cables are either buried in the ground or suspended
in the air.
ADVANTAGES OF LANDLINE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
1. Reliability - because they rely on wires they are more reliable than mobile phones.

2. Emergencies – you don’t need to worry about poor reception in an emergency.

3. Price – landlines calls are cheaper than cell phone calls.

DISADNAVTAGES OF LANDLINE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
1. Cable theft - there is no telephone service when cables are stolen or broken.

2. Mobility - Landlines have a fixed connection in one place and therefore you cant take it with you.

3. Availability – Some areas in south Africa don’t have the infrastructure for landlines .

4. Long distance charges – calls charges are calculated according to distance and duration.

2. MOBILE TELEPHONES LINES

Mobile phones ( cell phones ) connect to a cellular network and transmit signals using radio waves.
ADVANTAGES OF MOBILE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
1. Ease of communication - anyone in the world can be called as long as they have a cellphone and
signal.

2. No long distance charges – calls are charged per minute or second irrespective of where you are (
except for international calls )

3. Safety - you can always call for help in an emergency.

DISADVANTAGES OF MOBILE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
1. Interruption – you can be called anytime , anywhere … disrupts you.

2. Safety – talking on a cellphone can be extremely dangerous especially while driving.

3. Service – bad weather can caused bad reception or calls to be disconnected.

4. Availability – some areas in south Africa do not have cell phone coverage.

ENABLING TASK 5 (PAGE 65)

ACTION RESEARCH PG 66
STIFFENING MATERIAL AND STRUCTURES

1. Materials such a plastic , wood , steel and paper can be strengthened in many ways.
2. Corrugated cardboard used in packaging is an example of how paper is strengthened because of
how it is shaped.
3. Materials can be strengthen by

a. TUBING
b. FOLDING
c. TRIANGULATION
STUDY PAGE 66 AND FOLLOW THE METHODS TO COMPLETE :-
1. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 1 - TUBING (2)

2. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 2 – FOLDING (4)

3. PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 3 – TRIANGULATION (4)

THE CELL PHONE TOWER ( PG 70 – 89 )

UNIT ONE – INVESTIGATING DESIGN ISSUES

1. STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

1. It would be a disaster if a structure had to collapse because of poor design or because it was built
using the wrong materials.
2. Cell towers are made of several different materials and it is important that these elements are
carefully designed and work together to create a stable structure .
3. When designing a structure engineers carefully examine the different members of the structure .
4. They analyse the functions of each part to make sure that each part does its job correctly.
5. The cell tower has several members

A. STRUTS
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
B. GUYS
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
C. TIE BEAMS
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
D. COLUMNS
______________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

2. REINFORCING TECHNIQUES
1. The structural elements are used to reinforce the overall structure.
2. Struts are used to triangulate sections and provide reinforcement .
3. the horizontal beams ( tie beams ) are used to reinforce the structure.

3. DESIGN ISSUES
1. VISUAL POLLUTION – not nice too look at , too many in one area , etc

2. STABILITY – will it fall over ?

3. BASE SIZE – a broader base increases stability.

4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY – gravity pulls everything towards the earth.