Hands-on Activity Modeling Loads on Structures Using "Human Molecules”

Learning Objectives

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.

Educational Standards

Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards.

All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN), a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org).

In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g., by state; within source by type; e.g., science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc.

Common Core State Standards - Math

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology

State Standards

Materials List

Just a class of students!

Introduction/Motivation

Have you ever seen a collapsed building or a collapsed bridge? What happened? Why did it fail?

Materials and structures can sometimes fail when subjected to large enough loads. Each different type of load can cause its own type of failure. Stresses, fatigue and failure can sometimes be seen with your eyes by looking at the surface of the member or structure. However, the movement of tiny individual molecules is where the real failure begins.

Procedure

Modeling Loads on Structures Using "Human Molecules"

For this activity, each person represents a molecule of steel inside a steel bar and their arms represent the internal bonding forces that hold molecules together. A molecule is the smallest piece of steel that can exist with the chemical and physical properties of steel – billions of molecules link together in lines to make a piece of steel.

1. Form two lines of 10 people each, lining up side by side, facing each other (see Figure 1). These two lines represent a structural element. Each person must use his/her left hand to hold hands with the person whom they are facing in the other line. Then, each person locks his/her right arm around the arm of the person on his/her right.

   

2. Four other students act as an applied load. The applied load can either be in tension (pulling) or compression (pushing). If students are pulling, a positive force is applied (indicated by an arrow pointed out to the right, as seen above). If students are pushing, a negative force is applied (arrow pointed inwards to the left). Position one student at each end of both lines, and have them pull with equal force (if possible). Have the students pay attention to what they are feeling while the molecules are being pushed and pulled. Next, form the same lines again, but have the four people applying the loads push equally on each line end. The job of the molecules is to try to maintain their original formation, like a solid, non-elastic object.

Group Discussion

1. What type of load did you model this time?
2. What did it feel like to be a molecule inside the material?

   

3. Now have the "applied load" students pull one line of molecules to the left, and the other line of molecules to the right (as shown in Figure 2).

Vocabulary/Definitions

elastic: The ability of an object to return quickly to its original shape and size after being bent, stretched or squashed.

fracture: A break, split or crack in an object or a material.

inelastic: The inability of an object to return quickly to its original shape and size after being bent, stretched or squashed.

Assessment

Evaluate students for participation in group discussions and answering questions.

Investigating Questions

Group discussion questions are embedded in the Procedure section.

• Describe the fundamental loads and the effect each load (of force) has on a structure or structural member (or component).
• Give real life examples of tension, compression, shear, bending and torsion.

Copyright

Supporting Program

Acknowledgements

Creation of this activity was funded by Pratt & Whitney.