IB Design Technology Topic A3.2.2 Classification of Structures Revision Notes (HL)

IB Design Technology Topic A3.2.2 Classification of Structures Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

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Structures are classified as frame, shell or solid by where their strength comes from

Three families cover almost every structure:

Frame: strength from a braced skeleton of members.
Shell: strength from a thin curved surface.
Solid: strength from a dense mass of material.

Frame structures: strength from a skeleton

Definition

Frame Structure

A structure made of beams and columns that can support its own weight without needing an outer shell.

A frame carries loads through a network of beams and rods, not a solid wall, so it stays light and material-efficient.
Triangulation is the trick: a square frame can rack into a parallelogram under load, but a diagonal brace splits it into rigid triangles that hold their shape.
Used where rigidity per unit weight matters: skyscrapers, bridges, cranes, bicycles and aircraft seats.

Shell structures: strength from a curve

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

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Note

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Tip

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Structures are classified as frame, shell or solid by where their strength comes from

Three families cover almost every structure:

Frame: strength from a braced skeleton of members.
Shell: strength from a thin curved surface.
Solid: strength from a dense mass of material.

Frame structures: strength from a skeleton

Definition

Frame Structure

A structure made of beams and columns that can support its own weight without needing an outer shell.

A frame carries loads through a network of beams and rods, not a solid wall, so it stays light and material-efficient.
Triangulation is the trick: a square frame can rack into a parallelogram under load, but a diagonal brace splits it into rigid triangles that hold their shape.
Used where rigidity per unit weight matters: skyscrapers, bridges, cranes, bicycles and aircraft seats.

Shell structures: strength from a curve

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

A. Design in theory8 subtopics

B. Design in practice8 subtopics

C. Design in context8 subtopics

IB Design Technology Topic A3.2.2: Classification of Structures Notes

A. Design in theory8 subtopics

B. Design in practice8 subtopics

C. Design in context8 subtopics

Structures are classified as frame, shell or solid by where their strength comes from

Frame structures: strength from a skeleton

Shell structures: strength from a curve

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Structures are classified as frame, shell or solid by where their strength comes from

Frame structures: strength from a skeleton

Shell structures: strength from a curve

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account