1. Types of Structures
1.1. Shell Structures
1.1.1. Shell structures are hollow and have a curved shape. Shell structures are strong and rigid but they can be very light. Some examples are eggs and bicycle helmets.
1.2. Solid Structures
1.2.1. A solid structure uses solid construction materials and to support heavy loads. Solid structures are the heaviest out of the 4 types. An example is a concrete dam.
1.3. Frame Structures
1.3.1. A frame structure uses a frame network or a skeleton like frame to support weight. If one bar was weakening it would spread the compression to other bars or pillars to even out the weight. A frame structure may have a membrane over it but that doesn't support loads.
1.4. Combination Structures
1.4.1. Combination structures are a mix of all of the different kinds of structures. An example of a combination structure is the human body. The head is a shell while the body and rib cage is a frame structure.
2. Internal forces
2.1. Compression
2.1.1. Is when you squeeze something on opposite ends.
2.2. Tension
2.2.1. Is when two opposite forces pull apart from each other. For example the stretching of an elastic band.
2.3. Shear
2.3.1. Shear is when two parallel forces acting on opposite directions are working on a part in a structure. The effects of shear are tearing or when you squeeze the object responds by becoming smaller.
2.4. Torsion
2.4.1. Torsion is when you apply a rotational force to any part of a structure if the part is anchored it will result in torsional forces. An example is twisting a wet dish cloth.
3. Loads
3.1. Static Loads
3.1.1. Static loads have two components those are dead loads and live loads.
3.1.1.1. Dead Loads
3.1.1.1.1. The dead load of any structure is caused by the force of gravity making the load the structure itself. This doesn't change.
3.1.1.2. Live Loads
3.1.1.2.1. For example for a bicycle rider the static load is the rider himself. It may be caused by gravity but, it can vary. Some riders are heavy while some are light but some bicycles have no rider so there is no live load.
3.2. Dynamic Loads
3.2.1. Dynamic loads are an additional push or pull. They are other forces you must exert into a structure.
4. External Forces
4.1. Point of Aplication
4.1.1. The part of an object where you make contact on it. Examples includes the center, bottom, etc
4.2. Angle
4.2.1. Angle the force is applied.
4.3. Magnitude
4.3.1. How hard or soft you apply the force to the object. High magnitude means for example a lot of force is applied.
4.4. Direction
4.4.1. Direction is which way you apply the force. The direction could be right, left, backwards, forwards, etc.
5. Form & Function
5.1. Form
5.1.1. Form is the way the structure is built.
5.2. Function
5.2.1. The function needs to be decided before the form is so that you build it accordingly. Function can also be based on what the structure does. If it's made to hold certain weights that's an example.