POST NUMBER 4: Structures
A structure is something that has been made or built. Structures are not just buildings and really structures are everywhere, in the natural world too. For example, a spider's web or honey-comb are examples of natural structures while a house or a wall are man-made structures. A structure is not only a big construction but even small simple things that you see and use everyday and everywhere.
A handbag or a pencil case and even a football is a structure. Most structures are built for a special purpose for example a bag to keep things or a bridge to cross a river. But natural structures can happen by accident and over long periods of time, for example stalactites in caves. Basically , structures are EVERYWHERE!
Structures can have many uses and usually help us in our everyday lives.ALL structures have certain things, which are a definite shape and size and a definite purpose. A structure will serve a specific function so its shape and size will depend on the function. A structure has to resist pressure and forces. A bridge needs to be made of strong materials to support the weight above it. Here are some of the main uses of structures that you might see on a normal day. In your home, there is furniture( tables, chairs, sofas) to support you and make you more comfortable. A bookshelf is used to store books. The stairs outside are to help you get up and down. You might have a lift which would be
a mechanical structure to make access faster. Outside there are walls to protect the buildings and lamposts to give light. Different structures have different functions but one thing they all have in common is that they are built and designed with special materials and shapes to make sure the they serve the function.
NATURAL STRUCTURES
Natural structures can be of many different shapes and sizes and you can find them anywhere in the natural world. A bird's nest is made carefully by a bird with sticks and straw with a special shape to protect its eggs and chicks. It has to resist the weight and the force of the wind. A glacier is a natural structure that results from ice and changes in temperature. A bee makes a special geometric shape honeycomb structure, with holes that fit the size of a bee.
On land there are many rock formations and cliffs caused by erosion of the sea and wind. A natural structure that really impressed me is the Stone Forest of China. My mam worked in China one summer and when she sent me the photos I was amazed.
Geologists say the Stone Forest is over 200 million years old and used to be under the sea.
Erosion and weathering has shaped the rocks into long needles which appear to have faces or animal forms. Here is a link STONE FOREST in CHINA.
MAN-MADE or MANUFACTURED STRUCTURES
Man-made structures are all those that have been built or made by man. From the first walls to protect a cave entrance in prehistoric time to super modern bridges over rivers man has always made structures to make life easier or better. Nowadays , many structures are for pleasure for example the London Eye. Man-made structures can be classified into 3 groups depending on their design. They can be mass, frame or shell structures.
Mass is when lots of material is accumulated for example a sand castle, or a brick wall.
These structures are made of stone or brick for example and are very resistant to weather and pressure.
Frame structures have a skeleton or main part supporting other parts. Houses have columns and beams which support wood, ceilings etc. An umbrella is a frame structure. Bridges across rivers can have an arched shape structure. The Tyne bridge in Newcastle is made of tons of metal , very resistant to support the weight of cars,buses and lorries. Here is a photo.
The Tyne Bridge is the blue one and the red and white one is a SWING BRIDGE that moves to let ships go up and down the river.
Shell structures are usually empty on the inside and are used for containing things. So shell structures can be things like bags, an ice igloo or even a canoe. A shell structure can be heavy. Imagine an old canoe made from a log. These are more modern light canoes but the structure is the same.
MY FAVOURITE STRUCTURE
Well, I have two really. The man-made one is the GREAT WALL OF CHINA. I think it is amazing because of its size-the longest wall ever built-over 21,196 kilometres!!!!!!! To think that a structure started over 2000 years ago is still remaining( well parts of it) is INCREDIBLE!
The purpose was to protect their border and stop enemies getting in and also has fortresses and small towers. I would love to go there one day. The main forces the wall of China has to resist nowadays are erosion from the wind and rain.
The other structure I love is a natural one and I discovered it doing a project in Na Caragol with Miquel Nebot. It is a TUNNEL TREE!!
TUNNEL TREE
But sad news! I have just heard that a storm knocked the tree down. It was very old and no longer resistant to the weather! Extreme weather can destroy both natural and man-made structures-
ALL IMAGES ON THIS POST ARE FROM PIXABAY www.pixabay.com
A structure is something that has been made or built. Structures are not just buildings and really structures are everywhere, in the natural world too. For example, a spider's web or honey-comb are examples of natural structures while a house or a wall are man-made structures. A structure is not only a big construction but even small simple things that you see and use everyday and everywhere.
A handbag or a pencil case and even a football is a structure. Most structures are built for a special purpose for example a bag to keep things or a bridge to cross a river. But natural structures can happen by accident and over long periods of time, for example stalactites in caves. Basically , structures are EVERYWHERE!
Structures can have many uses and usually help us in our everyday lives.ALL structures have certain things, which are a definite shape and size and a definite purpose. A structure will serve a specific function so its shape and size will depend on the function. A structure has to resist pressure and forces. A bridge needs to be made of strong materials to support the weight above it. Here are some of the main uses of structures that you might see on a normal day. In your home, there is furniture( tables, chairs, sofas) to support you and make you more comfortable. A bookshelf is used to store books. The stairs outside are to help you get up and down. You might have a lift which would be
a mechanical structure to make access faster. Outside there are walls to protect the buildings and lamposts to give light. Different structures have different functions but one thing they all have in common is that they are built and designed with special materials and shapes to make sure the they serve the function.
NATURAL STRUCTURES
Natural structures can be of many different shapes and sizes and you can find them anywhere in the natural world. A bird's nest is made carefully by a bird with sticks and straw with a special shape to protect its eggs and chicks. It has to resist the weight and the force of the wind. A glacier is a natural structure that results from ice and changes in temperature. A bee makes a special geometric shape honeycomb structure, with holes that fit the size of a bee.
Erosion and weathering has shaped the rocks into long needles which appear to have faces or animal forms. Here is a link STONE FOREST in CHINA.
MAN-MADE or MANUFACTURED STRUCTURES
Man-made structures are all those that have been built or made by man. From the first walls to protect a cave entrance in prehistoric time to super modern bridges over rivers man has always made structures to make life easier or better. Nowadays , many structures are for pleasure for example the London Eye. Man-made structures can be classified into 3 groups depending on their design. They can be mass, frame or shell structures.
Mass is when lots of material is accumulated for example a sand castle, or a brick wall.
Frame structures have a skeleton or main part supporting other parts. Houses have columns and beams which support wood, ceilings etc. An umbrella is a frame structure. Bridges across rivers can have an arched shape structure. The Tyne bridge in Newcastle is made of tons of metal , very resistant to support the weight of cars,buses and lorries. Here is a photo.
Shell structures are usually empty on the inside and are used for containing things. So shell structures can be things like bags, an ice igloo or even a canoe. A shell structure can be heavy. Imagine an old canoe made from a log. These are more modern light canoes but the structure is the same.
Well, I have two really. The man-made one is the GREAT WALL OF CHINA. I think it is amazing because of its size-the longest wall ever built-over 21,196 kilometres!!!!!!! To think that a structure started over 2000 years ago is still remaining( well parts of it) is INCREDIBLE!
The other structure I love is a natural one and I discovered it doing a project in Na Caragol with Miquel Nebot. It is a TUNNEL TREE!!
TUNNEL TREE
But sad news! I have just heard that a storm knocked the tree down. It was very old and no longer resistant to the weather! Extreme weather can destroy both natural and man-made structures-
ALL IMAGES ON THIS POST ARE FROM PIXABAY www.pixabay.com
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