1. Structural Components
When you look at buildings, you see many of the same features
We call these STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
They can: add strength AND be aesthetically pleasing

2. The Hockey Hall of Fame - Toronto
Structural components can be used alone or in combination
The windows and door are in the shape of an arch (this shape spreads the force of the load through both sides of the arch ad into the foundation)
The columns between the windows support beams on top; the triangle above the beam is similar to a truss

3. Beams – Strengthening Structures
Beams – A flat structure that is supported at each end; if
too much weight is put on a beam, it will bend or
even break in the middle
How to Strengthen Beams:
Change the material (wood, stone, concrete, steel etc)
Change its form (the type of beam)
Add Corrugation (folding the beam)
Add rebar (steel reinforcing rods)

4. I Beams – Changing the Form
I-Beam – its shape gives it strength.
They have less weight than solid beams of the same length
Because they have less of their own weight to support, they can support larger loads
Often used in building construction; structural support in ceilings and floors
Sometimes called I-joists

5. Corrugation (Think Folding)
When a sheet of metal or cardboard is shaped into a series of pleats, or triangles it is called corrugated metal or corrugated cardboard
Stronger than a flat sheet of material

6. Real Life Examples

7. Rebar – Strengthen Beams
Rebar – Steel reinforcing rods
Beams experience tension on top and tension on the bottom
Concrete can withstand a great deal of compression but is weak when it comes to tension. Rebar helps resist tensile forces
Concrete that contains rebar is called “reinforced concrete”
Made with ridges to ensure it grips the concrete
Rust resistant; Embedded in the concrete
Concrete and steel are used together because they contract and expand in regards to temperature in similar ways

8. Bottom right – rebar cage

9. Niagara Falls New York Viewing Platform
The Cantilever
Niagara Falls New York Viewing Platform

10. A beam that is only supported at one end
The Cantilever
A beam that is only supported at one end
When weight is placed on the other end of the beam, the beam bends in an n-shape to resist the load

12. Cantilever Bridges
cantilever bridges normally use pairs of cantilevers back to back
with a short beam bridge in between the cantilevers.
Modern motorways have cantilever bridges stretching
across them, they have a cantilever coming out from each
side and a beam bridge in between them.
Every bar experiences either a pushing or pulling force. The bars rarely bend. This is why cantilever bridges span further than beam bridges.

13. Supporting the Beam Tie, Strut, Gusset
Tie – a structural support that is part of the framework and designed to resist TENSION
Strut – similar to a tie, but is placed below a beam where it provides resistance to the forces of compression
(unlike columns, struts do not have to be vertical)
Gusset – a flat, plate like device, often triangular that often supports a beam by reinforcing the connection between the beam and the support base

15. Response Questions
1.) Briefly describe how a beam can be strengthened. What types of considerations would you need to think about?
(hint – consider form and function)
2.) How is a Cantilever different from a fully supported beam? List some everyday examples of where we would see cantilevers ( at least three).
3.) As you are out and about in Kingston, try to spot uses of ties, struts, gussets. Record the location of some of these examples/the type of structure that is supported