Architects/Engineers...?

Question

I have to conduct this interview for my geometry class. We're building a structure out of 10 file folders, and when we test it, it must hold at least 45 pounds. I'm supposed to interview someone with some expertise on the subject of building structures. Here are the interview questions:

What is your name?

How are you qualified/what is your job?

How does geometry affect your work?

What should we know about tension, compression, equilibrium, and rigidity?

What geometric shapes work well in buildings that support a lot of weight?

What designs are most suitable for tall, weight bearing buildings?

How does the structure of a building affect its strength?

How would a design change once a building's height is increased?

What type of building codes might be able to help us in the building of our structure?

What historical buildings would be a good basis for our design?

How would you begin to design a structure with our materials and guidelines?



Thanks!

Answer 1

That's a long question.

My name is John, I'm an engineer with construction and structural engineering background. I am now CEO of a technology company.
As an engineer and in construction, geometry is critical in designing the structural members that will support a building.

All four contribute to the understanding of the strength of materials and the forces that act on structural members in a building.

geometric shapes that support alot of weight are vertical beams and horizontal beams that for 3-d rectangular shapes. Cylinders also have alot of strength, more than rectangles, they don't utilize space very well, though if there is intended to be usage inside.

Other structural member shapes are I-beams and H-beams.

The structure of the building is the foundation (so to speak) of the strength of the building.

As the building gets taller, it must be designed to absorb lateral forces like wind and earthquakes. The taller the building the longer the "moment arm", which is like a fulcrum or seasaw, which magnifies forces at the base of the building.

Your local county will have the structural building codes for your area.

Look at the Johnson and Johnson Tower in Chicago.
Also, conside rthe World Trade Center and the forces the buildings were subjected to as a result of the terrorist attacks with commercial aircraft on the buildings.

Also look at bridges like the Golden Gate Bridge.

The simplest, and most fun, would be to make some shapes and perform sonme tests. I would recommend a honeycomb structure. Start by making an X of two file folvers. Set the X on the floor and put anoth folder on top to make a "roof". Now put a can of soup on the top - it is holding about 1 lb. Keep adding cans of soup until it collapses. Now you know the strength of one file folder. Take the number of cans and divide by four. This gives you the safe # pounds one x holds. Divide 45 by the # and see if it is less than 5. If it is, then your ten folders will create the necessary structure using this shape.

Answer 2

it's a very long question