Model Description This in-class activity provides students the opportunity to participate in an interactive demonstration to visualize the concepts of soil pressure and potential effects on construction excavation support systems. In this demo, students are able to interact directly with small-scale models to exhibit the concepts of at rest (equilibrium) soil conditions, active soil pressure, […]
Model Description This demonstration illustrates the material property of thermal conductivity, and how this property affects conduction heat transfer in a solid. Concepts include Fourier’s Law, conservation of energy and solid-liquid phase change. This demonstration should take 8-10 minutes. Engineering Principle Fourier’s Law states that the heat transfer rate in a solid is proportional to […]
Model Description This demonstration illustrates how to concentrate radiant energy, solar or other, using a parabolic reflecting dish to produce high enough heat fluxes to burn paper. This demonstration should take 10 minutes. Engineering Principle The sun is located far enough from the earth that radiation arrives here in nearly parallel beams. A parabolic dish […]
Model Description This is a simple model that will demonstrate the use of zero force members (ZFM) in trusses. Wooden beams are attached with dowels to form a simple truss, which is acted on by an external force. The zero force members are identified by placing a load on a truss and then removing pins […]
Model Description This 3D model of a bridge is a model that is very close to a real representation of a bridge. It has a number of realistic features that cannot be shown with K’NEX or other simple structures. This demonstration should take 15-20 minutes. Engineering Principle Bridges are more than just trusses put together. […]
Model Description This is a simple demonstration to introduce the basic principles of truss behavior and analysis. It will show how the shape of a truss—and not necessarily its weight/material—determines its stability. A simple truss design will be used to show that triangles are the important stability shape used in trusses rather than squares or […]
Model Description This is a simple demonstration to show how tension and compression affect members of trusses. A wacky fun noodle (tube floatation device) will be used to demonstrate the effects of tension and compression on axial members. Students pull or push each end to display the desired behavior. This demonstration should take 5-10 minutes. […]
Model Description Introduce Varignon’s theorem to students as a simple way to determine the moment about a point. This demonstration should take 5-7 minutes. Engineering Principle Varignon’s Theorem states that the moment of a force is equal to the sum of the moments of that force’s components about the same point. where is the perpendicular […]
Model Description This is an opportunity to hang something from the ceiling and excite the students about their ability to analyze real world structures. After a few weeks of statics lessons, students possess the ability to determine the maximum and minimum force in a cable suspension bridge through equations of equilibrium. This demonstration should take […]
Model Description This training aid provides an example of what the students already know intuitively about mechanical advantage and applied moment. By using a dial torque wrench, units and physical measurement are readily observable and subject to discussion. This demonstration should take 5 minutes. Engineering Principle What You Need Item Quantity Description/Clarification Secure Bolt (Fig. […]