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 This physical model demonstrates how cables subjected to concentrated point loads establish equilibrium through geometry – i.e., the slope of each cable segment will change (as will the support reactions) as different loads are placed on the cable. This demonstration should take 10-20 minutes. Engineering Principle Cables subjected to concentrated loads are a […]
Model Description This demonstration shows the simplicity of a truss. The equipment consists of a single triangle made of two rulers and string – forming a truss. The truss is held on two desks by students and given a load by another student. This shows the innate strength of the simple triangular shape used in […]
Model Description Introduce the concept of Moment and couples to your students by providing hands-on examples that they can relate to. Demonstrate how levers use the concept of moment to provide a mechanical advantage. This demonstration should take 5-10 minutes. Engineering Principle The Moment caused by a force about any point is defined by the […]
Model Description Investigate slipping and tipping for Coulomb Friction. This demonstration should take 5-10 minutes. Engineering Principle These training aids provide a vehicle to discover the need to consideration three possibilities when investigating friction problems: 1) Nothing happens 2) Slipping occurs, 3) Tipping occurs. What You Need Item Quantity Description/Clarification Ramp 1 A board or […]
Model Description Investigate belt friction. This demonstration should take 3-5 minutes. Engineering Principle These training aids provide a vehicle to discover the forces acting on a belt or rope when pulled over a fixed drum. The basic equation for belt friction: where coefficient of friction (either static or kinetic and angle of surface contact between […]
Model Description This is a simple and rapid demonstration of the perpendicular and parallel components of a force vector on an inclined plane. By weighing a student or instructor first on the floor and then at some inclination, a “loss of weight” is observed. This demonstration should take 5-8 minutes. Engineering Principle Spring scales are […]
Model Description: This is a simple demonstration of the phases of a collision for central impact. Two squeeze balls are used to show the phases. This demonstration should take 3-5 minutes. Engineering Principle: Two objects in a head-on or rear-end collision (“central impact”) will deform as they collide. At the time of maximum deformation, they […]
Overview This is a demonstration of the basic principles underlying the behavior of rotating bodies. A cylinder “race” is used to show that the closer the mass of an object is concentrated to an axis of rotation, the faster it will spin because it has a lower moment of inertia, which is a measure of […]