This document summarizes an experiment conducted in a Technology class to determine the most resistant and rigid structural sections. Students were divided into teams and built cardboard models of square, round, and triangular sections to test their resistance by placing books on top. They found that the circular section could support the most weight, making it the most resistant. The students also built two similar structures for each team, one with triangular reinforcement and one without, and tested their rigidity by adding loads. They determined that the triangulated structures were more rigid.

1. STRUCTURES
2º ESO A
IES VIRGEN DE COVADONGA
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

2. Two interesting and enjoyable experiences in
Technology class:
•Which is the most RESISTANT SECTION?
•Which is the most RIGID structure?

3. Patricia, Adrián and Rita
Yerai, Pilar, Alex and Deva
Marina, Elías, Adrián and Raquel
Every team designs and builds three
different cardboard sections:
SQUARE, ROUND
and TRIANGULAR sections.
SECTIONS

4. To check the resistance of
each section:
• Place a book on the top.
• If it resists, place more books
and...
How many books does
each section take?
Which one is the most resistant?
LET’S SEE!

5. It supports
more than
twenty books.
AMAZING!!
GREAT!!!
Deva, add one
more book,
please!
Now, we know
CIRCULAR
SECTION IS THE
MOST
RESISTANT ONE

6. TRIANGULATION
Every team makes two similar structures, with only
one difference between them.
One structure is a triangulated structure
while the other not.

7. Hold the structure from one vertex and add
loads to the oppossite vertex.
Look at
the pictures
What does it
happen?

8. Finally, every team compares triangulated
structures
It supports five
pencil cases and
one notebook
It supports three
pencil cases and one
notebook
Can you
see the
difference?
Rigidity also
depends on
the vertex
from where
you hold the
structure.