Grade 8 - Science

ABOUT
FORCES
 FORCES
Structures like bridges must be designed
to resist forces acting on them.
A force is anything that can cause a
change in an object.
Engineers and designers divide the forces
that act on structures into two types:
External Forces and Internal Forces
 Part 1

Internal Forces
External forces create internal forces within a structure.
There are four basic types of internal forces: tension,
compression, shear and torsion.
 Compression
Compression is a pushing force that
compacts or squeezes a material together.
 Compression
In bridges this causes the materials to withstand heavy
loads and forces without collapsing or deforming.

Compression is a key factor in ensuring that bridges can

safely support the weight of vehicles, pedestrians, and
other loads that pass over them.

Additionally, proper compression helps distribute the weight

evenly throughout the bridge, preventing any one section
from bearing too much stress.
 Tension
Tension is a pulling force that pulls
material apart.
 Tension
In bridges this causes the materials to stretch and bend,
bearing the weight and stress of the structure.

Engineers must carefully calculate and design bridges to

withstand the tension forces they will encounter. By using
materials with high tensile strength, such as steel, they can
ensure that bridges are safe and durable.
 Shear
Shear is a force that bends or tears a
material by pushing parts of the material in
opposite directions.
 Shear
In bridges this causes the different sections of the structure
to shift relative to each other, which can lead to structural
failure if not properly accounted for in the design and
construction process.

Engineers must carefully consider the effects of shear

forces when designing bridges to ensure that the materials
used can withstand these forces and maintain the overall
integrity of the bridge.
 Torsion
Torsion is a force that acts on a material
by twisting its ends in opposite directions.
 Torsion
In bridges this causes the material to experience torsional
stress, which can lead to structural instability if not properly
managed.

Engineers often incorporate design features such as

bracing, trusses, and cross-members to help counteract
torsional forces in bridges.
 Bending
Bending is a combination of tension
forces and compression forces that
result in a structure temporarily curving
e.g. a bow used to shoot an arrow.
 Bending
In bridges this causes the bridge to sag slightly in the
middle under the weight of vehicles or pedestrians
crossing it.

Engineers carefully calculate the bending forces to ensure

that the bridge can support the load without collapsing.