Technical Information on structures
Forces - Twisting
| Parts of many structures have to resist twisting, or torsion as it is correctly known. Torsion happens when the ends of a member are turned in opposite directions. |
||
 |
|| | |
Roll out your Blu-tak or plasticene again and hold both ends. Twist the ends in opposite directions and back again. If you pull at the same time and do this often enough the Blu-tak will thin out even more quickly then when simply pulled. Torsion can be very destructive. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge was destroyed by the twisting action created by high winds. The destruction of the bridge in 1940 was filmed by Barney Elliott and Harbine Monroe. Visit the Camera Shop website to find out more and view a short clip of the bridge collapse. |
||
Go back to Technical Information on Structure menu |
