Art of Construction

Unit 10: Ropes and Cables

"Wires and strings are so flexible that one would not think they could be of much use in structures. But man's ingenuity has found ways and means of using materials strong in tension, by shaping them as thin, flexible ropes and cables, to build some of the largest structures in the world."

p. 75 Art of Construction



a single rope
What can be done with one rope?

two ropes and a board
What can be done with two ropes and some boards?

four ropes
What can happen with four ropes?

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Unit Navigation Unit 1: From Cave to Skyscraper Unit 2: Building a Tent Unit 3: What is a Beam? Unit 4: What Do We Build Structures With? Unit 5: The Floor of Your Room Unit 6: A Steel Frame Unit 7: Part of a Building You Don't See Unit 8: What Tornadoes, Earthquakes, and Temperature Can Do Unit 9: How to Fight Tornadoes and Earthquakes Unit 10: Ropes and Cables Salvadori Center Unit 13: Shape and Strength Unit 14: Barrels, Dishes, Butterflies, Bicycle Wheels and Eggs Unit 12: Strings and Sticks Unit 11: Sticks and Stones Unit 15: Balloons...and Back to the Tent