Materials
Different materials have vastly different properties. Briefly describe the strengths and weaknesses for each of the following:
Wood(spruce wood)- cost and a light weight. strengths: cheap, light weight and moderately strong in tension and compression. Weaknesses: Rots, swells and burns easily.
Steel(high strength steel)-iron with a touch of carbon. High cost and wight. Strengths: one of the strongest materials used in construction, strong in compression and tension. Weaknesses: rusts and losses strengths in extremely high temperatures.
Concrete (fine grain concrete)- made from cement, water and small stones. Strengths: cheap, fireproof and weather proof. Molds to any shape and strong in compression. Weaknesses: Cracks with temperature changes and weak in tension.
Plastic (high strength plastic)- Made from long chains of molecules. Strengths: flexible, lightweight, long lasting, strong in compression and tension. Weaknesses: expensive.