Technology Test
Structures and Structural Elements Test
50 Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is a structure defined as? a) A rigid object made from heavy materials
b) A set of elements arranged in a way that is appropriate for supporting the
weight of a body and maintaining its shape, despite external forces that may
act on it c) Any object constructed by humans d) A building with a proper
foundation
2. Which example correctly represents a natural structure? a) The Taj Mahal b) A
honeycomb c) The Brooklyn Bridge d) A skyscraper
3. What is the main structural element in mass structures? a) Lintels b)
Hexagons c) Stay cables d) Very heavy materials (stones, cement, etc.)
4. The shell of an egg is an example of: a) A laminar structure b) A frame
structure c) A strong natural structure d) A geodesic structure
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of trabeated structures? a) They are
made of very heavy materials b) They use a horizontal beam placed on
vertical supports c) They are held in place by stay cables d) They are formed
by triangles that form pentagons or hexagons
6. Stonehenge is an example of which type of structure? a) Mass structure b)
Trabeated structure c) Geodesic structure d) Cable-stayed structure
7. What is a lintel? a) A vertical support used in bridges b) A horizontal beam
placed on vertical supports c) A triangular element in geodesic domes d) A
material used in mass structures
8. When designing a structure, what must be combined with the minimum
amount of material? a) Maximum cost b) Maximum weight c) Maximum
strength d) Maximum flexibility
9. What is the primary purpose of a structure? a) To look aesthetically pleasing
b) To fulfill its function as economically and lightweight as possible c) To
demonstrate architectural innovation d) To last for centuries
10.Bending is caused by: a) Three forces acting in the same direction b) Two
forces acting on a body, tending to flex or bend it c) One force acting in
multiple directions d) Four forces acting in opposite directions
11.In structures subjected to bending, how many forces are needed to represent
a bend? a) Two b) Three c) Four d) One
12.Which of these is an example of a structure subjected to bending? a) A key
opening a lock b) Scissors cutting paper c) The shelves of a bookcase d) A
column supporting a building
13.Torsion is caused by: a) Two oppositely directed forces acting on a body,
tending to twist it b) Three forces acting in the same direction c) One force
acting in multiple directions d) Compression along the vertical axis
14.Which example demonstrates torsion? a) A shelf supporting books b)
Wringing out a cloth c) A beam supporting a floor d) Scissors cutting paper
15.Shear is defined as: a) Forces acting to compress a body b) Forces acting to
stretch a body c) Two oppositely directed forces acting on a body along very
close lines of action, tending to cut it d) Three forces acting to bend a body
16.When using scissors to cut paper, what type of stress is being applied? a)
Bending b) Torsion c) Shear d) Buckling
17.Buckling is a phenomenon that occurs in: a) Beams and shelves b) Cables
and wires c) Pillars and columns d) Joints and connections
18.Under what condition does buckling occur? a) Tension b) Shear c) Torsion d)
Compression
19.What must architects know to prevent breakage in a pillar or column? a) The
maximum shear stress of materials b) The breaking point of different
materials c) The torsional resistance of materials d) The bending moment of
materials
20.Laminar structures are made up of: a) Sheets that form a protective housing
b) Heavy stones and cement c) Cables and supports d) Triangles forming
hexagons
21.Which of these is an example of a laminar structure? a) The Golden Gate
Bridge b) The body of a car c) The Montreal Biosphere d) The Parthenon
22.Who invented geodesic structures? a) Richard Buckminster Fuller b) Antoni
Gaudí c) Frank Lloyd Wright d) Le Corbusier
23.When were geodesic structures patented? a) 1932 b) 1945 c) 1954 d) 1967
24.Geodesic structures are formed by: a) Sheets of metal b) Triangles that form
pentagons or hexagons c) Cables attached to supports d) Lintels on vertical
supports
25.The structural element of geodesic structures is: a) Triangular frames b)
Hexagons c) Stay cables d) Sheets
26.Cable-stayed or suspension structures are held in place by: a) Concrete
foundations b) Heavy beams c) Stay cables d) Metal sheets
27.Stay cables are typically made from: a) Wood b) Concrete c) Steel d)
Aluminum
28.Which of these is an example of a cable-stayed structure? a) The Pyramid of
Teotihuacan b) The Golden Gate Bridge c) The Burj Khalifa d) The Karnak
Temple
29.The structure of a building is its: a) Outer appearance b) Frame c) Foundation
d) Size
30.The structure of our bodies is our: a) Skeleton b) Muscles c) Skin d) Height
31.What is the primary role of structures in animals? a) To provide protection b)
To allow movement and give shape c) To store energy d) To regulate
temperature
32.A folding chair is an example of: a) A rigid structure b) An artificial articulated
structure c) A natural articulated structure d) A geodesic structure
33.The bones and ligaments in an ankle form: a) A rigid structure b) A natural
articulated structure c) An artificial articulated structure d) A truss structure
34.What defines whether structures are rigid or articulated? a) The materials
they are made from b) Their size and weight c) Whether or not they allow
movement between the rigid parts composing them d) Their function
35.Which function of a structure is exemplified by the ribs of an umbrella? a)
Give shape to the object b) Withstand forces c) Protect d) Create spaces
36.A bookcase withstanding the weight of books demonstrates which function of
structures? a) Give shape b) Withstand forces by maintaining the shape c)
Create spaces d) Cross spaces
37.Which function of structures is exemplified by the body of a car? a) Give
shape b) Withstand forces c) Protect d) Raise
38.Construction cranes exemplify which function of structures? a) Give shape b)
Withstand forces c) Raise d) Create spaces
39.The dam of a reservoir exemplifies which function of structures? a) Protect b)
Raise c) Create spaces d) Cross spaces
40.Bridges exemplify which function of structures? a) Give shape b) Withstand
forces c) Create spaces d) Cross spaces
41.A honeycomb is formed by: a) Circular cells b) Square cells c) Hexagonal cells
d) Triangular cells
42.According to the text, bridges can be classified as: a) Natural structures b)
Artificial structures c) Both natural and artificial structures d) Neither natural
nor artificial structures
43.What is the main structural element of a mass structure? a) Lintels b) Very
heavy materials c) Stay cables d) Hexagons
44.When a person is sitting in a chair, the chair is subjected to: a) Torsion b)
Shear c) Compressive stress d) Bending only
45.For a structure to be economical and lightweight, what two factors need to be
combined? a) Maximum strength and minimum materials b) Maximum
materials and minimum strength c) Maximum weight and minimum strength
d) Maximum materials and minimum weight
46.The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China is notable for: a) Being the
tallest bridge b) Being 168 km long c) Being the oldest bridge d) Using
geodesic design
47.What type of structure is characterized by globe-shaped structures formed by
triangles? a) Mass structure b) Trabeated structure c) Geodesic structure d)
Laminar structure
48.Beams at the point of support undergo: a) Torsion stress b) Bending stress c)
Shear stress d) Compression stress only
49.The fuselage of an aircraft is an example of: a) A geodesic structure b) A
laminar structure c) A mass structure d) A trabeated structure
50.A key opening a lock is subjected to: a) Shear b) Torsion c) Bending d)
Compression
Second Part
Structural Engineering Test
Based on Basic Knowledge: Understanding Structures
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Instructions
Select the best answer for each question. Each question has only one correct
answer.
1. For a structure to be considered safe, it must behave appropriately when: A)
Only under planned loads B) Only under unplanned loads C) Under both
planned and unplanned loads D) Only during its construction phase
2. Which statement best simplifies the concept of strength in structures? A) A
structure with strength can deform easily B) A structure with strength will not
break C) A structure with strength can always collapse but recover D) A
structure with strength must be rigid
3. The concept of stability in structures means: A) The structure will never break
under any circumstances B) The structure will not collapse C) The structure
can withstand infinite forces D) The structure will always remain rigid
4. Rigidity in structures refers to: A) The structure's ability to withstand extreme
temperatures B) The structure's resistance to breaking C) The structure's
ability to not deform D) The structure's ability to not collapse
5. If a structure fails in rigidity, what is the potential impact on other structural
properties? A) No impact on other properties B) Only stability will be affected
C) Only strength will be affected D) All three conditions (strength, stability,
and rigidity) might fail
6. The strength, stability and rigidity of a structure depend on: A) Only the types
of forces involved B) Only the point where forces are applied C) Only the
shape of the structure D) Forces, point of application, shape, and materials
7. What caused the Tacoma Bridge to collapse in 1940? A) Excessive weight on
the structure B) Poor materials used in construction C) A resonance effect
caused by the air D) Intentional demolition
8. In physics, a force is defined as: A) The weight of a structure B) The pressure
exerted by wind C) An influence that can deform a body or change its
movement D) The strength of structural materials
9. When describing structures, forces are often called: A) Stresses B) Loads C)
Impacts D) Pressures
10.For a structure to perform its function, it must: A) Change its resting status
when forces act on it B) Not deform when forces act on it C) Increase its
weight distribution D) Transfer all forces to the ground
11.The internal tensions that a body is subjected to when different forces act on
it are called: A) Loads B) Impacts C) Stresses D) Movements
12.Using the example of leaning on a table, the difference between force and
stress is: A) Force is what we exert on the table, stress is what the table
experiences B) Force is internal, stress is external C) Force has direction,
stress does not D) Force is measured in newtons, stress in pascals
13.The basic stresses that a structure may need to withstand include: A) Weight,
pressure, and impact B) Force, load, and tension C) Compression, tension,
bending, torsion, and shear D) Push, pull, twist, and bend
14.Compression stress is caused by: A) Forces pulling in opposite directions B)
Forces acting perpendicular to an object C) Forces acting to twist an object D)
Oppositely directed forces tending to flatten or reduce length
15.When a person sits on a chair, the chair legs experience: A) Tension stress B)
Compressive stress C) Bending stress D) Torsion stress
16.Tension (or traction) stress is caused by: A) Two forces pushing toward each
other B) Two oppositely directed forces tending to stretch C) A twisting
motion D) A sliding motion
17.The stay cables used in bridges are primarily subjected to: A) Compression B)
Tension C) Torsion D) Shear
18.Arches and vaults are formed by: A) Concrete reinforced with steel B) Stone
blocks supported by their own weight C) Triangular elements and trusses D)
Pillars and beams
19.The difference between an arch and a vault is: A) An arch is made of stone
while a vault is made of concrete B) An arch is linear while a vault is
superficial C) An arch is stronger than a vault D) A vault is always outdoors
while an arch is always indoors
20.What is a truss? A) A building element made up of bars arranged to form
triangular structures B) A type of roof made exclusively of wood C) A concrete
foundation element D) A stone structure used in ancient buildings
21.Trussed structures are characterized as: A) Heavy but extremely durable B)
Lightweight but sturdy C) Only suitable for small structures D) Unable to
withstand tension forces
22.Examples of trussed structures include: A) Dams and bridges B) Pyramids and
ancient monuments C) Cranes and electricity pylons D) Most modern houses
23.Frame structures are formed by: A) Stone blocks arranged in patterns B)
Triangular elements tied together C) Pillars and beams connected to each
other D) Canvas stretched by compressed air
24.In frame structures, what are pillars? A) Horizontal elements supporting the
weight of floors B) Diagonal elements connecting beams C) Vertical elements
that support beams and the rest of the structure D) Cylindrical elements
found only in ancient architecture
25.In frame structures, beams are: A) Always made of steel B) Vertical elements
supporting the roof C) Diagonal supports for earthquake resistance D)
Horizontal elements supporting the weight of floors and ceilings
26.A column in a frame structure is: A) A horizontal support element B) A
cylindrical pillar C) Only found in classical architecture D) Always hidden
within walls
27.Inflatable structures are formed by: A) Light metals arranged in geodesic
patterns B) Concrete shells filled with air C) Canvases stretched by
compressed air D) Plastic molded into dome shapes
28.Inflatable structures have been primarily developed for: A) Permanent
residential buildings B) Industrial warehouses C) Pavilions, shelters, and
emergency architecture D) Underground construction
29.What is a structural element common to all structures? A) Steel frames B)
Foundations C) Concrete pillars D) Trusses
30.Foundations are: A) Elements connecting walls to roofs B) Elements of
reinforced concrete set into the ground to spread weight C) Steel supports
wrapped in concrete D) Required only for buildings taller than three stories
True/False
Structural Engineering - True/False Questions
Based on Basic Knowledge: Understanding Structures
Name: ______________________
Date: ______________________
Instructions
Mark each statement as either True (T) or False (F).
1. ____ A structure that does not break has met the requirements for strength,
but may still fail in terms of stability or rigidity.
2. ____ When describing structures, the terms "force" and "load" are often used
interchangeably.
3. ____ The Tacoma Bridge collapsed primarily because too much weight was
placed on it during its four months of use.
4. ____ Stress is the external application of force, while force is the internal
reaction within a structure.
5. ____ A column in a building is primarily subjected to tension stress rather than
compressive stress.
6. ____ The difference between an arch and a vault is that an arch is linear while
a vault is superficial (an arch moving along a straight line would draw a
vault).
7. ____ Trussed structures are characterized by bars arranged to form triangular
elements, making them both lightweight and sturdy.
8. ____ In frame structures, beams are vertical elements while pillars are
horizontal elements.
9. ____ Inflatable structures can only be used temporarily and cannot serve as
emergency architecture after disasters.
10.____ Foundations are necessary for all types of structures and are typically
made of reinforced concrete to spread the weight of the structure.
Part II
1. A structure's primary purpose is to minimize the amount of material used
without regard to strength.
2. A structure is a set of elements arranged in a way that is appropriate for
supporting the weight of a body and maintaining its shape.
3. The definition of a structure includes its ability to withstand forces that may
act on it.
4. Bending forces require only two forces to represent a bend.
5. In structures with bending forces, the weight force is always directed upward.
6. Torsion is caused by two forces acting in the same direction on a body.
7. When wringing out a cloth, we subject it to torsion.
8. Shear is caused by forces acting on opposite sides of a body with parallel
lines of action.
9. When using scissors to cut paper, the blades produce two close and
oppositely directed forces.
10.Buckling occurs primarily in horizontal structures rather than vertical ones.
11.Pillars and columns work under compression forces.
12.Architects must consider the breaking point of materials to prevent buckling.
13.When designing a structure, combining minimum strength with maximum
material is ideal.
14.The purpose of structures includes giving shape to objects, like the ribs of an
umbrella.
15.Structures are designed to withstand forces by maintaining their shape.
16.Creating spaces is not a function of structures.
17.Articulated structures do not allow movement between their rigid parts.
18.A folding chair is an example of a natural articulated structure.
19.The ankle joint is considered a natural articulated structure.
20.The structure of a building is its frame, similar to how a skeleton is the
structure of our bodies.
