Complete Experiments: Structures
Capstone 'EX' experiments include all the apparatus, sensors (when needed), manuals, and PASCO Capstone files you'll need in your student physics lab. For your convenience, we've listed all the downloadable files for each experiment below.
Grade Level: College
Subject: Engineering
Activities
01) Basic Bridges
Learn about bridges through exploration. Discover how the tension or compression in beams varies in different bridge designs.
02) Shaking Tower
In Part I, the tower is made to oscillate in its various resonance modes by a driver attached by a rubber band to the first floor of the tower. Wireless Load Cells with Accelerometers are attached to each floor to record how much shaking each floor experiences. In Part II, a damping pendulum is added to the top of the tower and the damping is measured. In modern buildings, passive damping mechanisms are installed to damp out oscillations during earthquakes.
03) Bridge Vibrations
To study the resonant modes of a tied arch bridge, the bridge is first hit with a hammer or your hand. An FFT of the resulting vibrations are examined to find resonant modes. Then the bridge is driven with a sinusoidal force having each of the resonant frequencies.
