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01 Grade 8 Structures

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286 views

01 Grade 8 Structures

Uploaded by

tasneemsalie364
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Grade 8 Structures 2025

STRUCTURES
A structure is
 Something that has been built or made, or created.
 An object that has been put together in a particular way.
 Different structures have different functions. We can group structures based
on their functions.

Purposes of structures include


 Containing or protecting things.
For example a house, a cold drink can or bottle.
 Carrying or supporting a load.
For example a chair, a crane or a skeleton.
 To span a gap.
For example a bridge or a spider web.

Structures can be either man-made or natural.

Man-made structures are made by people hence the term man-made.


Examples include a bicycle, chair, crane.

Natural structures are found in the environment.


Examples include trees, spiderweb, caves.

ACTIVITY 1
Classify whether the following structures are natural or man-made:
1.1 – Tree
1.2 – Clay pot
1.3 – Car
1.4 – Plant
1.5 – House
1.6 – Sand
1.7 – Bridge

Mrs T. Salie Page 1 of 5


Grade 8 Structures 2025

TYPES OF STRUCTURES

1) Shell structures
A shell is used to enclose, hold, contain or protect something.
Examples are an egg or a bottle.
A shell structure has a hollow, curved shape.
Shell structures are strong and rigid, but they can also be very light.

2) Frame structures
Made up of parts, called members, which are joined together (parts or pieces of a
frame structure).
Examples are pylons, a crane, the human skeleton, a chair or window frames.
A frame structure uses a network, or skeleton, of materials that support each other.
Frame structures can be very strong. The parts of a frame work together to resist
forces. Frame structures are also lighter than solid structures.
A frame structure may have a membrane stretched over it, but the membrane does
not help support loads. For example, a tent may be made of a metal frame with
fabric stretched over it. The fabric does not help support loads.

3) Solid structures – Made up almost entirely of matter, throughout with same material.
Examples are a mountain (natural) or a brick (man-made).
A solid structure uses solid construction materials to support loads. A solid structure
usually has a large mass. A well-made solid structure can last a long time.

ACTIVITY 2
Find one example of each of the following structures:
2.1.1 – Shell structure
2.1.2 – Frame structure
2.1.3 – Solid structure

2.2.1 – Explain how structures help you in your everyday life


2.2.2 – Explain how a camping tent is first a frame structure, as well as a shell
structure.

Mrs T. Salie Page 2 of 5


Grade 8 Structures 2025

OTHER STRUCTURES

Complex structures are often combinations of different forms of structures. Different


structural forms can support different loads.

They can be a combination of a shell, frame or solid structure. Examples are a bird
cage, a kite, a rib cage.

ACTIVITY 3

3.1 What three forms can structures have? Give an example of each.
3.2 How does a frame structure support a load?
3.3 Which structural forms are found in the human body? Explain.

3.4 Classify each structure listed below. First work out if it is a natural or man-
made structure, then decide if it is a shell, frame or solid structure:

Natural Man- shell frame solid


made
3.4.1 – A washing line
3.4.2 – A kennel
3.4.3 – A crane
3.4.4 – An igloo
3.4.5 – A concrete wall
3.4.6 – A cave
3.4.7 – A rondavel
3.4.8 – A rock
3.4.9 – A chair
3.4.10 – A Zulu pot
3.4.11 – An apple
3.4.12 – A spiderweb

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Grade 8 Structures 2025

Shell structures
 A shell is a hard casing shaped into one piece.
 It provides strength, firmness and structure.
 Its function is to enclose, hold, contain orprotect its contents.
 Examples of shell structures: tortoise’s shell, eggshell and a cold drink can/
bottle

Frame structures

 A frame is a combination of different rigid parts/ members joined together in a


specific way.
 Some frame structures can carry a load for example a skeleton support the
body weight and a chair supports a person.
 Some frame structures can span a gap for example a bridge ora window
frame.

Solid structures.

 A solid structure is made almost entirely of matter/ material.


 They can also be called mass structures since they are made of the same
material throughout formed into a solid.
 A mountain, a brick and a wooden block are examples of solid structures.

ACTIVITY 4

4Match the word in column A with the description in column B

COLUMN A COLUMN B
4.1. House A. Solid structure
4.2. Clay brick B. Another word for material
4.3. Matter C. Shell structure
4.4. Natural D. Made from pieces called members
4.5. Frame E. Found in the environment

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Grade 8 Structures 2025

Mrs T. Salie Page 5 of 5

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