Science of Architecture, The (8 Parts)

Synopsis

NB. THIS SERIES IS OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Series illustrating our relationship to structures, both natural and human-made. Explores various building structures, focusing on their roots, history of development, strength and the ability of support loads.
1: Defines building loads as the main forces a structure must resist in order to remain standing. Also explains the distinction between ‘live’ and ‘dead’ loads.
2: Looks at the forces that pull down structures (compression, tension, torsion and bending) and how they affect buildings and even airplanes, furniture, beams and columns. Defines stress and strain.
3: Explores the history, use and basic principles of beams, trusses and space frames. Shows how the use of triangles in design allows structures to carry great loads.
4: Chronicles how humans over the last 4000 years have tried to solve the problem of constructing walls that will not fall down. Compares the building principles used to construct ancient and modern buildings and examines the cantilever.
5: Examines different kinds of arches, from monolithic to hinged, and shows applications. Also investigates the uses of domes and vaults.
6: Shows how humans have tried to copy the structural strengths of the eggshell in some innovative buildings and looks at the close relationship between the shell and the lattice-type dome, which combines characteristics of both structures.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video

Year of production

1988

Availability

Sale

Uses

GCSE, A-level.

Subjects

Architecture; Engineering

Keywords

architectural design; buildings; construction engineering; history of architecture; strain measurement; stress in materials; structural components; structural engineering

Credits

Cast

Don Westwood

Sections

Title

Loads: dead or alive

Synopsis

1: Defines building loads as the main forces a structure must resist in order to remain standing. Also explains the distinction between 'live' and 'dead' loads.

Title

Push and pull

Synopsis

2: Looks at the forces that pull down structures (compression, tension, torsion and bending) and how they affect buildings and even airplanes, furniture, beams and columns. Defines stress and strain.

Title

Trust those triangles

Synopsis

3: Explores the history, use and basic principles of beams, trusses and space frames. Shows how the use of triangles in design allows structures to carry great loads.

Title

Where’s the thrust line?

Synopsis

4: Chronicles how humans over the last 4000 years have tried to solve the problem of constructing walls that will not fall down. Compares the building principles used to construct ancient and modern buildings and examines the cantilever.

Title

Triumphant arches

Synopsis

5: Examines different kinds of arches, from monolithic to hinged, and shows applications. Also investigates the uses of domes and vaults.

Title

Shell, The

Synopsis

6: Shows how humans have tried to copy the structural strengths of the eggshell in some innovative buildings and looks at the close relationship between the shell and the lattice-type dome, which combines characteristics of both structures.

Title

Suspension of disbelief, The

Title

How high is up?

Production Company

Name

TV Ontario

Web

http://www.tvo.org External site opens in new window

Phone

+1 416 484 2886

Fax

+1 416 484 2896

Address

Box 200
Station Q
Toronto
Ontario
M4T 2T1
Canada

Distributor

Name

Viewtech Educational Media

Notes

NB. Viewtech ceased trading in 2014 and the company’s products are no longer in distribution