Rigid and Flexible Structures
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    A rigid structure is a structure that does not change shape with an applied outside force. A rigid structure must also support the weight on the inside and on the outside of it (wind, rain, snow etc.). An example of a rigid shape is a triangle.  An example of a rigid structure is the Great Wall of China.  The Wall stayed in its place and did not bend or change shape in the presence of outside forces.   

    A flexible structure is a structure that does bend or change shape with applied outside forces. One example of a flexible shape is a rectangle.  An example of a flexible structure is a house.  Houses are built to "bend" or "sway" when hit by wind or other outside forces to allow the house to remain intact.  If the house were to be completely rigid, it would not be able to sustain outside pressure because there is no room for flexibility and, as a result, there is no margin for error.

This Page was last edited on Thursday, July 27, 2000 .

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