Plate Tectonic Architectural Experiment:

Question: How do plate tectonic movements effect the structure of buildings?

Rationale: In the Pacific Northwest, we have earthquakes as our natural disaster. So, doing this
experiment will help find out how we can build buildings that can withstand the power of an
earthquake with different shapes of building design. We will use the shapes of, triangles and
squares.

What we know from our research:

CR- I learned that triangular shapes are less prone to collapse. When engineers build square or
rectangular structures, they can effectively put a line diagonally across the square to make it
more structurally sound. They are also strong inflexible shapes that can be relied on for building
structures. Square shapes can lose their shape under immense pressure and tension.

AP-I learned that squares can support weight well. So, I know squares will last longer when the
house is square. So, I think that it will last longer.

BR-I learned that one foundation that is resistant to an earthquake is a house that is embedded
into a hill so when the hill shakes the house shakes with it and does not fall. Instead of being
resistant it shakes with the earth quake and therefore does not take damage.

Sites we used to research (You have to ctrl click them)

foundations

https://www.reference.com/math/triangles-strong-7ae25bf47214a972
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_tectonics

https://undergroundmathematics.org/thinking-about-geometry/triangles-are-the-strongest-
shape

Our Hypothesis:

CR- I think that the triangular shape will be sturdier because in seismically active areas, the
shape of a triangle is more common along the architecture. They are also more structurally
sound than squares because squares are more prone to be misshapen and crushed.

AP & BR- We think the square shape will work better because it has more stability. It might have
more effect on the connection, and last longer than weak triangles because square might have
more tension. We also that the square will be strongest because the shake will vibrate
throughout the shape and will not fall. Also, the square covers more surface area and is hard to
knock down.

Steps of our experiment:

 1. Build a square house
2. Build a shaker
3. shake
4. Build a triangle house
5. Shake
6. Count results
7. Repeat the process
8. Finish

Our Results:

Square House- level 3, 3 in. shake length

Triangle House- level 3.5, 3.5 in. shake length

Names of experts we contacted:

Antony Orme

Conclusion:

Looking at our results, one our original hypothesis was correct. One way we know our other one
is wrong is that the square completely collapsed under level 3 pressure and seismic levels. We
think this happened because we tested others theory’s and hypothesis about triangles being
stronger than squares. The triangular structure lasted a half of a level longer than the square did.
Another interesting that that happened was that We lost our square model house, but thankfully
we already took its results. We think this was because we were in such a rush to not be late for
something else, we just put it somewhere and it got thrown in the trash. In conclusion, it turns out
that triangles are stronger than squares. If we were to do this again, one thing we would change
would be to NOT soak random pieces of our balsa wood supply because you cannot tape them
together, even though the balsa wood becomes very flexible.