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Subjects · Leaving Cert Technology

Leaving Cert Technology: Structures & forces

How often Structures & forces comes up on the Technology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 8 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 8 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Structures & forces, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Structures & forces.

(a)In a framework, a member that is in compression is called a:
  1. Tie
  2. Strut
  3. Cable
(b)A bracket fails at 1200 N and its maximum working load is 300 N. What is its factor of safety?
  1. 900
  2. 0.25
  3. 4
(c)Which force tries to twist a component, such as a screwdriver shaft?
  1. Torsion
  2. Tension
  3. Shear
Show the answers

(a) Strut

(b) 4

(c) Torsion

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Structures & forces.

Higher Level

Asked on 8 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A9
2024A11
2023A5
2022A12
2021A6
2019B2c, B2d
2018B3b
2017Not asked
2016B2c

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Structures & forces questions

Structures & forces, 2 marks

A load that moves or changes, like traffic crossing a bridge, is a:

  1. Static load
  2. Dead load
  3. Dynamic load
Show the answer

Dynamic load

Static and dead loads do not change, such as a structure's own weight. Dynamic loads move or vary, so designers allow a larger factor of safety.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 8 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025A6, B3b
2024B2a
2023B2d
2022B3d
2021A2
2019B3c
2018A10, B2a
2017Not asked
2016A11

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Structures & forces questions

Structures & forces, 2 marks

A force that tries to stretch a material is called…

  1. Compression
  2. Torsion
  3. Tension
Show the answer

Tension

Tension pulls or stretches, as in a rope or suspension cable. Compression squeezes, torsion twists, shear slides layers apart and bending mixes tension and compression.

Structures & forces, 2 marks

In a frame structure, a strut is a member in…

  1. Torsion
  2. Compression
  3. Tension
Show the answer

Compression

Struts resist being squashed (compression). Ties resist being pulled apart (tension), which is why a thin cable can act as a tie but never as a strut.

Structures & forces, 3 marks

Why are triangles used in frame structures such as roof trusses?

  1. A triangle cannot change shape unless a member bends
  2. Triangles use more material, so the frame ends up stronger
  3. Triangles are cheaper to paint and maintain
Show the answer

A triangle cannot change shape unless a member bends

A four-sided frame can fold into a parallelogram. Adding a diagonal member creates triangles and makes the frame rigid. This is called triangulation.

Other Technology topics

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