Description

One truss our group has chosen is Ryde Bridge. Ryde Bridge is located at
Ryde over the Parramatta River. It is a truss bridge that was designed to
replace the previous ferry service between Church St in Ryde and Concord
Road in Rhodes. Furthermore, it was also constructed with a lift span so
that tall ships would be able to travel through it unimpeded, however, the
mechanism for this capability has been removed.

Analysis
1. 2D free body diagram

2. Estimation of external loads

From the 2D free body diagram:
RL = approximately 45kN of force acting on the bridge. This is because it
counteracts the weight for the bridge (possibly 80 tonnes including
vehicles) as well as the force of the wind acting on the bridge
RR = approximately 42kN of force acting on the bridge. This is because it
counteracts the weight of the bridge however does not counter the
horizontal component of the force of the wind on the bridge.
Force of wind = approximately 7kN of force actin on the bridge. This is
because the bridge is high above the river where there are greater wind
speeds and there are no obstacles that could act as wind breakers.

Weight of the internal force (including vehicles) = approximately 80kN of

force acting on the bridge. This is because the weight of the bridge in
addition to vehicles on it will greatly increase the force acting on the
supports.
3. Types of supports
We believe that there are 2 types of supports on the truss. These are a
pin joint and a roller joint. We assume this because a bridge, especially
the steel components, will expand and contract during extreme
temperatures including expanding during hot temperatures. To counteract
this, engineers will have put a roller joint on one of the supports so that
the bridge can expand without putting additional force on the supports.
The other support will be a pin joint because it can provide both the
vertical components of the external loads as well as the horizontal
components.
4. Types of joints
Bolt joints- Throughout the bridge, there are bolt joints connecting the
various components of the bridge together
Welded steel joints- On the steel beams, some have been welded
together.

5. Estimation of which members are in compression and tension

Repeats on the other side because of symmetry
First we calculate the members around RL:
From this graphical solution, the
bottom member would be in tension
and the slanted member is in
compression
Using similar graphical solutions, we
determined that the top member of
the bridge was in compression.

R
L