DURBAN GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL

Grade 9 Technology Formal Assessment Term 1

Mini PAT 2021

Topic: Structures Examiner: I.L Murugan

Context: Bridges Total: 80 Marks

Rivers provide much-needed water for communities but sometimes they can also make life difficult
for people. For example, during the rainy season, people from villages on one side of a river
struggle to get to the other side, when there is no bridge.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO:

The small community of Umdoni is situated on the far side of the Umzimkulu River on the
KwaZulu-Natal south coast. Each day the community crosses the river by walking through the
river. In rainy months, the crossing becomes very dangerous, especially for the young school
children who attend primary schools in the city.
Everyone is scared of drowning or getting attacked by crocodiles, but they have no choice and
have to go through the river to get to the other side. The local authority has decided to build a
bridge for this community so that people can safely cross the Umzimkulu River every day.
The local authority has placed an advertisement in the local newspaper inviting contractors to
submit tenders for the bridge. The bridge must be simple and cost effective. Due to the solid rocky
banks of the river, the bridge can be constructed very easily.

TASK:
You are going to investigate and design a structure of a bridge to help the community. Read the
story again and decide which bridge will be the best solution for the problem. Different types of
bridges use different materials and construction methods, but they all have a similar function.

INVESTIGATE:
You are required to investigate and provide an analysis for the following:

Relevant materials to be used in the construction of the bridge:

➢ Suitability of the materials to be used.
➢ Safety procedures for the use of the materials.
➢ The cost of materials.
➢ The cost of construction.
WHAT TO RESEARCH: (This should be added to your investigation)
➢ materials
➢ labour
➢ transport
➢ tools and equipment
➢ machinery

RESEARCH:

Where did you get your information or research from and which stores would you buy the
materials needed?

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Each learner must sketch two possible designs for the bridge.
This can be done freehand but must include important aspects of the bridge:

➢ The connection of the bridge to the river bank.

➢ Total dimensions for the bridge (width, height, depth)
➢ The type of bridge (beam, suspension, cable-stayed, truss, arch). (10)

2. Evaluate and ask yourself questions about the bridge design. You must evaluate all
the designs. Questions to ask include:

➢ What is good about the design?

➢ What is bad about the design?
➢ Will the design meet the requirements for this bridge?
➢ Will this design be cost effective in this community? (20)

Once the above is done you should choose a final idea and begin.
3. Design Brief:
Write a design brief that includes all the specifications, parts, materials and steps
that you will use. Include the cost to build the model. (20)

4. Draw a 2D working drawing of your design Include the dimensions and line types.
The drawing should show front view, top view and side view. (20)

5. Communicate your design by presenting it to your teacher. (10)

[TOTAL 80 MARKS]

Due date: ________________