Semester 2 Engineering Project:

Balsa Wood Bridge Structures

Research Objective
Build a bridge to obtain the maximum strength to weight ratio (holds the most weight for how much it weighs
itself), to be presented at a celebration of science event. Bridges will be judged on design, comparison to official
design drawing, construction, strongest and best strength to weight ratio.

Materials
● 1/8th inch Balsa Wood
● Wood Glue

Scoring
Students will be scored on the strength to weight or max weight held of their structures during our
breaking day (30 pts)

And
Students will be scored on their poster outlining their design process and results (50 pts)

Criteria:
● In groups of 3
● Must span a 250mm gap, with a max width of 80mm and minimum height of 100mm
● The mush be a space at the middle of the bridge 30mm x 30mm that allows the weight beam
● Your structure must hold the guide block while will be attached to the bucket
● Bridge must sit flat on the structure and have no aspect of the bridge below the supports
● You may laminate up to 0.00635m (1/4 inch across or 4 sticks in a square configuration).

Due dates:
Original design approved: Friday 2/4
Building Journal setup and first entry entered: Friday 2/12
Present Design and Building Journal check 1: Friday 2/17
Building Journal check 2: Friday 2/25 Bridge complete
Breaking day: Thursday 3/24
Poster Due Date: Friday 4/1