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Why build a spaghetti bridge? 1) To take math and science out of the textbook and into a project involving design, planning, and construction. 2) Because the process is instructive and fun, and it exemplifies the difficulties of putting theory into practice. Math and science? Now Im worried. What kind of math and science? In principle, you can build a bridge without math and science. But if you want to build one that can carry a maximum load, then you need to understand the material properties of spaghetti, the theory of beams, and the physics of canceling forces (statics).
Glues:
1) White glue: Not good. Since its water based, the spaghetti is softened by the glue. Glue joints take forever to dry. Once dry, joints are not very strong. 2) Model airplane glue: So so. Dries relatively quickly but is slightly flexible when dry. Glue joints should be rigid. 3) Hot-melt plastics (glue guns): Easiest to use, but joints far too flexible. 4) Epoxy: Best solution--especially the 5 minute kind. Creates rigid joints. Is messy. Requires careful mixing.
Using 5-minute epoxy: 1) Purchase variety in two separate tubes with nozzle tips. (Double plunger varieties are too wasteful.) 2) Mix epoxy and make glue joints on wax paper. Epoxy releases from wax paper fairly readily. 3) Mix very small batches--enough for maybe 5 glue joints. 4) Proportions are very important--50 - 50. Too far away from this ratio and epoxy will never harden. Many bridges fail because of unhardened joints.
6) Lacquer thinner (nail polisher remover) is good for cleaning up uncured epoxy from surfaces and fingers.
Beam under tension Failure occurs when ultimate tensile strength is exceeded. Maximum load is tensile strength times cross-sectional area. For regular spaghetti (diameter = 2mm), maximum load is ~ 10 pounds. Load capacity does not depend on length.
Beam in compression Failure occurs two ways: 1) When L/d < 10, failure is by crushing 2) When L/d > 10, failure is by buckling We are almost always concerned with failure by buckling.
and a beam of length L and diameter 2d can support a compressive load of 16F.
2d 16F L
The fabricated beam will have the same buckling strength as a solid beam, provided the buckling/tension strengths of the component beams are not exceeded.
Very little strength. Never design a structure that relies on bending strength to support a load.
F 0, F 0, F 0
x y z
2) Joints are assumed to carry no bending loads; therefore all forces are compression or tension and lie in the directions of the beams.
y
-F
F/2
F/2
Good design
Design and construction ideas (cont.): 3) Dont forget about the 3rd dimension. A good design in the x-y plane, may be a terrible one in the z-direction.
4) Recall: tension members do not need to be fabricated as trusses. Their strength depends only on cross- sectional area.
5) Plan the total bridge design. Estimate the weight of each of the components, so that you will not exceed the weight limit. 6) Make a full-size pattern of your bridge. Build the bridge on this pattern. This will ensure that all components will assemble properly.
Butt joints
Overlaid joints
a)
b)
a)
b)
a)
b)
a)
b)
Bridge Schematic:
Total Weight < 750gms.
> 5cm. < 2mm.
Bridge Decking
Loading Platform and U-bolt
< 50 cm
< 5cm
Load 100 cm