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Bridge - GDLC
Bridge - GDLC
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Location 1: Drawbridge
A drawbridge is the best choice for this
location. Drawbridges, like the Tower
Bridge in London, England, can be quite
majestic. They're also practical because
they open to allow the passage of boats
and ships. The mayor is delighted with
your selection!
But there is a
problem!!!
Convenience & Beauty!!
In one of the rowdiest town meetings ever,
the residents of Craggy Rock spoke out
against the new drawbridge. "It's ugly,"
one angry resident said, "and there's
always traffic on the bridge. They open it
for boats, but what about us? We have to
get to work, too!"
Which bridge will you choose?
The mayor is begging you to build a new bridge.
The local steelworkers are on strike, so she
advises you to build a bridge with as little steel
as possible.
Cantilever Bridge
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Location 2: Beam Bridge
This is an excellent spot for a beam
bridge. Beam bridges typically span up to
250 feet, and they're also the cheapest
and easiest bridges to build. Congrats --
you've just made a lot of rollerbladers and
bikers very happy!
But there is a
problem!!!
Flash Flood!
When it rains, the city stream rises. A
really strong storm could cause flash
floods, turning the stream into a raging
river. Piles of rocks and a wall of gooey
mud could push on the piers of the
concrete beam bridge and cause it to
topple. Luckily, you can fix it before that
happens!
How will you build a new, flood-
proof bridge?
Special Notes:
"Our records indicate that more than 500
ships pass through Craggy Rock Harbor
each day. Please build a bridge that does
not block the flow of water traffic. We do
not want angry sailors or congestion of
any kind in our harbor. Thank you."
-- The United States Coast Guard
What kind of bridge should you build?
(Select one)
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Location 3: Suspension Bridge
This is an ideal location for a suspension
bridge. Suspension bridges, like the
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan, can span
great distances and still leave room for
passing ships and boats. The U.S. Coast
Guard is thrilled with your selection!
But there is
another
problem!!!
Hurricane Winds
Your new bridge is moving up and down a
lot in the wind! This isn't a big problem
under normal conditions, but what if a
hurricane were to blow through town? It
could cause the bridge to move too much,
or even twist so violently that it would snap
in half!
How can you strengthen the
bridge to resist strong winds?
Suspension
Drawbridge
Beam
Arch
Location 4: Arch Bridge
This is the perfect spot for an arch bridge.
The rocky bluffs will support the
abutments, and no towers or piers are
needed because the arch shape can
support itself.
But, of course,
there is
another
problem!!!
Concrete Has Weathered!
Twenty years have passed. You're an older,
wiser, and wealthier engineer. The phone
rings. It's the National Park Service. Chunks
of concrete are falling from the arch bridge
into the gorge. Twenty years of cold weather
have chewed away at the bridge. It's time to
replace the cracking concrete with a new
material.
Which new material will you
choose?
Steel?
Wood?
Cast Iron?
New Material: Steel
In fact, the world's longest spanning arch
bridge, the New River Gorge Bridge in West
Virginia, is made entirely of steel. Steel is
strong in compression, the squeezing force
that all arch bridges experience. Steel can
also be arranged into a lightweight truss
pattern, like the Garabit Bridge in France.
You Did It!!!!!!
Well Done!!