Bridge Project

Problem Definition: Design a structure to span

a given distance while supporting a maximum
load using a minimum of materials.
 Project Goals
The goals for this project are for students to:
• Learn the design process.
• See practical applications for trigonometry, physics,
and engineering statics (force analysis).
• Improve skills associated with collecting data and
drawing meaningful conclusions.
• Experience the usefulness of prototype testing.
• Recognize the necessity of good communication skills
for engineers by completing memos, reports,
drawings, and presentations.
 Project Break-down
• Project Intro DESIGN PROCESS
• Individual Brainstorming of Ideas Problem Definition
• Component Strength Tests Idea Generation
• Group Prototype Brainstorming Information Gathering

• Idea Selection
Prototype Selection
Implementation
• Full-Scale Prototype Construction
• Prototype Testing
• Engineering Analysis w/ software
• Redesign
• Final bridge construction
• Final Test Competition!
 Project Constraints

Size: See above & 100 stick limit per bridge

Shape: The bridge must have a clearly identifiable,
realistic “deck” or passage from one end to another, to
simulate the road surface. Any shape that fulfills the
constraints will be allowed.
Strength: Must support a minimum of 15 lbs.
Testing Procedure
2” dowel

2” x 6”
thin plate

testing jig
Building
Materials

• Wood tongue depressors (6”)

• Glue guns and glue sticks
• String
 Project Schedule
Timeline:
• Prototype Testing – 2 weeks
• Final bridge Testing – 1 week
• Presentation and report – 1 to 2
classes after final test
 Grading
15% Group Final Bridge Report
5% Group Oral Presentation
20% Bridge Project

+ HW assignments (bridge ideas, component test

memo, bridge analysis assignment, performance of
the bridge, etc..)
+ Review handout for additional information.
 Performance Scoring Equation

Load at Failure(lbs)
Score= ---------------------------
Weight of Bridge (lbs)

As engineers, you want to maximize the

load held using the least amount of material.
 Engineering Fundamentals

• Mechanics of Materials
• Bridge Examples
• Construction Methods & Hints!
 What is the easiest way to
break a tongue depressor?
• Pull?
• Push?
• Twist?
• Shear?
• Bend?

Engineering terms - tension, compression, torsion,

shear, & bending
 Bending! Thus bridge design Do’s & Don’ts:

• DON’Ts
– avoid bending bridge members when possible.
– avoid compressing long bridge members -
causes buckling (a kind of bending).
• DO’s
– load members in tension and compression
(short) when possible.
– brace bending members when possible.
 Let’s examine some existing
bridge designs and see….
• Beam
• Arch
• Suspension
• Truss
• Pre-Stressed Box Girder
 Beam vs.

• Ways to strengthen members in bending.

– Cross section design (moment of inertia)
– Use stronger materials (elastic modulus).
– Decrease overall length (deflections).
– Use reinforcement. Compression

=
Axis of
bending Tension
Steel
 Arch
• Puts members in compression.
• Need horizontal support at abutments.

Abutment
 Suspension
• Puts members in tension.
• Carries weight up to the top of the towers.
• Good for long spans.
 Truss
• Loads members in tension and compression.
• Members pinned at a joints(Moment = 0).
• Triangles provide stability and strength.
•Top members in Compression.
•Bottom members in Tension.

Hint - Imagine entire truss wrapped in rubber skin, so you

have a large rubber box. When you bend it, where would the
wrinkles be? They indicate compression.
 Pre-Stressed Box Girder
• Pre-fabricated off site.
• Steel wires (in tension) run through base of
box sections. Why? Road deck

Steel wires Pier

 Quiz
• Arch members are in T or C?
• Which orientation of a beam is stronger
Axis of
under bending and why?
I vs. bending

I
• Label members in T and C (by inspection)?
C C

T T T
 How can you improve your
bridge design?
• Incorporate truss structure (triangles).
• Design a 3-D structure from the start!
• Use short members in compression.
• Use string for tension members.
• Avoid overloading joints.
• Strengthen base supports and load point.
• Maximize moment of inertia of cross-section.
 Today’s work – Component test
Purpose: to find out the strength and characteristics of the
bridge building materials.

What to do: 8 tests to be done by the whole class.

2 tension test, 2 compression test, 4 bending/torsion test.
Each group will be assigned one test.