Bridge Building: 7

Design Steps and

a Reflection
Katie Gaffney, Phoenix Graves, Kyle DeBry

Understand
The basis of the project was to create a bridge
that had the best ratio of weight supported to
weight of the bridge all within the limitations of
the restrictions.

Explore
We learned triangles are the best shape to use
for strong bridges.
Also, since the force is being applied in the
center, the middle of the bridge should be
reinforced the most.

Define
Requirements: The bridge length should be no more than 12 inches. The span will be 7.375 inches. All other design constraints should follow the UC
rules. Design and construction 100 points
Report Containing:
1)
Neat and detailed 18x 24 drawing to build bridge on 50 points (showing dimensions, 3 individual views). If necessary an additional 8.5 x 11
drawing should be made on the details of the connection between the side trusses and the bottom of the bridge. This would also include how the center is
reinforced for the load block. Essential to apply WPBD program, calculations and expected forces to drawing. (Show which members must be double or
triple strength)
2)
Detailed discussion of design expectations, performance, and conclusion. It is essential that you discuss specifically how your bridge performed and
what your design parameters focused on. Discuss how your bridge stressed and what could have been done to improve it. You should use diagrams. Be sure to
calculate the weight supported to weight of bridge ratio 20 points. 5point bonus for best ratio. (As long as more than three groups are competing)
3)

Engineering classes should create a new page for this project and post all documents in the usual format. This would include pictures, prototype and

final drawings, results discussion(#2) and a powerpoint highlighting design steps.

4)

the bridge projects will be tested Friday May 22nd, 2015.

Rules:
https://www.schoology.com/docviewer/567617270/36eb1de5a5530bb3fc405d95dc16a53c

Ideate
Use triangles
Use Gorilla Glue (based on availability)
Have supports close together in the middle
for the base

Prototype

Refine
We found some issues in our drawings where
the wood on the walls was too long to make the
connection, so we had to cut the pieces shorter
and add another edge to the top of the walls.
We also found the bridge was not wide enough,
leading us to reconstruct the roadway.

Solution

How our Bridge Performed

Our bridge did not do very well.
The bridge broke where the roadway and
bridge wall connected.
Mass (g)

Weight (lbs)

Deformation

Strength Factor

Stiffness

200

280

1.0

1.4

1.41

What the Design Parameters

Focused on
- Triangles
- Trellises

How Our Bridge was Stressed

The connection between the roadway and the
rest of the bridge was stressed, and the center
of the bridge was the strongest.
The weakest part of the bridge was the
connection of the roadway to the bridge walls.

How We Could Improve It

Our bridge had minimal surface connecting the
bridge walls to the roadway, therefore the
bridge was weak.
An addition to the connection of the roadway to
the bridge wall would have helped it hold much
more weight.