COURSE Project (25%)

2020-2021

Basic Mechanics-I
ME-270
Spring 2021

Course Project Guidelines

ME270: Design of Steel Truss Bridge
 I. Introduction

II. Learning Outcomes

III. Project Files

IV. Project Summary (Scenario)

V. Deliverables & Project Management

VI. Plagiarism

VII. Marking Scheme

 I. Introduction

The ME270 project is intended to demonstrate students’ ability to create mechanical designs
using the theories learnt in the class. In this particular project, the students are required to design
a steel truss highway bridge using West Point Bridge Designer software (available for free).
The challenge is that the students need to design a bridge strong enough to support a truck
weighing the 275 kN (two lanes) at the minimum possible cost. The bridge must have the
following specs.
 Arch type
 Bridge span (length) is 50 m
 No peers allowed
 No cables allowed
The appropriate design is the one that is able to support the truck weight successfully and be at
the minimum possible cost. To accomplish this task, the students have to decide among many
alternatives (minimum three designs are required) such as type of material, elements size, type
of the abatement, etc.
Once satisfied with the design, the students need to select two of most critical elements and
conduct hand calculations using the methods learnt in the class (Section and Joints). These
obtained results should be then compared with the software calculations and comments are
made for any discrepancies.

Students are supposed to build a spaghetti bridge, architectural model made of uncooked
spaghetti or other hard, dry, straight noodles, using the best design they obtained from
their hand calculations and simulations. The maximum weight that the spaghetti bridge
carrying will be demonstrated (roughly) and reported by the students in D3 with presenting
its video. For more details, please visit the followings:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_bridge
 https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=spaghetti+bridge+competition

Group Size: 3 students

II. Learning Outcomes

 ABET ( A-F), refer to the syllabus for the details
 Basic Mechanics I Learning outcomes, refer to the syllabus for the details
Specific Learning Outcomes:

Ability to apply theoretical knowledge in ‘real work’ project

Ability to create mathematical models of real life situations and apply reasonable
assumptions to come up with an acceptable solution.
 Ability to present findings in clear and concise manner
 Ability to draw meaningful conclusions
Files associated with the project are posted on Moodle
Software useful tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfZOkCK24qs

III. Project Summary (Scenario)

Imagine that you are a mechanical engineer working for a road construction company. Your
manager has given you the task of designing arch type steel truss bridge in one of the highways
to be constructed by the company. You have been given the freedom to design the bridge in
anyway like provided that the bridge is strong enough to support a truck weighs 275 kN and
that cost is kept as low as possible.
IV. Deliverables & Project Management

Deliverable Deadline Method of Delivery Grade

Allocated
Short report includes abstract, introduction
related to the all types of bridges with more
emphasis on truss bridges. Introduction of W7 Upload report on
D1 2.5%
West Point Bridge Designer software. Moodle on the
(maximum, 5 pages including the cover specified link
page)
Final report which includes in addition to
items mentioned above, final results,
discussion, conclusion, and references. The
report contains the following:
 Identification for all givens, constraints
and criteria (problem statement).
 Your West Point Bridge design showing
a print out of the bridge itself and the
software calculations
 other alternative designs (three designs
minimum) using the software.
D2  Your hand calculations for two of most Upload update report
12.5%
critical truss members (Joints and W13 on Moodle on the
Sectoins). specified link (Turnitin
submission)
 Comparison between your hand
calculations and software calculations.
 Discussion for the following:
- The reason of your choice of the best
design (cost, strength, etc.).
- Why there is a difference between
hand calculations and software
calculation?
- What is the systematic approach to
reduce cost?

Final Presentation ( .PPT to be upload on PowerPoint

Moodle) presentation uploaded
D3 W14 10%
Spaghetti bridge on Moodle and
presented in the class

Total 25%

V. Plagiarism

 Reference to the students’ handbook.

VI. Marking Scheme

Deliverable 100% 85% 75% 60%

Well written initial Initial report includes Initial report lacks Initial report lacks
report includes all all items but lacks clarity and missing clarity and missing
D1 elements mentioned clarity one element two items
in D1 above

100% 85% 75% 60%

Updated D1 report Updated report Updated report Updated report
includes - includes - includes - includes
very neat design and very neat design and neat design and - acceptable design
- lowest cost - 2nd lowest cost - 3rd lowest cost and
D2 (refer to
compared to other compared to other compared to other - 4th lowest cost
table in last
class sections class sections class sections compared to other
page)
-Accurate hand -Accurate hand -Accurate hand class sections
calculations calculations. calculations -hand calculations
- Well written report - satisfactorily written - Poorly written with some mistake
includes all the report includes all the report includes some - Very weak report
required elements elements of the elements
100% 85% 75% 60%
D3 excellent good presentation acceptable Weak presentation
Video of the presentation presentation
spaghetti
bridge
(20%)