Model Bridge

[jtwidwell]

I am a student in Three Rivers Community College and our engineering class teacher has assigned us to build a model bridge. The more efficient the bridge, the higher the grade. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what style of bridge I should build. I know this isn't of the utmost importance, but any help would be wonderful. Oh and our materials are 20 pieces of about 3 ft. long, a spool of thread, and some wood glue. I can do all of the designing, just throw out some efficient bridge styles.

 

[mcgowanp]

I remember doing this type of project in school as well, and as then, i'm sure the idea is for you to try out what you think will work and learn from it. You'll learn twice as much from failureas you will from success.


Have a go and see how you do.

 

[dougr]

This may be hard for some students to comprehend but you can actually learn more by doing things yourself and not by having others do it for you....

 

[design-engine]

he is asking what kind of bridge he might build....

I suggest doing a google image search for bridge or bridge design.

In the boy scouts we made hudge rope bridges.
Edited by: design-engine

 

[mcgowanp]

So is this the calibre of future engineers?? Ones who cant do a google search all by themselves??

 

[design-engine]

at first we learn to use resources then we become cocky then we become good.I think we may have scared the poor chap away for good?
Edited by: design-engine

 

[dgs]

... Oh and our materials are 20 pieces of about 3 ft. long, a spool of thread, and some wood glue. ...

20 pieces of what? I'm just curious, I'm with the others, you need to get a bunch of the material and play with it. What are its strength and weaknesses? How can you leverage it's strengths?


In school we had a couple projects like this. One was a bridge that had to support a can of soda using only a single 18" x 24" sheet of 2 ply bristol paper and white glue. Mine was about 6 feet long, but some classmates' were 12'-13' long. The trick there was understanding that the paper was lousy in compression, but very strong in tension.


The other was build a chair to support 200 lbs made of one 80" x 100" sheet of 1/8" thick corrugated cardboard. Mine was usable 3 ways, as a chair, a desk or a stool.


Fun projects, good luck with your bridge.

 

[[-Skint-]]

Girder

Truss

Rigid Frame

Arch

Cable Stayed

Suspension

 

[design-engine]

Doug,

Engineers don't get to play with cardboard like that. I saw an industrial designer make furniture out of FedEX boxes. Strong as all hell too!

 

[jtwidwell]

Dougr,

Honestly, did i say that i wanted you to do the work for me. And i have researched. I have about four or five good designs. I am just trying to get a good take on what other people might build.

dgs, its 20 pieces of balsa wood, not the strongest material in the first place, but it is rather flexible.

design-engine, I like the idea for the bridge, but i don't think that it would qualify under the conditions. I think I am going to go with a suspension bridge, but I still have a little more research to do on GOOGLE ( GASP!!! he knows how to use google!!!) lol.

And yes, i do realize that i must do this on my own and planned on it all along. Thank you to those who actually helped/encourage me.


Edited by: jtwidwell

 

[arroyopr]

I did one made out of balsa wood, pin needles and glue. And it was about 21 grams and 12" long. It was the struss style above, I try to proove that triangles are stronger. It hold more than 38 lbs at the moment point wich was the middle of the bridge. I got pointsfor been very light, strong, held so much weightand it was very chip.


Just something to think about.

Edited by: arroyopr

 

[jtwidwell]

Thanks arroyopr, I started my bridge today and the worst thing that i am having trouble with is the joints. I am working on some different ways right now. I am trying to find the strongest joint I can make.