Bridge Building Assignment

BRIDGE STRUCTURES ASSIGNMENT STEPS:

*for each step that has a point value, you must get them signed off by me before moving on!*

ASK:

1a. Individually, review all your notes and past videos if needed. Consider the research you have done (or been shown) throughout the ENTIRE class so far. In your notebook, write a quick list (at least 5 items) of what you have learned during this whole Engineering Class so far.

1b. Team up with your West Point partner and together, list out 5 new things that you have learned about structural engineering.

** Show these lists to Mrs. Yelenick. **

IMAGINE:

2. Pick the style of bridge your team wants to build.

a. Arch: Deck Arch or Through Arch

b. Truss: BE SPECIFIC - Warren, Pratt, Howe, etc.

c. A combination? Something else?

3. Using Google Docs, write a paragraph telling why you chose this type of bridge:

What materials you plan to use (toothpick OR balsa wood), how ***tension and compression work on your bridge, what the expected ***cost will be (under $320,000- 160 toothpicks OR 4.5 balsa sticks), why that bridge is the best choice over any other bridge structure. (5 sentences with correct grammar, punctuation, & spelling)

***Use West Point Bridge Designer to determine tension, compression, and cost.

Share with the teacher before proceeding to the next step.

4. Get the paragraph signed off by Mrs. Yelenick.(5 points)

5. Beneath your paragraph, draw a sketch of your bridge in a 5 inch long area.

6. Turn in to teacher for review. (5 points)

PLAN:

7a. Map out your bridge in West Point Bride designer (@ 12m Deck Height) so you know your areas of tension/ compression AND a cost cap (under $320,000).

7b. Using graph paper, draw a front side view of your bridge, minimum 32 cm long, 5-9 cm high.

Your bridge will have to span an 28 cm canyon.

Be sure to measure the angles!

8. Using another part of the graph paper, draw the bottom view of your bridge that is 32 cm long, and 6.75 cm wide. Be sure to look at the examples!

*** YOU MUST LABEL THE STRESSES, HEIGHT, WIDTH, & 6 ANGLES (Teacher's choice) ***

9. Take your plan to Mrs. Yelenick to get it signed off. (5 points)

10. Place your drawn template graph paper on a ‘mat’. (DO NOT ATTACH!)

11. Tape wax paper over the template and tape underneath.

*** Your template should be able to slide up and down between the wax paper and the mat.

CREATE:

12. Measure and line up toothpicks and glue them together following your design for one side and base of your bridge. Do not use too much glue. This will add extra weight to your bridge and will not help it’s stability. Use proper angles when attaching the pieces of your bridge for best stability.

** You can use the small weights to hold down your members as they dry- but be sure to keep wax paper between your bridge and the weights so they don't stick together! **

13. Repeat step 9 for the other side and base of the bridge.

14. When sides and bottom are complete, attach beams across the top of both side pieces. Allow to dry before you can attach the side pieces to the bottom piece.