ASA 2021 ONLINE STEAM EXPO

PROJECT SUMMARY

My project is about constructing different types of bridges that have a total cost of less than 500k using a online software. The main goal of my project is to construct a bridge of any type(Arch, Truss, Suspension, Beam...) with a stable structure that is successful at executing a bridges goal without a major change in structure or damage on the bridge. It's especially hard since many forces are acting on the bridge while objects pass through, for instance tension and compression.

WHY?

There is 2 reason why I decided to do a bridge building project. The first reason is because it was a required project and it was one of the main topics in the 1 semester of 8th grade Steam. The second reason being that wanted to learn and investigate about how different forces are constantly effecting and revolving around the bridge.

HOW?

So I first started to brainstorm of what type of bridge I should do, since the gap that the bridge needed to go over was 20 meters I decided to go with a truss design since they are one of the best designs. Then I looked up some truss bridge designs and researched about truss bridges, then I found out that the truss should be made of mainly triangles, since triangles help to distribute weight, thus lessening the weight each pole has to bear.

WHAT?

Well after going with different prototypes, all with different bar size, materials, triangle sizes... I came to the conclusion with a last prototype, which had extra support on the side bars, made of the toughest material available and thicker bars, the bottom floor beams were also reinforce by being made thicker than the normal bars. After running a test of a truck going over the bridge, it showed that the structure was stable and it will complete its goal with ease. However the top beams had significant impact from forces.

SO WHAT?

So after seeing the results I can say that my prototype was a big success, considering that it completed my goal and did what a bridge is supposed to do. To top it off the bridge was estimated to cost around 359k which is good considering the limit of 500k. I also learned that over the 20 meter gap a truss bridge is really effective, since a suspension bridge is to cover longer distances and a beam bridge for shorter distances.

WHAT'S NEXT?

A couple of things that I could have improved in my project could have been to test other types of bridges, and maybe play around a bit more with the materials used for the construction, with this in mind I went back and tried an arch bridge, which was also pretty good but not nearly as good as the truss bridge.

REFERENCES/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All of these ideas I got from my Steam teacher Mr Sheldon, since the topic of that chapter was bridges and bridge building we learned a lot of different types of bridges and forces that act on it.

JUDGES FEEDBACK

What an interesting topic! Constructing bridges. I am always amazed by bridges around the world. I am happy to see that you focus your interest in this topic and were able to do research and share that with us. I think we need people in this field and bridges that can connect countries or even continents. I wonder if these can be make in the future. Way to go!

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