Block Lab

Over the next two days we will be using blocks to construct various bridges and determine the cost of each bridge as well as determining the costs associated with each bridge. You will be given a worksheet to fill out as a team. You will conduct four separate tests and document the results on the lab sheet.

Block Lab Experiment

Directions:

For each test -- you will be asked to follow the CER model to describe the experiments.

For each test, you will need to note the stability of the bridge, the force needed to break the bridge, and the cost of the bridge (assume each block costs $100,000).

• Test 1:

  • Make a 4x2x13 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

  • Make a 4x1x13 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

• Test 2:

  • Make a 4x1x20 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

  • Make a 4x1x10 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

  • Make a 4x1x5 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

• Test 3:

  • Make a 4x1x11 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

  • Make a 4x1x11 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Add a 4x1x1 Truss in the middle

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

  • Make a 4x1x11 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Add two 4x1x1 Trusses in the middle

    • Test the durability of the` bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

• Test 4:

  • Make a 4x1x13 Truss and Beam bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)

  • Make a 4x1x13 Suspension bridge

    • Test the durability of the bridge (how much force is needed to break the bridge)