Design Process

steps to take:

  1. Define the Problem

  2. Generate Alternative Solution

  3. Evaluate & Select a Solution

  4. Detail the Design

  5. Defend the Design

  6. Manufacture & Test

  7. Evaluate the Performance

  8. Prepare the Final design Report

(1)Problem to Overcome: Design a bridge that meets the requirements and can withstand physical forces that exerts on it.

(2)Brainstorm: My group tried to brainstrom different combinations for the bridge to work. We came up with unique ideas that minimized the cost of bridge and keep the commpression and tension force ratio under 0.4 and 0.45. Some of my group members offered the idea that the hollow tube should be placed in the most stressed/compressed spots.

(3)Decision Time: My group decided that in order to create the best bridge with the minimum cost, we would need to come up with a bridge that has various members' strengths. We decided to make the bridge stable and let the truck pass each time with minimum interference. We knew that if all the members had the same thinkness, it would become stable but extremely expensive.

(4)Distinctive Details: To design the bridge, our group used four hollow tubes and twenty five solid bars to meet the 15% hollow tube requirement. Also, we tried to do simple sketches in order to generate alternative combinations of hollow tubes and solid bars. Pictures of the design process can be seen in the summary and explanatiion section.

(5)Why is it the best: we are confident because we tried more than one time to create a stable bridge with minimum cost. We are scrupulous on how we designed the bridge and how we tried multiple times to adjust the members of the bridge. Plus, we all contributed different ideas and gave alternate solutions for the bridge design.

(6)Testing Process: To test our bridge, we used the simulation provided in the software. First, we created a general framework of the bridge and tested different ways on how to combine the hollow tubes and solid bars. After the truck can pass successfully, we adopt the trial and error stategy to adjust the thickness of each member so we have a minimum cost.

(7)Bridge's Performance: Our bridge is safe and steady for a truck to pass through. Also, it requires less construction fees than building a solid bar bridge with uniform thickness. We believed that we collaborated with each other well and showed respect for others' ideas. We managed to minize the constuction fees close to 300,000 dollars.

(8)Is It Prepared: Yes this is our final design report.