Data Analysis & Conclusion

Conclusion

After building both a balsa and basswood bridge of the same design and testing their structural strength and integrity on a Structures & Materials Tester it was determined that overall, the basswood is a better building material. First of all, for the same bridge design made of both materials, the basswood bridge was able to carry nearly double the load of the balsa wood bridge before breaking. Although the basswood bridge was heavier than the balsa wood bridge, the basswood bridge ended up being much proportionally stronger, so its ratio of the weight of the bridge to the weight it can hold was greater. The balsa wood bridge had a weight ratio of 1:457 while the basswood bridge had a weight ratio of 1:711. Clearly in both aspects, of total strength, and relative strength, using basswood as a material is the better option. Although I am not surprised that the basswood bridge could carry more weight than the balsa wood bridge, I am surprised that the weight ratio was also so much higher. I initially had thought that since the balsawood was lighter weight, it would have a higher weight ratio, but the basswood bridge ended up beating it in that column too. After discovering these findings, it is understandable why the price of basswood is so much greater than that of balsa wood because basswood is so superior to its counterpart. In conclusion, if you want to build a bridge to be as strong as possible, you should pick building materials made of basswood instead of balsa.