Bridge ProjectStudents will design and build a bridge using a variety of forming and joining processes. The final designs will be stress tested to breaking capacity. The bridge will be build using wire stock and fastened with forming and welding processes. This project incorporates engineering principles, stress testing, health and safety considerations and teamwork.

Design Information Bridge must span – 30 cm Bridge must be made from materials

supplied No component of the bridge can

extend to touch the ground. All bridges will be tested to capacity

using destructive testing.

Bridge types

All bridges are built to specific design specifications

Different styles of bridges are used for different applications

List one Bridge Type that you have crossed!

Bridge Terms

SPAN Distance bridge travels unsupported

LOAD Weight bridge needs to hold **

PYLON Supports bridge rests on

Bridge LoadingBridges must support a lot of weight. This weight is called a “load” Bridges must also resist environmental forces such as:

wind, rain, ice and snow

LoadsLoads are forces acting upon a structure due to weight

Mechanical forcesLoads create movement in structures and these movements can cause failures in the materials.

Summary

Remember how forces act upon a bridge for your designThink about the material and how it is strongestA roof is made from small lumber yet it holds up thousands pounds.

WHY?

Research AssignmentFind three different bridge designs and

describe their characteristics

• Web search = bridge designs/types• www.superiortrailbridges.com• http://bridgepros.com/learning_center/index.html • Bridge Building Modelling Software-• http://www.jets.org/resources/bridges.cfm

• Complete “Types of Bridges” Worksheet.