Year 10 Honours Engineering
Bridge Design
Devika Krishnan
Due Date: Friday 7th June
Mr Johnson
Contents Page
Title
Page
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Design Challenge
1.1.1Analysis of Design Challenge
1.2 Analysis of Design Constraints
3
2.0 Investigation and Research
2.1 Test Equipment
2.2 Material 2.2.1 Paddle Pop Sticks 2.2.2 String 2.2.3 PVA glue
2.3 Types of Bridges 2.3.1 Arch 2.3.2 Cable-Stayed 2.3.3 Suspension 2.3.4 Truss 2.3.5 Beam 2.3.6 Cantilever 2.3.7 Chosen bridge type
2.4 Efficiency
4
5
3.0 Design Ideas
4.0 Final Solution
5.0 Test Results
6.0 Conclusion
7.0 Recommendations
8.0 Reference List
9.0 Appendices
1.0 Introduction
This report will provide information on design, construction and testing of a bridge made out of paddle pop sticks which must span a gap of 600mm. The bridge should be made to be strong and lightweight.
1.1 Design Challenge
This assignment is based on the following design challenge:
Students are to use their acquired understanding and knowledge of structures to design, make and test a model bridge made from paddle pop sticks. The bridge must be able to span a gap of 600mm. Assessment of the bridge will be made based on the efficiency of the bridge as well as the technical engineering report. (Class Handout, 2013, p1)
1.1.1 Analysis of the Design Challenge
The analysis of the keywords (highlighted) will provide better understanding of the set task.
Structures- Object built or constructed with different parts
Model Bridge- a 3D representation of the chosen design
Made from Paddle pop sticks- The structure must be made from just paddle pop sticks and strings but glue can be used to join them
Span a gap of 600mm- Bridge must be longer than 600mm as it needs to fill the 600mm gap and be able to sit on an object on either side of the gap
Based on the efficiency of the bridge- the lighter the bride is and the stronger it is the more efficient it will be
1.2 Analysis of Design Constraints
Analysis of design constraints will give better understanding of the constraints set for the bridge.
Span a 600mm gap- refer to section 1.1.1.
Use only supplied materials – refer to section 1.1.1.
Have a bridge deck (carriage way) no narrower than 50mm- The passageway of the bridge must be 50mm or wider.
Weigh less than 400 grams- The Bridge must not have a weight load more than 400g as it won’t be as efficient.
Have a place at the centre of the structure designed to support the testing equipment- There must be space left at the centre of the structure for the testing equipment to sit.
3.0 Investigation and Research
A thorough analysis of making a bridge is needed to correctly design a bridge that would be the most efficient.
2.1 Test Equipment
Following is a list of all the equipment needed for the testing of the bridge.
2 tables 600mm apart- they will be fixed in place to prevent displacement
Bucket- Filled with water until the weight breaks the bridge and then weighed.
2.2 Materials
The materials in this assignment play a major rule in the building of the bridge. They limit to as to how the bridge can be made. Therefore a thorough knowledge of the materials being used is needed.
2.2.1 Paddle pop sticks
The paddle pop sticks used in the making of the bridge are made from wood. They are 11.4cm long X 1cm wide. The paddle pop sticks will be what make up most of the bridge therefore it is a very important part of the bridge.
2.2.2 String
The string being used is 2mm thick natural fibre; they are strong but prone to stretching under heavy weight.
2.2.3 PVA glue
Polyvinyl acetate is an adhesive glue usually used for wood therefore it is the right type of glue for joining the paddle pop sticks.
2.3 Types of Bridges
Before an optimal decision can be made for the bridge type an analysis of the different types of bridges is needed.
