Im working on a school project to build the strongest Bridge out of balsa wood and we are divided into 15 groups i have some ideas but would like to know any perspectives of any engineers out there. Bridge is only about a foot long but it must have a small roadway on the bottom so that the teacher can put a little car with a hook on the bottom so he can add sand and see how strong the structure is. I already have a few ideas for support of the road but need some more help. What is the strongest design that can hold the most weight? HELP!
thanks
2007-01-07 08:24:36 · 2 answers · asked by Its Me! 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
I did this project when I was in high school. I had this design for a triangular tube bridge, but the teacher made me modify it so it could more easily hold the car with the hook, and it severely weakened it. The biggest killer of balsa bridges is the bending it does before it will break. If I were you I would create a bridge with an arch spanning the gap, with a very tall center mast, and with longer than expected overlap on the footings. The side view would look like an equilateral triangle with an arch at the bottom spanning the gap. The triangle should be almost twice as long as the arch.
2007-01-07 08:42:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Study up on trusses. Westpoint also has some software you can use. Trusses consist of a top chord, bottom chord and diagonal struts. The chords resist the bending force in the middle and the further they are separated the stronger they are. The diagonals resist the shear which is the greatest at the ends.
The top chord will be in compression and the bottom in tension, thus the top chords will also be subject to buckling. If you can, make the bottom chord with just one member.
There are many types of trusses. A good one is the bow truss.
2007-01-07 12:07:43 · answer #2 · answered by daedgewood 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋