What type of bridge can hold the most weight ?

Question

Im in gr 12 and i need to build a bridge out of sticks. The bridge Has to hold as much weight as possible.

Answer 1

Try to make an I-beam construction.

----
|
----

Also, make it so that the pieces are binded as the following:

------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------

that's the top view of the bridge. then place flat pieces on top so that it can avoid bending forces.
make sure you apply lots of glue.
I made a bridge like this and it withstood about 105kg

I've included part of my blueprints I've used in high school. (check the link below)
You should be creative and make your own based on how I utilized the characteristics of the Popsicle sticks.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2039/blueprint1fu3.jpg

Answer 2

Note:This is general information and not in reference to your project.
There are over ten different main kinds of bridges. The most common kinds are the: arch, cable-stayed, suspension, cantilever, and truss bridges.
Arch Bridge
The arch bridge has an arch spanning across the bridge. In the deck arch bridge the arch is under the roadway. In the half-through arch, the roadway is halfway through the arch. The weight in the center of the bridge pushes out to the abutments at the foundation.

Cable-Stayed Bridge
The cable-stayed bridge has two towers on either side of the bridge. Coming diagonally down from both sides of the tower are huge cables. They are spread out across the bridge. The cables go to the edge of the bridge and almost meet in the center. The other cables attached nearer to the middle of the tower don’t go out quite as far. The big cables make this bridge sturdy.

Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge is used for long distances. It has two big cables draped from the two towers at either end of the bridge. From the cables there are other cables hanging down that attach to the side of the roadway. These cables make the bridge very strong.

Beam Bridge
The beam bridge is the simplest bridge. It used to be just a rock or log across a stream. The greatest stress on a beam bridge is in the center where there is no pier to support it.

Amongst these, the cable stayed bridge holds the most weight, then the suspension bridge and the beam bridge holds the least weight.

Answer 3

If you have to use sticks, then build a truss. I would use a bow truss or something similar.

The type of bridge that can hold the most weight for a given amount of material is the suspension bridge, but you need more than sticks.

See some of my previous posts regarding this subject for info on trusses and their design.

Answer 4

The strongest bridge can hold the most weight. What was your guess? Did you think the weakest bridge?

Answer 5

a natural bridge of course

Answer 6

u know pressure = force / area

more the area more weigth force it will support

u can also use young's modulus concept cuz too much weight can put fatigue effect