SAMPLEBridgeDesignDocument:

Research:Inthissectionstudentswillansweraresearchquestionrelatedtotheirproject.Theywillbescoredontherelevanceoftheirquestion,howwelltheyanswerthequestionandcitetheirsources.(5ormorereliablesources)

SampleQuestions: Whatarethebenefits/limitationsofdifferentbridgestructures?

Whatrolesdocompressionandtensionplayinabridgestructure?Whatmakesagoodbridge?

Specifications:DrawingBoardViewofBridge(fromWestPointBridgeDesign):

3DModelofBridge(fromSketchup):

PictureofactualBridge:

BridgeDimensions: Length:212mm Width:22mm Height:38mm

Testing:VirtualTesting:StudentswillexplainhowtheydesignedandtestedtheirbridgeintheWestPointBridgeDesignprogramandwhatmodificationstheymadetoimproveitsstructuralefficiency.Thiscouldincludeminoradjustmentssuchasincreasing/decreasingthesizeofindividualcomponents;ormajorchangessuchascompleteredesignoruseofacompletelydifferentstructure.PictureofLoadTestinWPBD:

PhysicalTesting:Studentswilldescribewhatmodificationstheymadeaftertestingtheirbridgepastitsbreakingpoint.Theyshouldincludeapictureofthebrokenbridgeandexplainwhatchangesweremadetoincreasestrengthandpreventrepeatedfailure.PictureofBrokenBridge:

Conclusion:Wedecidedto…Wealso…toincreasestructuralefficiency.Thenwe…toincreasethestrengthofpieces4and16sotheydidn’tbreakagain.Fromourresearchwelearnedthat…