West Point Bridge Designer

Capstone Course Orientation

West Point Bridge Designer

Purpose of this orientation1. Create a guide for WPB2. Introduce basic design functions in WPB3. Define structural members of Truss Bridge4. Define test measurements and applications 5. Procedure for creating a template for practice6. Steps for design and testing of bridge

Designing a Bridge

Contest information if entering local contest

Deck and Support

Deck Material and Truck Loading

Truss Template (optional)

Title Block

Design Steel Truss

General Look

Component Parts of a Truss Bridge

3 Dimensional View Elevation (Side) View

Load Test AnimationAfter designing a bridgeclick the test icon under ‘Report’ menu. The design will animate and test the integrity of the bridge.

OopsThe main support beam (red) was not strong or thick enough.

The truss beam was not supported and collapsed.

Areas that are under lots of stress turn red.

Load Combinations Load Combinations factor several different types of load at the same time

IE A bridge must carry its own weight at the same time carry traffic and pedestrians

It might also have special considerations for wind, snow, ice and sometimes earthquakes

All Testing

Total Load = 1.25Ws + 1.5Ww + 1.75T (1+ DLA)

Determining Engineering Properties

• Materials– Yield Stress -Modulus of elasticity -Mass Density

• Cross Section– Cross-section area - moment of inertia

• Graph– Strength v. length for • Tension and compression

Follow this design treeTo check for organization

Creating a New Bridge

Begin creating your design.

This page describes the process of creating a bridge.

Step 2Select no unless otherwise given instructions by your teacher and click next.

Step 3Choose the design for your bridge.Keep in mind the weight and cost.

Completing a Bridge

• Follow the steps in the program • Assessments- See assessments loaded to this lesson

• Test the bridge using engineering design properties