What is the Bridge Design Project The bridge design project is a engineering project where students have to design a bridge that is 10 meters wide and has two lanes. The bridge crosses a valley that starts at 24 meters deep and meters wide. The height at which you begin building can be changed by excavating the build site. The goal is to create a bridge that has the lowest cost possible. The decisions you make relating to the site, materials, and connections all can add or subtract from the cost of your bridge. |
Brainstorming and DesigningFor my bridge template, I chose a continuous arch- Pratt. I chose this because the arch abutments would give the bridge extra stability and also cost less than the pier or cable anchorage options. I added a second arch because it would lessen the amount of force on the other beams so that I could hollow them, make them thinner, or change their material; which would make it weaker if not for the second arch. I changed the material, hollowness, and thickness so that I could bring the materials cost down.
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My ProjectI enjoyed this project because it taught me many things about engineering and myself. I learned about the strengths and weaknesses of materials, trusses, distribution of weight, and use of the design process. I also learned that I enjoy designing parts of a project and would like to continue to design new things. I also liked using the bridge designer program. |