PART 1: Start by working with ONE partner to work on free body diagrams, found here
The quiz that we will have later this week will assume you have done this materials. To do it well will take 15-30 minutes.
PART 2:
Go to the lab, and then download the West Point Bridge Designer software. Your goal today is to make a truss bridge at a height of at least 12 meters that has the lowest cost possible. You may work with ONE PARTNER ONLY. When you get done, optimize your bridge, than forward the bridge design file as an attachment to me at marciarpowell@gmail.com The bridge with the lowest cost will receive the most points.
PART 3: You will want to print a copy of the bridge design, as you will be making a model, so when you get done, your next step is to use a sheet of paper and make a usable scale drawing, where 1cm= 1m (Use the member list on the program to see the lengths that you will need).
PART 4: If you get done early, please look at the first 10 pages of the link on 5 Steps to Building a Bridge, which explains truss vocabulary. Turn in the scale drawing at the end of the hour.
On Wednesday, we will build the bridge. You can use manila file folders or balsa wood (popsicle sticks) as your material of choice. The glue used will be Elmer's white glue or Elmer's wood glue. DO NOT bring Gorilla glue for this project. The emphasis is on the building process, and accuracy, not on how strong Gorilla glue is. You may wish to bring some clothes pins to use as clamps.
The links below are very helpful. Tweet me if you have questions.
Hints on Building Bridges
5 Steps to Building a Bridge
Optimizing your West Point Bridge
