Week 10-Term Review

During the previous week in class, our group conducted our final testing for the K'nex bridge design. Using the excel spreed sheet, we calculated the bill of materials for our final bridge to be around $ 395,500. From previously conducted testing and analysis, we predicted that the bridge would uphold more than 25 pounds. Our bridge satisfied our prediction and was capable to uphold 31.8 pounds. We concluded that our bridge design was able to provide a reasonable cost to weight ratio of $12,359 per pound. This week in lab, we will be reflecting upon the materials covered and learned throughout the entire term.


As the term comes to an end, I realized that I have been able to accomplish many things both individually and as a group. Each week was a new learning experience and discovery to a new aspect of engineering that I was unfamiliar with. Some of the notable accomplishments include being able to conduct Forensic analysis, Truss Analysis, Computer modeling, Drafting Plan and Elevation Drawings. There were several challenges that was encountered during the learning process. As a group, we were able to overcome these challenges and improve our project. 


In my perspective, I would consider the least beneficial to be the Bridge designer. There were several constraints that needed to be satisfied for the program to calculate the tension and compression on the membranes. These constraints limited the amount of nodes to amount of membranes which made it impossible for my group to mirror our design into the program. However, the program allowed me to understand the importance of tension and compression in the design process. Conducting the actual testing was the most beneficial in terms of improving the design and the cost of weight ratio. My only suggestion would be to provide the students with more time for the physical testing of the K'nex bridge. I would recommend this course to any engineer seeking a career in the Civil and Architectural Field. Overall, the course was well organized and provided great knowledge to the engineering aspects contained in the innovating process.