Bridge Process

Over the last few weeks I have learned alot from engineering lab

Week 8 - Bridge Testing

Week 9 - Bridge Process

Over the past 9 weeks, I have realized that my knowledge on Bridges and conducting analysis have expanded tremendously. I have become more familiar working with bridge design software such as WPBD and K'NEX to construct prototypes. Along with that, I learned to conduct truss analysis on the K’NEX Bridge by applying the “Method of Joints” and using the online software called the Bridge designer. The truss analysis enabled me to understand how tension and compression plays a major role in the designing process. Furthermore, I discovered that there are several factors that needs to be taken in to consideration during the designing process. The fact that attaching more membranes to the connectors increases the tensile pull-out force, changed my designing perspective. In conclusion, I learned the engineering aspects of Bridge Design process and understood the issues that will engage in the field of designing large structures.

During the previous week in class, our group remodeled the K’NEX bridge with the new set of constraints for our K’NEX Bridge. The Bridge redesigned to span 36 inches with a minimum width of 3.5 inches. From the information that was shown online, our group attached more membranes to the connectors to increase the pull-out force. To reduce the price, we also decided to replace the small membranes with longer membranes to reduce the amount of connectors. Our group conducted more forensic analysis and concluded that the bridge collapsed by being twisting. Therefore, the bridge went through more modification to allow the bridge to withheld twisting. This week in lab, we will be focusing majority of the time redesigning and conducting our final K’NEX Bridge test. 

Week 9 - Bridge Process

As the term comes to an end, I have gained significant knowledge on the bridge designing process. One very important and interesting concept I have learned about the process is how to analyze the forces applied on the truss bridges. One method we use was called “Method of Joints” to calculate the tension and compression on each membrane. Along with the calculation done by hand, “Bridge Design” automatically computes the values, which serves as a back up for the calculations. Finding tension and compression is very essential for the design processes to make an effective bridge. According to the values, I was able to make areas of the web stronger or remove unnecessary membranes to save money.

Last week in lab we were given the majority of the time to build the three-foot spanning bridge. We had to take in consideration the new constrains, such as the inside of the bridge has to be hollow by 3 inches wide and 2 inches in height. My group had most of the bridge created before lab so all we had to do was fix it a little and test it. During the test, our bridge held 26 pounds and collapsed by twisting. For the rest of the lab we finished modifying the bridge and made it ready for this week’s lab, where the whole class is required to do the final test.