STRUCTURES AND FORCES:

BRIDGES

Project Deadlines

Monday December 2: ❏ Meet the team and assign roles. ❏ Create an agenda by having a team meeting to determine who will do what (Topic: Initial Meeting)❏ Begin research tasks.

Wednesday December 3: ❏ Engineering expert coming in to discuss specifically how to successfully create a popsicle stick bridge.❏ Check in with team member to see what gaps in knowledge are still there. ❏ Decide on plan to complete research aspect.

Thursday December 4: ❏ Share research with teammates ❏ Decide on basic bridge design❏ Begin drawing blueprints for bridge design (to scale).❏ Begin creating a proposal letter (template provided)

Friday December 5: ❏ Expert engineers from the U of A coming to give feedback and answer questions about the blueprint

bridge designs.❏ Continue designing blueprints❏ Continue with proposal letter

Monday December 8: ❏ Finalized blueprints brought from home. ❏ Proposal letter complete and brought from home. ❏ Decide on materials and cost, fill out invoice sheets and collect materials.❏ Begin construction on model bridge

Tuesday December 9:❏ Continue building model bridge

Wednesday December 10:❏ Continue building model bridge❏ Begin working on creating final presentation

Thursday December 11:❏ Continuing building model bridge❏ Continue working on creating final presentation

Friday December 12:❏ U of A experts coming to assess bridges!!❏ Have completed model ready to show❏ Have final presentation ready to show

Task #1 - Finding Out (Role-specific research)

Through research, gather the necessary background information needed for your group to base its planning decisions and ultimately steer its proposal. You will have the chance to search various sites online to obtain information relevant to your specific role. You will complete a research sheet, and then share this and any other data you have gathered with your team.

Within your team of engineers, individual specialists will be determined [The structural historian, the materials engineer, the design expert and the location consultant].

For each group, there will be 4 team members doing separate research, which will then be compiled and analyzed as a group.

Task #2 - Bringing it Together

Using the combined research data collected by each team member, use collaborative decision-making to create a design proposal that will best accomplish your task. If you generate more than one proposal you must then determine which design would be best in meeting the following: cost limitations, material availability and margin of safety. Your group will consult a 'real’ expert engineer to help you finalize your design choice. After this is done, any suggestions or recommendations must be noted in the final proposal.

Students will have the chance to meet with an expert on Friday December 5th. You will have limited time with this expert, so come prepared with your design(s) and specific questions you want answered.

Task #3 - Blueprints

Draft a drawing for your bridge design (from two perspectives). Keep in mind that this is the blueprint for the model you will be building, and that it should be realistic and where possible, to scale.

Any specific or small details that will not show up on your blueprints but are essential to the successful build of your bridge (i.e. joints, special modifications) should be included by adding small drawings by your bridge blueprint.

Task #4 - From Paper to 3-D

Using your drawing as a blueprint, create a model of your bridge (using materials provided: such as toothpicks, popsicle sticks, string, glue, etc.) The model should be to scale.

Task #5 - The Presentation

To accompany the model of your bridge design your group must develop a proposal which will summarize the research of your team and outline all of the considerations that you made in your task of selecting a design. This presentation is what would be considered in determining whether or not your firm (your team) would receive the contract for this design and construction project. It must be thorough and persuasive making use of fact and example.

Successful proposals will be chosen for cost/strength ratio, weight/strength ratio and aesthetics/strength ratio.

Welcome Experts!

You are now part of a four member team of engineering experts. Your company has been asked to submit a proposal for the development of a new bridge.

The current Walterdale Bridge has reached the end of its life. Your company has put your elite team of experts in charge of creating a proposal, blueprints and a model of a bridge of your

design to replace the existing bridge.

The parameters of this build are as follows:Actual Bridge Length Required Scaled Model Dimensions

500m - Length(distance across river)

50 cm

50m - Minimum Width (2 lane bridge)

5 cm

150m - Maximum Width (6 lane bridge + walking path)

15 cm

No height specifications No max/min height (keep in mind you are designing for cost and aesthetics)

Your bridges will be assessed on the following criteria:

1. Strength/Weight ratioa. This criteria is a ratio where both overall strength and material efficiency is measured. The calculation

used to determined the ratio is the maximum weight held before failure divided by the overall mass of the bridge model.

2. Aesthetics/Cost ratioa. This criteria is a ratio where both how aesthetically pleasing your bridge is and how efficiently you

used materials. This ratio is determined by taking the overall aesthetics (will be judged by impartial experts out of 100) and dividing that score by the overall cost of the bridge.

3. Overall Strengtha. This criteria is based solely on how much weight your bridge can handle before failure.

Task 1: Finding Out

THE ROLES The Structural Historian The Materials Engineer The Location Consultant

The Design Expert

Group Meeting Agenda #1

Recorder: ______________________Team Members: ____________________________________________________________

Part 1: Assign Roles

Part 2: Find the gaps

Gaps in our research we need to fill:

Structural History

Materials

Design

Location

Miscellaneous

Signature:_________________________________

Signature:_________________________________

Signature:_________________________________

Signature:________________________________

Design Expert Name:__________________________________

Your job is to research the different designs that might be used to build a bridge. Visit some of the websites listed under Resources (and any other resources you can find), and answer the following questions:

What are some of the different bridge designs that you might use?

What are the pros and cons of each of these options?

Bridge Type (include the name and a quick sketch)

Pros Cons When/where this design should be used

Which design do you think your team should use?

Why?

INCLUDE A LABELLED SKETCH THAT SHOWS HOW FORCES ACT ON THE BRIDGE

Location Consultant Name:___________________________

Your job is to make sure that the bridge that your team chooses and builds is the right bridge for the location. Visit some of the websites listed under Resources (and any other resources you can find), and answer the following questions:

What are the important factors at this location?

Geography:

Wildlife/Plants/Ecological Concerns:

Human Needs (i.e. What is the purpose or function of this bridge?):

Natural Forces (wind, freezing, erosion, etc.):

Geological Considerations (soil quality, etc.)

Other important information about this site:

Draw a labeled diagram of the location where the bridge will be built, highlighting any areas of special consideration.

What might your team need to do in order to build the best bridge for this specific location? List the top five things your team needs to keep in mind as they design and build.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Materials Engineer Name:________________________________

Your job is to research the different types of materials that might be used to build a bridge. Visit some of the websites listed under Resources (and any other resources you can find), and answer the following questions:

What materials are used in the building of bridges?

When you are comparing materials, consider the following:

How do these materials compare in terms of their strength: tensile, compressive, shear, torsion, etc.?

How do they compare in terms of their cost and availability?

What are the pros and cons of each of these options?

Material Pros Cons Other Considerations

How do they compare in terms of their weight and stability of the overall structure?

What are the pros and cons of each of these options?

Fastener/Joint Pros

What materials and fasteners do you think your team should use?

Why?

Structural Historian Name:____________________________________

Your job is to examine how past designs have succeeded or failed. Visit some of the websites listed under Resources (and any other resources you can find), and answer the following questions:

Identify examples of bridges that have failed.

What happened? Why did they fail?

Was the failure due to design, materials, extraordinary circumstances, etc.?

Identify examples of successful bridges.

Why were they successful? Why were these specific designs and materials selected?

What obstacles did they overcome?

Other Important Information

What else have you learned through your exploration of past bridge designs?

What are the top five things that you and your team need to keep in mind as you design and build your bridge?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Once you are done your initial research, assess each teammate’s research contribution. If a team member has not yet gathered enough data, a plan must be made to gather this information.

Structural Historian:

Student has located no information relevant to structural history.

Student has located a limited amount of information, some of which is relevant to structural history.

Student has located an adequate amount of information that is mostly relevant to structural history.

Student has located a great deal of information, all of which is relevant to structural history.

Self assessment:

Team assessment:

Teacher assessment:

Materials Engineer:

Student has located no information relevant to

Student has located a limited amount of information, some

Student has located an adequate amount of

Student has located a great deal of information, all of

building materials. of which is relevant to building materials.

information that is mostly relevant to building materials.

which is relevant to building materials.

Self assessment:

Team assessment:

Teacher assessment:

Design Expert:

Student has located no information relevant to bridge design.

Student has located a limited amount of information, some of which is relevant to bridge design.

Student has located an adequate amount of information that is mostly relevant to bridge design.

Student has located a great deal of information, all of which is relevant to bridge design.

Self assessment:

Team assessment:

Teachers assessment:

Location Consultant:

Student has located no information relevant to location characteristics.

Student has located a limited amount of information, some of which is relevant to location characteristics.

Student has located an adequate amount of information that is mostly relevant to location characteristics.

Student has located a great deal of information, all of which is relevant to location characteristics.

Self assessment:

Team assessment:

Teacher assessment:

Once your team has gathered adequate research data in all four areas, please have your information assessed by the teacher before proceeding to Task Two.

❏ Team Research complete❏ Research data okayed by teacher; begin Task Two❏ Teacher comments:

Task 2: Bringing it TogetherPart 1: Written Proposal

Part 2: Scientific Drawing of Rough Bridge design (not to scale)

Criteria for Scientific Drawings:

● Titles● Straight Lines (rulers needed)● Labels (lowercase lettering)● Labels to the right where possible● Labels line up● Clear details● Side and front views if necessary ● Little to no shading● colours match real objects as close as possible

Proposed Drawing

Key features and highlighted aspects

Group Meeting Agenda #2

Recorder: ______________________Team Members: _________________________________________________________

Feedback, Revisions and Final Decisions

Name: Likes

Concerns

Name: Likes

Concerns

Name: Likes

Concerns

Name: Likes

Concerns

Key features we are going to include on final design:

Rough drawing of final bridge design from multiple perspectives:

Signature:_________________________________

Signature:_________________________________

Signature:_________________________________

Signature:_________________________________

Task 3: Blueprints

1. Create scaled drawing of your group’s final bridge design from at least 2 perspectives (eg: side, top, bottom, cross-section etc)

a. Use graph paperb. Utilizes scientific drawing criteriac. Includes measurementsd. Includes force diagram

Group Meeting Agenda #3

Recorder: ______________________Team Members: ______________________Topic: ______________________

1. What perspectives are we going to draw and why? (how will it help when building your model)

2. Who is going to be responsible for each drawing?

3. When are the drawings going to be completed by?

Signature:________________________

Signature:________________________

Signature:________________________

Signature:________________________

Use the table on the back of this page, and these instructions, to help you plan out your bridge blueprint.

COLUMN ONE

The first thing you need to do is determine the ACTUAL dimensions of your bridge (in meters):

a) length of the bridge

b) height of the bridge

e) width of the bridge

f) distance between supports of bridge

COLUMN TWONow we will calculate the scale of your drawing for your blueprint.

length of “real-life” bridge (m) divided by length of bridge in drawing (cm)= the number of m that equals one cm on the blueprint

1 cm on blueprint = 10 m in real life

ex. 500 m (length of bridge) divided by 10 = 50 cm (distance to show on blueprint)

1 2

Dimension Actual Bridge Distance (Meters) Distance on blueprint (Centimeters)

Scale ( 1 cm =10 m)

a length of bridge

b height of bridge

c Width of bridge

dDistance between supports

eOther important measurements

Use the rubric below to assess your completed blueprint.

Area of Growth Minimal Proficient Excellent

Forces The blueprint does not show the forces acting on the bridge.

The blueprint shows only a few of the forces accurately.

The blueprint accurately shows most of the forces acting on the bridge.

The blueprint accurately shows all forces acting on the bridge.

Execution The blueprint is not neatly drawn and is not to scale.

The blueprint is neatly done OR follows scientific

The blueprint is mostly neatly done and mostly follows

The blueprint is drawn neatly and is accurately and follows all scientific

drawing criteria, but not both.

scientific drawing criteria

drawing criteria

Team assessment

Teacher assessment

Comments:

Task 4: Scale Model

Now it’s time to build! Of course everyone will be involved in the building process, but group members will need to take on an additional role as well. This the most critical portion of this entire project where in order to be successful, meet deadlines, stay organized and WIN the competition, you will need to work collaboratively, help each other out, stay on task and work effectively and efficiently!!!!!

Group Meeting Agenda #4

Recorder: ______________________Team Members: _________________________________________________________

List the materials your group will purchase first (include amounts)

Who is working on what parts of the bridge first?

Who is keeping track of the budget and expenses?

Who is doing the building log? (pictures & captions - 2 people required)

Who is finalizing the Proposal Binder?

Signature:________________________

Signature:________________________

Signature:________________________

Signature:________________________

Materials/Cost Sheet:Raw Materials Description Price/Unit

Popsicle sticks Medium strength wood building material $1.00 / 1

Tongue Depressor Heavy strength wood building material $4.00 / 1

Tooth Picks Light strength wood building material $0.10 / 1

Fishing wire Strong tension holding material $0.25 / 1 cm

String Good tension holding material (can be used as tie as well) $0.25 / 1 cm

Pipe Cleaner All in one (tension wire/tie/aesthetic upgrade) $5.00 / 1

Cardstock Light but adjustable building material (create to suit your needs!) $4.00 / 1 sheet

Card Board Heavy duty building material that is still adjustable $8.00 / 15x15cm

Straws Column building material $0.50 / 1

Fasteners and Joints

Scotch Tape Light adhesive, apply lots $0.10 / 1 cm

Duct Tape Heavy duty adhesive for wrapping materials $0.50 / 1 cm

Wire Tie product, no wait time for drying $0.25 / 1 cm

Carpenter Glue Strongest adhesive, works on multiple surfaces, Long drying time, should be clamped.

$5.00 / 1 stick

Hot Glue versatile, works with a variety of materials VERY FAST DRYING $20.00 / 1 stick(gun rental included)

Staples Good fastener for paper products (includes use of stapler) $0.10 / 1 staple

Aesthetic Upgrades

Individual Paints includes brushes and a variety of colour. Great for adding a personal touch.

$5.00 / 15 ml

Decorations perfect for making your bridge as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Materials are rare and are only available while supplies last.

$1.00 / piece

Rentables

Small Clamps Helpful for holding small building material together while they dry $10.00

Large Clamps Bigger and stronger for holding larger materials together while they dry $20.00

Budget Sheet

Date: Description/Items Invoice # Expense Amount

Total Material Expense:

calculated at end of project

TASK FIVE: THE PROPOSALYour proposal binder must include. Make sure all pieces are clearly named and titled:

❏ Task 1 ❏ Each group member’s research.

❏ Task 2❏ Each member's initial bridge design❏ Final Bridge design drawing and rational❏ Written Proposal Letter

❏ Task 3❏ Blueprints

❏ Task 4❏ Building process log❏ Budget sheet with invoices

Bridge Proposal RubricArea of Growth Minimal Proficient Excellent

Task 1

Knowledge

Initiating and Planning

Very little evidence that any research was completed by any group members

Research from 1 or more group members is missing and/or incomplete

All group members research is present but not completely thorough, detailed and filled out including diagrams where appropriate

All group members research is thorough, detailed and completely filled out including diagrams where appropriate

Task 2

Analysis and Interpretation

Communication and teamwork

Lots of missing components, not very much evidence of work is shown

There are some missing design and proposal letter is not completely finished.

All group members initial drawings and the group's final design is included. Designs are not completely thorough and detailed. Written proposal letter is included but not very thorough.

All group members initial drawings and the group's final design is included. Designs are thorough and detailed. Written proposal letter is included.

Task 3

Performing and recording

Blueprints are not neat, not drawn to scale and do not follow the scientific drawing criteria

Blueprints have missing components when measuring if they are neat, drawn to scale, and follow the criteria of a scientific drawing.

The blueprints are mostly neat, drawn to scale, and generally follow the criteria of a scientific drawing.

Blueprints are neat, drawn to scale, and follow the criteria of a scientific drawing.

Task 4

Communication and teamwork

Performing and recording

Analysis and Interpretation

Your group needed lots of intervention and help to work together. The 3D model does not reflect what is on the blueprints

Your group needed some intervention to stay on task and work together. The 3-D model built only resembles the blueprints a little and includes some major design flaws

You group needed very little support to work together. The 3-D model is a close representation from your blueprints but includes some design flaws

You group worked effectively and efficiently to create a 3-D model representation from your blueprints, being reflective and adjusting to challenges if necessary to avoid design flaws.

RESOURCES:

Choose best bridge out of 4 after reading about bridge types and location characteristics.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/

Building Bighttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/

Gallopin’ Gertie video cliphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyiYjthZimM

Engineering Disastershttp://listverse.com/2007/12/04/top-10-worst-engineering-disasters/

Types of Bridgeshttp://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/types-of-bridges/

Historical Bridgeshttp://www.historyofbridges.com/

Edmonton Walterdale Bridge Projecthttps://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/walterdale-bridge.aspx

Tips for Model Bridge Buildinghttps://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1B6SGkq4u3GLW5rMkRlU1FFOWs

Building Popsicle Stick Model Bridgeshttp://www.instructables.com/id/Popsicle-Stick-Bridge/