By Dane Wrye Ben Ghusn. 1 st Engagement West Point Bridge Designer Introduction Objectives 1. Build...

STEM LAB

ByDane WryeBen Ghusn

WEST POINT BRIDGE DESIGNER

1st Engagement

West Point Bridge DesignerIntroduction

Objectives1. Build the most stable br

idge, disregarding cost.2. Build three bridges of di

fferent types for as cheap as possible.

3. Build the most cost efficient bridge overall that can handle a truck.

4. Get a bridge through the crusher without it breaking.

5. Build the wackiest, weirdest bridge possible that can hold a truck.

Welcome to West Point Bridge Designer! Here we virtually design,

build, and test bridges. The program we use is West Point Bridge Designer

2012. Although it defies logic at times, it is still a pretty good

program, and gets done what needs to be done. But we go farther than

just digital. In fact, we build our very own bridge out of wood and put it through the “crusher” without it

breaking. To do this, a combination of balsa wood, glue, rulers, scissors, and

wax paper all come together.

What Have We Learned?You know, about bridges and stuff

Bridge Vocabulary Compression – A force that attempts to push

together what is affected by it Tension – A force that attempts to pull apart

what is affected by it Span – The distance between two supports of a

bridge Truss – Supporting latticework Torsion – A rotational force that affects

material Load – Weight distribution throughout the

bridge Dissipate – To spread a force out

Bridge Vocabulary Abutment – Supports at the end of the bridge Member – A beam that connects joints Joint – “A device connecting two or more adjacent

parts of a structure.” (www.dot.state.oh.us) Tension Member – Members that are under a force

of tension Compression Member – Members that are under a

force of compression Spandrels – Vertical supports that distribute weight Transfer – To move force from a weak place to a

strong one

What We’ve Learned• Bridge related Vocabulary• How to use West Point Bridge Designer to

design bridges• How hard it is to get the wood glue out of

the container• How to scale down and build bridges out of

wood• Triangles are the strongest geometric shape• Members under tension and compression

must be thicker than regular Members• Carbon steel is garbage

Triangles Vs SquaresWhy Triangles are the Strongest Geometric Shape

Triangles are the strongest geometric shape due to their ability to distribute weight to either side.

Squares can’t distribute weight as well as triangles, so they collapse more easily.

How to Design a BridgeA Guide

To get to West Point Bridge Designer (we’re using 2012), go to:Start>Quick Access>West Point Bridge Designer (2012)


Close the quick tip. They are generally useless.


Select “Create a New Bridge Design” and click “OK.”When a new screen comes up, press “Next.” Do this again for the screen after.


You can choose between normal abutments or arched ones. If you choose arch, you can adjust the size. A pier hold up the bridge in the middle. A cable anchorage hold cables down.


Here there is a choice between medium and high-strength concrete. High strength costs more, but is much sturdier. Then, you can choose between two-lane loading and one-lane. One-lane loading can hold much more weight. Click “Next.”


Here you can select a template for your truss. You can choose one the templates , or you can make your own. Remember, the templates change based on your previous choices. For our bridge, we chose a Warren deck truss. Then click “Next.”


If you want to name your bridge, here’s your chance. These are completely optional. Once you’re done filling out what you want to, click “Finish.”


Now it’s time to fill in the joints and members. Use the tool box to select which tool to use, then click around to see what each one does.


After you’ve confidently designed your bridge, or just your truss, click the “Test” button, or CTRL + L.


Success!Or maybe not? If not, go back to the drawing board and edit your bridge.

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever!

Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000!Objective 1 Complete

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Economical Bridges In The WorksNot yet Available in Stores

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The Best Bang For The BuckThis Bridge gets it Done CheapObjective 3 Complete$198,457.30

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Real Life Truss BridgeTesting Phase

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Real Life Truss BridgeComing Together

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Real Life Truss BridgeDemonstration

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Just Plain CoolWe have no idea what happened to these thingsObjective 5 Complete

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An Interview With Dane and Ben

Structural Engineers

Q&A With Ben and Dane Did you achieve your goal? – Yes, we believe we did. What helped you learn how to use the technology? – I

believe we already knew how to use the technology, especially Ben, but anything we didn’t know was solved by a Google search or just looking around.

Was it too easy, just right, or too hard? – We think this was just right, as it presented enough problems too keep us busy, but nothing too difficult or overwhelming.

What can you pass on to the next group of architects? – We think we can pass on that you have to pay attention to detail when building bridges.

What standard do you feel you have achieved? – We feel like we have achieved and set a high standard.

By Dane Wrye Ben Ghusn. 1 st Engagement West Point Bridge Designer Introduction Objectives 1. Build...

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