How do you design a bridge with these materials?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on designing a bridge using specific materials: 4 drinking straws, 10 dressmaker's pins, 5 five-peso coins, 1 short bond paper, and 1 meter of sticky tape. Key considerations include determining the bridge's span, the weight it must support, and addressing torque in the structure. Participants emphasize the importance of triangular shapes for structural integrity and suggest that longer dimensions resist bending more effectively than flatter objects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic engineering principles
  • Knowledge of structural design concepts
  • Familiarity with material properties and weight distribution
  • Basic problem-solving skills in engineering contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of bridge design and structural integrity
  • Learn about the use of triangles in engineering structures
  • Explore weight distribution techniques in bridge construction
  • Investigate the effects of torque on structural stability
USEFUL FOR

Students in engineering or architecture programs, educators teaching structural design, and hobbyists interested in bridge-building projects.

davedj23
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how do you build & design a bridge with these materials?

4 drinking straws
10 pieces dressmaker's oin
5 pieces of 5-peso coins (the bridge should be able to withstand the weight of these coins)
1 short bond paper
and a
1 meter sticky tape


Anyone who has performed this project already? Please! I'm in dire need of help.

and by the way, i need a thesis regarding this! please! help me! :smile:
 
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This appears to be schoolwork. Tell us your ideas and let us know where you are stuck.

To help you get started, remember that engineers are problem solvers. So first you determine the problems to be solved such as: the length of the bridge's span; weight to be supported, including the bridge's own weight; dealing with torgue on the structure (in large suspension bridges this is partly handled by the width of the structure and by placing a curve toward the end on one bank); type of foundation and location of foundation points. These are some of the possible problems to be considered.

Tell us your ideas so far.
 
Artman said:
This appears to be schoolwork.

Agreed. Moved.

[/moderator hat]
 
Think "Triangles."

Also, an object with a longer dimension perpendicular to the direction of bending resists bending better than a "flatter" object.
 

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