Build a Pasta Bridge: Physics Challenge & Tutorials

[pjdjohn269]

hello there Physics friends.
I am building a Pasta Bridge.
The Bridge can be made of Any solid, round, commercial pasta (e.g. spaghetti, spaghettini or vermicelli) may be used as long as its initial diameter is not greater than 3 mm and not less than 1 mm. The Bridges must span a gorge measured from vertical contact to vertical contact. The horizontal surface of the gorge on each side is used for support. The vertical edge of the gorge may not be used (no thrust support from side banks permitted). All bridges have to be able to support their own weight when spanning the gorge.
Gorge width:750 millimeters The vertical depth of your bridge may not exceed 500 mm.
The maximum weight of the bridge is 600 grams including "U-bolt". The “Official U-Bolt and Platform” must be built into your bridge. The official U-Bolt is centrally located on a 7 mm x 50 mm x 100 mm wood platform. The platform shall be located at the mid-span of your bridge at, or above , the horizontal surface of the gorge.

Any Links, Math, Ideas.. Or tutorials would be appreciated
Thank you.

 

[berkeman]

hello there Physics friends.
I am building a Pasta Bridge.
The Bridge can be made of Any solid, round, commercial pasta (e.g. spaghetti, spaghettini or vermicelli) may be used as long as its initial diameter is not greater than 3 mm and not less than 1 mm. The Bridges must span a gorge measured from vertical contact to vertical contact. The horizontal surface of the gorge on each side is used for support. The vertical edge of the gorge may not be used (no thrust support from side banks permitted). All bridges have to be able to support their own weight when spanning the gorge.
Gorge width:750 millimeters The vertical depth of your bridge may not exceed 500 mm.
The maximum weight of the bridge is 600 grams including "U-bolt". The “Official U-Bolt and Platform” must be built into your bridge. The official U-Bolt is centrally located on a 7 mm x 50 mm x 100 mm wood platform. The platform shall be located at the mid-span of your bridge at, or above , the horizontal surface of the gorge.

Any Links, Math, Ideas.. Or tutorials would be appreciated
Thank you.

Welcome to the PF.

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[Spinnor]

Also try a Google image and web search, "how to build a pasta bridge", or something like that:

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...e=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=800&bih=411

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...Bag&um=1&biw=800&bih=411&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw