Build a Spaghetti Bridge for 11th Grade Physics

[Mendax]

I need to make a spaghetti bridge for 11th grade physics. I already have an idea, though I would appreciate your opinions.

Dimensions:

The top can be 110cm long, 50cm high, and have a 10 cm width. The bridge can extend off the bottom 10cm and have a total length of 100cm (you may have noticed that the top is longer than the bottom... that's because the blocks holding the bridge up on both sides will take some space on the bottom).

I have a picture, but I can't post it yet. Can I pm them to another member, (preferably the first person who replies), so (s)he can put it up?

Additional information:

Please note that the dimensions in the picture are for the large bride. I have an option of building a small bride, the differences being the 100cm bottom gap should be 50cm and the 110cm top should be 60cm. The large bridge should be 2000g and the small bridge should be 1000g. Please note that these are the maximum values allowed.

A 6cm x 6cm x 10cm car should pass freely through the entire bridge.

The weights will be held by a U-bolt on the bottom-center of the bridge.

Idea:

To help distribute the weight from the middle and towards the ends of the bridge, I decided to try a diamond type shape. Basically, it looks like this- <>.

This is something that would really be helpful to provide a picture, but once again I am not able to do so because of forum regulations.

So, I was just hoping you guys could give me tips on how I could improve my design.

 

[mgb_phys]

Think triangles!
In engineering the structure is called a truss, there are a huge number of different truss designs, just look at any victorian railway bridge.

Another tip = don't cook the spaghetti!

 

[Mendax]

Thanks for the tip.

If I Pm the pictures to you, would you mind adding them to your post? It's hard to describe my design and pictures would make it easier for everyone.

 

[Mendax]

Sorry to double post, but I need to bump this because I'll be working on the bridge tomorrow.

 

[Kushal]

upload the pic on tinypic.com(google the website) and then post the link of the pic. easy

 

[Mendax]

It doesn't allow me to post urls either.

 

[montoyas7940]

I would say PM it to me but I am leaving in a moment and won't be home all day. Sorry. Maybe you could just do something like this "www yahoo dot com" most people will know how to deal with it. You could also report your post to a moderator and ask them to add your link.

 

[Kushal]

you can PM it to me then, i'll post it.