How Can the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse Inspire Your Science Fair Project?

[Azu]

Homework Statement

Hi, i want to do a science fair project on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse. I want to do a research on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse and how it taught us what structures stabilize a bridge against wind forces.
I also want to build something that would demonstrate the flutter effect. First i thought i should build a bridge and test it in a windtunnel, but i don't know what material i should use, and i think it would be expensive.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

So, i was thinking about not building a bridge, but something else that would demonstrate the flutter effect, something that wouldn't be so expensive :)

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi Azu! Welcome to PF!

If you want a project on aeroelastic flutter, how about going green , and following this up, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeroelasticity#Flutter" …

It is however not always a destructive force; recent progress has been made in small scale (table top) wind generators for underserved communities in developing countries, designed specifically to take advantage of this effect.[1][2]

 

[Redbelly98]

A fan and a strip of paper, held at each end, might be able to demonstrate the flutter effect.