Paper Bridge Project: Design for Holding 20+ lbs with 1 Sheet of Paper

[svaningen]

Paper bridge project !

hi i have a paper bridge project coming up and need some help making a design that will hold the most. the rules are the bridge has to made with one sheet of lined paper and no adhesives are aloud including tape and glue. the bridge needs to span 12 cms and hold as much as possible. past designs have held more than 20 lbs. any help will be much appreciated

thanx,
stefan

 

[WhoWee]

I assume the single sheet of paper must be foldeded into shape and neither torn nor cut?

 

[thehacker3]

it can be cut but that would ruin the integrity of the paper

i would make one that looks like the letter A

 

[svaningen]

I assume the single sheet of paper must be foldeded into shape and neither torn nor cut?

it can be cut or torn,

 

[svaningen]

it can be cut but that would ruin the integrity of the paper

i would make one that looks like the letter A

how would i make it into an A and hold as much as possible?

 

[xxChrisxx]

Think about what qualities the paper has, What qualities does the tape/string have? (edit: nm you aren't allowed them, in that case research joints).Also think about how bridges are loaded.

Hint: It depends on the shape of the material.As you've stated this is a project, I'll help you as though it were a homework question, so no freee answers :D

 

[WhoWee]

Also think about how bridges are loaded.

Consider the length of your bridge. Are there any specifications on ground clearance or number of points touching the ground?

 

[svaningen]

Consider the length of your bridge. Are there any specifications on ground clearance or number of points touching the ground?

no the only rule is that it has to span 12cm

 

[thehacker3]

dude, 12 cm is soooo short... seriously research joints and how to construct the optimal paper bridge on google

first result i found when looking for "paper bridge"
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081125190512AAlSO2j

 

[Lok]

no the only rule is that it has to span 12cm[/QUOTE

I would suggest a crease folding in a zigzag pattern ( fold on one side then other etc etc) out of two halfs, mayber you should use a bit of paper for tarmac and a small bit for holding the creases from unfolding horizontally ( there are paper binding solutions with no glue for this, so find one). 12 cm means you have plenty of paper.

Hand rolling makes for very stable paper rolls, without much effort. but to keep them rolled that is a problem.

 

[thehacker3]

Hand rolling makes for very stable paper rolls, without much effort. but to keep them rolled that is a problem.

Can you lick it? ;)


Kidding; the easiest way would be to carefully cut a slit and use a T-shaped piece at the end of the roll and slip that through a horizontal slit cut in the sidewall of the roll.