Why do triangular shapes work best for distributing weight in bridge building?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HeJind
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Load Weight
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Triangular shapes are optimal for weight distribution in bridge building due to their intrinsic strength, as they are the only convex polygons that maintain their shape under load. When constructing a bridge with popsicle sticks, understanding the tension and compression forces acting on each side of the triangle is crucial. A well-designed truss can effectively distribute pressure, as evidenced by a previous project that supported over 570 lbs. The rigidity of triangles prevents deformation, ensuring stability and strength in bridge designs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of truss structures and their variations
  • Basic principles of tension and compression in engineering
  • Knowledge of materials used in bridge construction, such as popsicle sticks
  • Familiarity with load distribution concepts in structural design
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanics of truss design in civil engineering
  • Explore the properties of different polygon shapes in structural applications
  • Learn about load testing methodologies for bridge structures
  • Investigate software tools for simulating structural integrity in bridge designs
USEFUL FOR

Civil engineers, architecture students, hobbyists building model bridges, and anyone interested in the principles of structural design and weight distribution.

HeJind
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Sorry if my English is bad. We're building bridges and learning about truss and truss variations, but I'm still confused as to why the triangular shapes work best and what they achieve. How would I know side would be compressed and which would be tense?

We have to build a bridge using roughly 10 dozen popsicle sticks. If I want to apply pressure/load to the middle, how would I design the bridge to distribute this evenly?

Apparantly last year someone got over 570llbs
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Triangles "work best" because they're the only convex polygon that has intrinsic strength. You cannot change any angle of a triangle without also changing the length of one of the sides. You can change the angles of any other convex polygon without changing the length of any side; e.g. a square can be deformed into a parallelogram.
 

Similar threads

Which design is better for a popsicle stick bridge: left or right?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
Building a rooftop for workshop
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How many steel profiles do I need to support a workshop roof in Santiago, Chile?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Building a Strong Popsicle Stick Bridge: Tips and Tricks
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
18K
Which would be strongest (popsicle stick bridges)?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
13K
Pratt vs Howe Truss Bridge Building: Deciding for Physics Class
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
52K
I35W Bridge Collapse - Potential Flaw
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Modern Digital Audio: Understanding Dither and Oversampling in Hi-Res Age
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
Why Do Cables Use dx for Distributed Loads and ds for Weight?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
What if Gravity could be controlled?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K