November 9 Meeting: Preview

We start our new bridge project at this week's meeting.

Objective: Construct a bridge that has the largest load to bridge weight ratio.

Materials:

Corrugated Cardboard 

Glue

Rules:

1.   The bridge must span a 4 foot gap.

2.   The bridge can be no more than 6 inches wide and 3 inches below the height of the testing surface.

3.   There is no limit to it being longer than 4 feet and there is no limit to its height above the testing surface.

4.   The bridge will be loaded with a rope attached to a metal plate that must sit on the bed of the bridge. The bridge must have a hole 1 inch in diameter and a flat surface of 3 x 3 inches to support the plate. The plate will be placed on the bridge at the center of the 4 foot gap and at the height of the test surface

5.   Calculation of load to bridge weight ratio:

R = (weight supported by bridge before collapsing)

(weight of finished bridge)

Side-view of Testing Rules