Last week we finished our work on the static of bridge
design using the method of joints to solve for the forces in the members. We
also worked on finishing up and testing the final design of our bridges,
testing numerous small factors and detail to minimize cost and increase
strength. Small changes such as changing the length of pieces and changing the
gusset type.
What I have learned about bridge designing is that the
maximum capacity of the bridge is determined by the maximum pull out force of a
gusset and that the tension can be reduced in a member via the force
distributing to adjacent members. I learned that the point of failure is at the
gussets and usually occurs at the ends as they have to take all the weight to disperse
it to the ground. Also I have discovered through testing that having fixed connections
are important as free ones cause the bridge to be able to shift and bend and
will cause a easy quicker failure. I learned that hollow bars are better to use
then solid bars as they have more give and flexibility, and that the most
stable shape is the triangle so it is essential to the design of a truss. Finally
I learned that the cost of a bridge is directly proportional to the weight of
the bridge. There were many other things that I learned but this are some of
the most important
This week in class we will be having our in class
competition to see what group had the highest strength to cost ratio. All are
work and testing comes down to this.
- Kyle Hayes
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