By Dane Wrye Ben Ghusn Stem Lab

WEST POINT BRIDGE DESIGNER 1st Engagement WEST POINT BRIDGE DESIGNER

West Point Bridge Designer Introduction Objectives Build the most stable bridge, disregarding cost. Build three bridges of different types for as cheap as possible. Build the most cost efficient bridge overall that can handle a truck. Get a bridge through the crusher without it breaking. Build the wackiest, weirdest bridge possible that can hold a truck. Welcome to West Point Bridge Designer! Here we virtually design, build, and test bridges. The program we use is West Point Bridge Designer 2012. Although it defies logic at times, it is still a pretty good program, and gets done what needs to be done. But we go farther than just digital. In fact, we build our very own bridge out of wood and put it through the “crusher” without it breaking. To do this, a combination of balsa wood, glue, rulers, scissors, and wax paper all come together.

You know, about bridges and stuff What Have We Learned?

Bridge Vocabulary Load – Weight distribution throughout the bridge Compression – A force that attempts to push together what is affected by it Tension – A force that attempts to pull apart what is affected by it Span – The distance between two supports of a bridge Truss – Supporting latticework Torsion – A rotational force that affects material Load – Weight distribution throughout the bridge Dissipate – To spread a force out

Bridge Vocabulary Abutment – Supports at the end of the bridge Member – A beam that connects joints Joint – “A device connecting two or more adjacent parts of a structure.” (www.dot.state.oh.us) Tension Member – Members that are under a force of tension Compression Member – Members that are under a force of compression Spandrels – Vertical supports that distribute weight Transfer – To move force from a weak place to a strong one

What We’ve Learned Bridge related Vocabulary How to use West Point Bridge Designer to design bridges How hard it is to get the wood glue out of the container How to scale down and build bridges out of wood Triangles are the strongest geometric shape Members under tension and compression must be thicker than regular Members Carbon steel is garbage

Triangles Vs Squares Why Triangles are the Strongest Geometric Shape Triangles are the strongest geometric shape due to their ability to distribute weight to either side. Squares can’t distribute weight as well as triangles, so they collapse more easily.

How to Design a Bridge A Guide To get to West Point Bridge Designer (we’re using 2012), go to: Start>Quick Access>West Point Bridge Designer (2012)

How to Design a Bridge A Guide Close the quick tip. They are generally useless.

How to Design a Bridge A Guide Select “Create a New Bridge Design” and click “OK.” When a new screen comes up, press “Next.” Do this again for the screen after.

How to Design a Bridge A Guide You can choose between normal abutments or arched ones. If you choose arch, you can adjust the size. A pier hold up the bridge in the middle. A cable anchorage hold cables down.

How to Design a Bridge A Guide Here there is a choice between medium and high-strength concrete. High strength costs more, but is much sturdier. Then, you can choose between two-lane loading and one-lane. One-lane loading can hold much more weight. Click “Next.”

How to Design a Bridge A Guide Here you can select a template for your truss. You can choose one the templates , or you can make your own. Remember, the templates change based on your previous choices. For our bridge, we chose a Warren deck truss. Then click “Next.”

How to Design a Bridge A Guide If you want to name your bridge, here’s your chance. These are completely optional. Once you’re done filling out what you want to, click “Finish.”

How to Design a Bridge A Guide Now it’s time to fill in the joints and members. Use the tool box to select which tool to use, then click around to see what each one does.

How to Design a Bridge A Guide After you’ve confidently designed your bridge, or just your truss, click the “Test” button, or CTRL + L.

How to Design a Bridge A Guide Success! Or maybe not? If not, go back to the drawing board and edit your bridge.

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete Back

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete

Introducing The Sturdiest Bridge Ever! Now it can be yours for the low cost of $7,000,000! Objective 1 Complete Back

Economical Bridges In The Works Not yet Available in Stores Back

The Best Bang For The Buck This Bridge gets it Done Cheap Objective 3 Complete $198,457.30 Back

Real Life Truss Bridge Testing Phase Back

Real Life Truss Bridge Coming Together Back

Real Life Truss Bridge Demonstration Back

Just Plain Cool Back We have no idea what happened to these things Objective 5 Complete Back

An Interview With Dane and Ben Structural Engineers An Interview With Dane and Ben

Q&A With Ben and Dane Did you achieve your goal? – Yes, we believe we did. What helped you learn how to use the technology? – I believe we already knew how to use the technology, especially Ben, but anything we didn’t know was solved by a Google search or just looking around. Was it too easy, just right, or too hard? – We think this was just right, as it presented enough problems too keep us busy, but nothing too difficult or overwhelming. What can you pass on to the next group of architects? – We think we can pass on that you have to pay attention to detail when building bridges. What standard do you feel you have achieved? – We feel like we have achieved and set a high standard.