2. What is a Bridge?
A Structure across an obstacle to allow safe passage

3. The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge made traveling across the St
The Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge made traveling across the St. Mary's River and the Soo Locks much more desirable.

4. Mackinac Bridge The Mighty Mac

5. London Bridge

6. Confederation Bridge

7. Loads: Dead or Alive
Two categories of loads try to destroy structures. They are known as:
Dead loads, and
Live Loads
Dead loads are the permanent loads on a structure. For example, the self weight of a bridge
Live loads are all the variable loads, those that occur from time to time. For example, your weight in the classroom

8. Loads: Dead or Alive
List Loads
Dead
Live

9. Completion Of Bridge Loads
Live Loads
Dead Loads
Pedestrians
Bikes
Cars
Trucks
Trains
Snow
Wind
Earthquake
Self-weight
Concrete, steel, asphalt
Lights

10. Loads Create Forces
Types of Forces
Tension
Compression

11. Tension and Compression Activity
Drawings are used by architects and engineers to communicate important information.
Use your sketching skills to draw the wheel of a bicycle and a step ladder.
Note on the sketch which components are in tension and which components are in compression.

12. Types of Bridges Beam Bridge2
When something pushes down on the beam, the beam bends. Its top edge is pushed together, and its bottom edge is pulled apart.

14. Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge

15. Types of Bridges Arch Bridge2
The arch is squeezed together, and this squeezing force is carried outward along the curve to the supports at each end. The supports, called abutments, push back on the arch and prevent the ends of the arch from spreading apart.

16. Arch Bridge

17. Types of Bridges Truss Bridge2
Every bar in this cantilever bridge experiences either a pushing or pulling force. The bars rarely bend. This is why cantilever bridges can span farther than beam bridges.

18. Truss Bridge

19. Types of Bridges Suspension Bridge2
In all suspension bridges, the roadway hangs from massive steel cables, which are draped over two towers and secured into solid concrete blocks, called anchorages, on both ends of the bridge. The cars push down on the roadway, but because the roadway is suspended, the cables transfer the load into compression in the two towers. The two towers support most of the bridge's weight.

20. Suspension Bridge

21. Types of Bridges Cable-Stayed Bridge2
The cable-stayed bridge, like the suspension bridge, supports the roadway with massive steel cables, but in a different way. The cables run directly from the roadway up to a tower, forming a unique "A" shape.

22. Cable-Stayed Bridge

23. Building Materials Need to pick the best material
Wood, plastic, concrete, steel, aluminum
Compare forces that the material must resist to the properties of the material
Don’t forget Cost
Materials Lab2

24. Elasticity Bridges sway and flex under loads.
But when the loads are removed the bridge returns to its original shape.
The property that the bridge possess to return to its original shape is called elasticity.

25. Elasticity Demonstrated
Demonstrate, to yourself, the elasticity behavior of an elastic band by gently pulling and releasing the tension in it.
An eraser can easily substitute for the elastic band. But instead of pulling, slightly twist it.
Did you notice how both the elastic band and eraser returned to their original shape?

26. Elasticity
Bridge members don’t experience the extreme elongation or twist that you noticed with the elastic band and eraser demonstration.
They experience more moderate shape changes that are not easily detected by the human senses unless you pay real close attention.
Next time you are stuck in traffic on a bridge pay attention to the rocking motion of your vehicle as a heavy truck goes by in the opposite direction.

27. Contest Information
Refer to your handout on contest information and please feel free to ask questions. Make sure that you are clear on the following points:
materials to be used
construction specifications
judging categories
testing procedure

28. References BUILDING BIG: All About Bridges
Nova Online, Super Bridge, Build a Bridge
BUILDING BIG: All About Bridges
West Point Bridge Design Contest