1. By
Dane Wrye
Ben Ghusn
Stem Lab

2. WEST POINT BRIDGE DESIGNER
1st Engagement
WEST POINT BRIDGE DESIGNER

3. 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 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.

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

5. 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

6. 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.” (
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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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)

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.”

14. 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.”

15. 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.”

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. Economical Bridges In The Works
Not yet Available in Stores
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28. The Best Bang For The Buck
This Bridge gets it Done Cheap
Objective 3 Complete
$198,457.30
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29. Real Life Truss Bridge
Testing Phase
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30. Real Life Truss Bridge
Coming Together
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31. Real Life Truss Bridge
Demonstration
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32. Just Plain Cool Back We have no idea what happened to these things
Objective 5 Complete
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33. An Interview With Dane and Ben
Structural Engineers
An Interview With Dane and Ben

34. 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.