During this project, each team of two students will design and construct a truss-type bridge according to a set criteria (measurements).
Here is a link to follow to see what the finished bridge should look like, Truss Bridge.
Each student must utilize the design process in building this project.
Bridge Project – Design Process
Design Brief – You and your partner are to write a statement that will explain what your project is, while doing so you must come up with a professional sounding company name, as well as a logo and slogan for the company. It is at this point that you should begin putting together your PowerPoint.
Research – your team is to do some research on the Internet as you are to become an expert in the area of bridges. You are to select 1 fact about the six bridge types/designs. An example of what to do would be to Google famous bridges or bridge designs.
Planning – during this phase, your team is to research 2 types of truss bridge designs and decide which one your team is going to build. This is also to be done using the Internet. You are to draw the two types and label them. You are then to design a bridge that meets the following requirements:
- length is to be 45 centimetres.
- width is to be 8 centimetres and the height is to be 8 centimetres.
- the completed weight of the bridge is not to exceed 50 grams.
- you will be given 8 lengths of wood from which you are to build your bridge. Make sure that you are extremely careful with your measurements and cuts as these are the only pieces you will be receiving.
See document below that will show you what the design should look like. You can use Paint to do the design or you can draw it by hand. The drawing must have the dimensions and you must use a ruler to draw it.
Making – during this phase your team is to begin construction of your bridge. Be careful to make your measurements exact and make your cuts very carefully. You are to be given a set amount of wood to work with so make sure you do not waste any. If you do, you are going to be affecting the integrity of your bridge making it much weaker. Refer to the tuttorials above for help.
Be careful to look after your wood as perhaps other groups may attempt to steal it. Presentation – during this phase your team will be presenting your project to the class along with your research information that must be put together in a PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint must include the company name, logo and slogan as well as your research information. Each slide containing information must have a title, the fact and a picture of the bridge. You are also to ahve a picture of your bridge design on a slide. Your design is to be drawn using Paint and then copied onto a slide. You are also going to be testing your bridge to see how much weight the bridge can withstand. Please make sure that you refer to the evaluation step below and include the answer to the areas in bold font in your powerpoint presentation.
Evaluation – this is the final and probably the most important. Your team is to evaluate your bridge, construction skills and teamwork. What you learned, what was difficult, what did you like, what would you do differently the next time are all areas that you should address in this section of your presentation.
The project/construction is evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Identical sides – when viewed from the side
2. Measurements – 45 cm X 8 cm X 8 cm
3. Levelness – bridge sits flat when placed on a table
4. Testing – withstands a minimum of 5 large dictionaries
The Bridge Project Work Schedule Timeline
Each team of two students is to construct a bridge according to a design that that they have chosen using like materials. Following a set period of construction, the bridges are to be tested for their load bearing limits.
Day 1
Students are to research truss bridge designs using the internet. While doing so they are to make sketches of the bridges and try to come up with a design that will provide the most strength.
Day 2
Students are to gain approval from the teacher for their design and receive their materials. They are to begin construction being careful to be precise with their measurements and cuts. All bridges are to be constructed using carpenter’s glue and 5 mm X 5 mm basswood.
Day 3 - 8
Construction phase continues.
Day 9 - 10
This is project write-up day. Complete a PowerPoint presentation including the following: company name, logo, slogan, as well as the items in evaluation.
Finally, you are to create slideshow using a PowerPoint presentation that outlines your project making sure to cover each step of the Design Process.
The project/construction is evaluated on the following criteria: identical sides, measurements, levelness and testing.
Bridge
Superior
(5)
Proficient
(3)
Developing
(1)
Score
Symmetry
(X3)
Both sides are identical to one another.
Both sides closely resemble each other.
The sides do not look like each other at all.
Levelness
(X1)
The bridge sits flat on a table.
The bridge is slightly uneven when placed on a table. (3 corners touch)
The bridge is very uneven and only two corners touch the table at a time.
Weight Test
(X1)
The bridge held 5 dictionaries.
The bridge held 3 to 4 dictionaries.
The bridge held less than 3 dictionaries.
Gluing & Cuts
(X3)
The cuts are exact and there is not an overuse of glue at the joints.
The cuts are mostly exact and the glue is used sparingly most of the time.
The cuts are not exact and there is a visible overuse of glue at the joints.
Presentation
(X2)
The PP is complete with all required components.
The PP is most complete with missing one component.
The PP was not done
Partner Mark
(X2)
Both partners worked evenly on this project.
The work was a little one sided towards one partner.
The work was not shared at all with one partner doing most of the work.
Here is a link to follow to see what the finished bridge should look like, Truss Bridge.
Each student must utilize the design process in building this project.
Bridge Project – Design Process
Design Brief – You and your partner are to write a statement that will explain what your project is, while doing so you must come up with a professional sounding company name, as well as a logo and slogan for the company. It is at this point that you should begin putting together your PowerPoint.
Research – your team is to do some research on the Internet as you are to become an expert in the area of bridges. You are to select 1 fact about the six bridge types/designs. An example of what to do would be to Google famous bridges or bridge designs.
Planning – during this phase, your team is to research 2 types of truss bridge designs and decide which one your team is going to build. This is also to be done using the Internet. You are to draw the two types and label them. You are then to design a bridge that meets the following requirements:
- length is to be 45 centimetres.
- width is to be 8 centimetres and the height is to be 8 centimetres.
- the completed weight of the bridge is not to exceed 50 grams.
- you will be given 8 lengths of wood from which you are to build your bridge. Make sure that you are extremely careful with your measurements and cuts as these are the only pieces you will be receiving.
See document below that will show you what the design should look like. You can use Paint to do the design or you can draw it by hand. The drawing must have the dimensions and you must use a ruler to draw it.
The video below shows the various stages of the building and includes hints that will make it an easier process.
If the Media Player version is not working, please use this PowerPoint for directions.
Making – during this phase your team is to begin construction of your bridge. Be careful to make your measurements exact and make your cuts very carefully. You are to be given a set amount of wood to work with so make sure you do not waste any. If you do, you are going to be affecting the integrity of your bridge making it much weaker. Refer to the tuttorials above for help.
Be careful to look after your wood as perhaps other groups may attempt to steal it.
Presentation – during this phase your team will be presenting your project to the class along with your research information that must be put together in a PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint must include the company name, logo and slogan as well as your research information. Each slide containing information must have a title, the fact and a picture of the bridge. You are also to ahve a picture of your bridge design on a slide. Your design is to be drawn using Paint and then copied onto a slide. You are also going to be testing your bridge to see how much weight the bridge can withstand. Please make sure that you refer to the evaluation step below and include the answer to the areas in bold font in your powerpoint presentation.
Evaluation – this is the final and probably the most important. Your team is to evaluate your bridge, construction skills and teamwork. What you learned, what was difficult, what did you like, what would you do differently the next time are all areas that you should address in this section of your presentation.
The project/construction is evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Identical sides – when viewed from the side
2. Measurements – 45 cm X 8 cm X 8 cm
3. Levelness – bridge sits flat when placed on a table
4. Testing – withstands a minimum of 5 large dictionaries
The Bridge Project Work Schedule Timeline
Each team of two students is to construct a bridge according to a design that that they have chosen using like materials. Following a set period of construction, the bridges are to be tested for their load bearing limits.
Day 1
Students are to research truss bridge designs using the internet. While doing so they are to make sketches of the bridges and try to come up with a design that will provide the most strength.
Day 2
Students are to gain approval from the teacher for their design and receive their materials. They are to begin construction being careful to be precise with their measurements and cuts. All bridges are to be constructed using carpenter’s glue and 5 mm X 5 mm basswood.
Day 3 - 8
Construction phase continues.
Day 9 - 10
This is project write-up day. Complete a PowerPoint presentation including the following: company name, logo, slogan, as well as the items in evaluation.
Finally, you are to create slideshow using a PowerPoint presentation that outlines your project making sure to cover each step of the Design Process.
The project/construction is evaluated on the following criteria: identical sides, measurements, levelness and testing.
Superior
(5)
Proficient
(3)
Developing
(1)
Score
(X3)
(X1)
(X1)
(X3)
(X2)
(X2)