A3-Almendariz

1.

2.

Member	Force (N)
TAC	22.23
TAB	-31.44
TBC	31.44
TBD	-44.46
TDC	31.42
TDE	-31.44
TCE	22.23
Total Weight	44.45

3.  

4.  Using Online Bridge designer is an easier and faster way to calculate the forces for a bridge design than calculating them manually as before.  Although the program was really versatile for calculations, there were some important restrictions found.  Online Bridge designer had restrictions involving the weight added, the scaling of length of trusts and their angles, and position of nodes.  There was a small window for choosing the load been added, it is limited to multiples of five.  We would not be able to know exactly the length of each trust that we are using and the angle between them.  These restrictions made it difficult to know were was the right position for placing the nodes.  In order to be able to correspond the results from part 1 to bridge design we would need the right scaling for each component and be able know and plug exact numbers for each components.  It is important to note that although online bridge design had it’s restrictions, the calculations given were reasonable close to the calculations done by hand before. 

  5.

While trying to replicate our bridge design in online Bridge design program a big restriction was found.  Online Bridge Designed required relating the numbers of nodes to the number of members.  Our original bridge design had to be altered in order to get it working with the program.  We were forced to take some members out and a node out.  It is for this reason that these calculations are not accurate.

6.  The data provided by the results from the testing of Knex Joints are really useful for the final design.  The results from the testing showed that that the more joint socked we used, it would create a stronger structure.  We are able to know and give an estimate of how much force each connector will be able to resist before it collapses.  We would consider this data for improving our next bridge design by trying to maximize it’s force resistance.