Week 8

In the previous Lab we were given the chance to start playing around with online Bridge Design and work on the A3 assignment.  In the next lab we would making analysis and calculations for the angles and triangles been used with Knex.  We hope that the information provided by this analysis will help us improve our design.  We hope to be able to maximize the strength of the bridge and minimize its cost.

Both the hand and online Bridge Design calculations are not sufficient analysis for building a real bridge.  It is important to mention that there was several significant limitations found with online Bridge Design.  These limitations are expressed in A3-Almendariz.   As stated before, there are much more forces and derivable that need to be considered for building a real bridge design.   Unfortunately these calculations are only made for the side part of bridge and the calculations for a third dimension is ignored.  Also in order to build successful bridge we need to consider much more outside factors than the downward force resistance.  We need to consider what materials we would use, in order get a good ratio between price and strength.  Also we need to consider the weather, type of ground, wind forces, etc. from the location where the bridge is going to be built.  There needs to be a further study, calculations and testing to be made before been able to come with a successful real bridge design.