Week 6

Last week’s lab was really significant regarding the assembly of Knex bridges and decision-making.  We the preliminary and basic knowledge of using Knex, each member was able to assemble their own bridge design during the first part of the lab.  After each individual’s Knex was completed, the group came together again to discuss and analyze each of their bridges to be able to pick one.  Instead of simply picking one bridge, the team decided that it would be much better if they unified their ideas into one bridge and assemble it.  During next week’s lab the group is going to be able to test their bridge strength in a competition scenario.

            After been able to play around with the Knex more time, I wasn’t able to see any more limitations than the ones explained in the previous blog.  The same constraints that were mention appeared in the actual assemble of the bridge and they might affect the strength of the bridge.  Designing a real 20’ steel bridge is a completely different than building one with knex.  The design and assembly of the real bridge will be completely different and there would be new things that will need to be considered.  We would be able to overcome many of the constraints that were presented by the Knex and be able to build the bridge the way we want it to be.  Although we are going to be able to overcome many of the design constraints, many new things that need to be considered would arise.  We would need to completely make sure that the bridge design is going to be 100% successful in real life use.  We can’t afford it to fall apart after some time.  In order to assure its efficiency, we would have to consider many more facts rather than simply its design and strength.  For example we need to make sure that the structure will resist natural disasters like winds, earthquakes, climate, etc.   Also we need to think the material quality keeping in mind its cost.  We have to be able to reach an equilibrium between cost, durability and strength.  Building a real life bridge is much more complicated and involves more studying of the situation than assembling with Knex.