Week 10

     During last week's lab period we tested our final bridge design. The bridge was tested to how much weight could be held. The goal was to have the least cost per pound held. Our bridge had a ratio of $8,542.88 per pound.
     In the upcoming week our team will have completed our A4 assignment. In lab we will go over an overview of what was done and taught during this term.
     Major accomplishments for our group was that our bridge held the most weight and had the best cost to weight ratio.
     I do not believe there are any issues facing the team now that the term is coming to a close.
     Yes I do believe I learned something worthwhile about each of the topics for the course goals. I feel that I learned more on teamwork, which is very essential to the design process. I also learned a lot about planning, computer modeling, static analysis, and physical modeling. Each step took in the lab helped lead to the next and give us a better understanding of what we were designing and building.
     I think that the static analysis was the least beneficial to this lab process. I believe this only because we are limited by the Knex pieces. Observing how angles affect the way the weight is distributed across the bridge is good knowledge to acquire, but does little to help with the design of our Knex bridge. If I showed X formations against other formations that could be designed with the Knex pieces it would be more helpful.
     The most beneficial for me was the actual physical testing of the bridge. This was the most helpful because it brought together everything that was taught to you before that point. Also because it allowed you to see that a certain cross section between the two vertical sides had to be constructed or else the twisting would occur. Physical modeling and testing gave you the ability to fully view your bridge and see how added weight affected it.
     My only suggestion is allow for more testing of the physical bridges before the final test.

By Robert Weldon