Truss Bridge Testing and Analysis
Objective: To understand the importance of studying device
failure to be able to improve design, as part of the
engineering design process.
 Engineers need to know failure mode of materials and
structures to be able to design technology to withstand
a given stress
 Previous testing method- batteries- did not work with
shorter bridge
 New testing device will suspend loads from bridge
 Use water bottles as test weights
 1 water bottle= _______gm
 Record failure weight, exact mode of failure- exactly
what broke?
 Efficiency= failure load/bridge weight
 How can you strengthen the bridge?