FINAL BRIDGE PROJECT:
“BILLY GOAT FARM”
BRIDGES
NAME: ___________
Team colour: __________________
BRIDGE REVIEW
BRIDGE TYPE & PICTURE
Beam Bridge
Arch Bridge
DESCRIPTION
A beam bridge is the simplest and most inexpensive
kind of bridge. They were also some of the earliest
and simplest ones to be used. Beam bridges consist of
a horizontal beam supported at each end by piers. The
weight of the beam pushes straight down on the piers.
The farther apart its piers, the weaker the beam
becomes.
The arch bridges are used to span a deep gap. They are
one of the cheaper bridges to build. The weight
transfers down the sides of the arch and the abutments
(the sides) keep the shape of the arch. Arches that are
pieced together have a keystone at the top that hold the
shape of the arch.
Suspension Bridge
Used to span the longest distances. One of the more
expensive bridges to build. The weight is held up by the big
cables which are attached to the abutments at the shore.
The cables are thread through the top of the piers instead
of being directly attached to the piers.
Cable-Stay Bridge
One of the modern types of bridges. All of the weight is
directly held up by the piers and the cables in the middle.
Covered Bridge
Covered bridges were used back in the days of horses and
buggies. They usually have a strong beam, walls that have
trusses in them, and a pointed roof. They were useful so
that the bridges would be more safe in bad weather, and
so that bridges wouldn’t need to be fixed as often. These
bridges are usually not very long, but we have the longest
on in New Brunswick Canada.
Cantilever Bridge
This bridge is like two long diving boards that are facing
each other and then connected in the middle. The piers
near the ends and the abutments at the shore hold the
weight. The middle part is not as strong. These bridges are
good because they don’t need the piers in the middle, so
boats can still go through the middle.
Truss bridges come in all shapes and sizes. They usually
have one strong beam and then they are help up with a
series of triangles which are very strong. The triangles help
Truss Bridge
to distribute the weight of vehicles. Many other types of
bridges also have triangular trusses in their designs.
My Name: _________________________________________________
My Partner’s name(s): __________________________________________
Our Team color is: ______________________________________________
Goals:
The ‘Billy Goat Farm’ needs you to build a bridge so that their goats stop getting gobbled
up by the mean troll. You must:
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Build a bridge that can span a 40cm gap.
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Keep track of your money and choose materials to build your bridge. (Limited to 20
Bridge Bucks and 3 Tape Tax cards.)
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Construct a bridge using those materials. Find ways to fasten the materials.
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Test to see if your bridge can hold up all 3 sizes of goats (100 g, 500g, 1000g.)
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Fill out the construction paperwork as you go!
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Learn to cooperate and work well with your coworkers while building the bridge.
1st day of planning:
Type of bridge we might want to build: ________________________________
Type of materials we might want to use: _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________.
How we plan to hold (or fasten) our bridge together: _____________________
____________________________________________________________.
Drawing of what you think your bridge will look like:
TESTING DAY
Question
Yes
No
Our bridge spanned a 40 cm gap.
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Our bridge held the lightest goat.
Our bridge held the medium goat.
Our bridge held the heaviest goat.
Our bridge was built with extra
money or tape left over.
I am happy with our bridge.
My favorite part about our bridge was: _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.
What would you do differently if you were to do this assignment again?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________.