Bridge Design Webquest
Jonathan Stacey
EDU 505
Phase 1: The strength of different geometric
shapes.
Websites to look at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/shapes.html
Task 1:
Use the paper, straws, and pipe cleaners to build each shape. Apply pressure to the top and
see how much strength it takes to crush each shape. What shape is the strongest? What
was the weakest point on each shape? Record your observations in your engineering
notebook.
Cincinnatus Technology
Bridge Engineers
Task:
You have been hired as an structural engineer to
construct a new bridge. As an engineer you must evaluate
different designs and materials and select the best option
with the lowest cost. Over the next few days you will
conduct research and experiments to learn about how
bridges are designed and built. Use the websites and
videos provided to learn about types of bridges and how
to design a bridge that will be strong enough to withstand
the forces acting upon it. Record what you learn in your
engineering notebook.
Phase 1: The strength of different geometric
shapes.
Some shapes are stronger than others when used to build
structures. Investigate and test different shapes to see
which are the strongest for building a bridge.
Make a prediction: Which shape do you think will be the strongest?
Phase 2: Types of Bridges
Throughout history people have developed several
different types of bridges using a variety of materials.
Today you should use the provided resources to
research the different types of bridges. On the bridge
evaluation form discuss the benefits and drawbacks of
each type of bridge.
Phase 2: Types of Bridges
Phase 2: Types of Bridges
Websites to look at:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/basics.html
http://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/types-ofbridges/
https://sites.google.com/a/wyckoffschools.org/stem-grade-8/2types-of-bridges
http://www.kidsdiscover.com/shop/issues/bridges-for-kids/
Try these simple bridge building games:
http://www.engineering.com/GamesPuzzles/BridgeBuilder/tabid/5
172/Default.aspx
http://www.candystand.com/play/bridgecraft
Phase 3: The forces acting upon a bridge.
A bridge must be designed and built to withstand all of the
forces that act upon it. Gravity is always working to pull
the bridge down. Bridges must be built to withstand the
force of gravity and support the load of the traffic
traveling over the bridge. Today you should investigate the
forces that act upon a bridge so that you can apply them
to your design.
Compression
Tension
Phase 3: The forces acting upon a bridge.
Websites to look at:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge2.htm
http://www.garrettsbridges.com/design/theforces/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/forces.html
Phase 4: Apply your research to design ad test a
virtual bridge.
Take a look at how engineers built the worlds tallest bridge!
Now you try it! Review the directions on how to use Bridge Designer 2015
software. Use Bridge Designer 2015 to build a working bridge using the least
amount of money.
https://bridgecontest.org/questions/using-the-bridge-designer-software/
The next step: Design and test a model bridge
Congratulations! Now that you have successfully
researched bridges and designed a virtual bridge you will
construct a scale model of your bridge. It should span a
distance of 18 inches. You will use toothpicks and glue to
construct your model. Once your model is complete we
will test them to see how much weight it can hold and
evaluate its weak points.
https://sites.google.com/site/virtualengineerwebquest/toothpick-bridge
Evaluation
Criteria
Needs
Improvement
0
Satisfactory
Good
Excellent
1
3
4
Experimented with
different geometric
shapes and
recorded
observations
Did not complete
work in notebook
Completed parts of
the work with many
errors
Completed work
with some errors
Produced a model of
each shape and
recorded
observation in
notebook
Students discuss
different types of
bridges in
notebook
Did not complete
work in notebook
Completed parts of
the work with many
errors
Completed work
with some errors
Created a chart
showing types of
bridges and
provided a written
description of each
Explained and
illustrated the
forces of
compression and
tension
Did not complete
work in notebook
Completed parts of
the work with many
errors
Completed work
with some errors
Accurately described
and illustrated the
forces of
compression and
tension
Completed a
working bridge on
Bridge Designer
Did not make an
effort to produce a
working bridge
Completed parts of
the work with many
errors
Completed work
with some errors
Created a working
model and
experimented to
minimize costs
Teacher Page
This activity is intended for middle school technology students, but could be used in
other settings as well. The webquest will take 3-4 days so that the students can learn
the basic concepts physics and design related to bridges. The webquest will be
followed up by an activity were the students design and test model bridges built from
toothpicks and glue. The bridge will be tested to see how much weight it could hold.