Bridge Vocabulary
What is a Truss?
A framework of triangles made from straight pieces of material, such as wood.
How many hot glue gun sticks does each group get to make their bridge?
8 glue gun sticks.
What length is the gap your bridge must span?
The bridge must span a 30 cm gap.
What is the bridge deck?
The flat surface at the bottom of the bridge that connects the 2 trusses and is what the car rolls on.
What is an important quality to pay attention to when making the triangles of your trusses?
Triangles should be as symetrical as possible for maximum strength.
What is compression?
A pushing or squashing force.
What tool willl be provided to measure lengths while building your bridge?
A ruler.
What is the maximum length your bridge can be?
The bridge must be no longer than 40 cm.
What are the top braces?
Top braces are the pieces that connect the tops of the 2 trusses.
What should truss 2 look like in comparison to truss one?
The 2 trusses should look the same. (They should be as idenical as possible).
What is tension?
A pulling or stretching force.
What tool will be provided to make cuts if needed when crafting your bridge?
Scissors
What is the required minimum interior width of your bridge?
The bridg must have an interior width of at least 9 cm.
What is the strongest shape for truss bridges?
The triangle is the strongest shape for building trusses.
True or False. You can coat everything in glue.
False! Gluing must be small dots at the joints. No coating is allowed.
What is the span?
The distance between supports of the bridge.
What tool will be shared in the clas to melt and aply the hot glue?
Hot glue guns.
How must popsicle sticks be glued together?
Sticks can be glued together at the joints only with no smearing of glue around surfaces.
What is the final thing you must get done on day one?
We must have a teacher approve our design by the end of day one.
What needs to be able to fit through your bridge at the midpoint for weight testing?
A chain must be able to be put through the bridge at the mitpoint to attach weights and test the bridge strength.
What is the load?
The weight your bridge carries.
How many popsicle sticks does each group get?
214 sticks.
What is the endpoint for making changes to your bridge design?
Bridges must not be changed after weigh in on Day 4.
What drawings must be completed by each group on day one?
On day one groups must work together and complete a collaborative drawing of the top view and side view of their bridge design.
What are 3 truss types?
3 truss types are the Warren, Pratt and the Howe type.