User:Chaput214/project 2

=Goal= Make a model of a bridge that can allow cars to go across it, and allow boats to go by it, even ones that are taller than the bridge.

=Research= There are multiple types of bridges. There are beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges. They all work the same though. All bridges have to deal with tension and compression. Tension is when something has pulling forces exerted on each end of it. Compression is when an object experience pushing forces to different points on the object, so the object is being pushed "in". Bridges deal with compression and tension by transferring the forces. So this means that the forces are spread across a greater area, so there is less force on a single spot. This prevent s the bridge form braking. Beam bridges deal with the forces very simply. all the forces are transferred to the beans that support the bridge. This can only work for a certain amount of distance though. For the middle part of the bridge were there are no beams experiences a lot of pressure, and thus has a higher chance of breaking. Truss bridges are on of the most commonly used bridges to day. A truss bridge is basically a bean bridge but with truss beams which are triangles. The forces can actually transfer though the trusses. This adds more area for the forces to transfer across and thus less chance of the bridge of breaking. Arch bridges have been around for 2,000 years.They basically work by diverting the weight and force onto its two abutments, the components of the bridge that directly take on pressure. Its semicircle structure gives it beauty and allows to ease the tension and compression it experiences. Then there are suspension and cable bridges. They can span the longest distance of all bridges since they don't use as much material. they use cables to ease the tension and compression the bridge experiences. A suspension bridge uses towers that have cables that attach to the bridges and between the towers. So think Golden gate bridge. Then cable-stayed bridge just has cables attached to the bridge itself. the tower is what takes the brute forces that the bridge experiences.

=Weekly Reports=

Week one
I was assigned to a new group this week. They decided prior my arrival to make a drawbridge model. They were thinking on using a motor to make the bridge pull up, but I suggested a hydraulic system instead. They liked the idea, but I suggested it as a back up idea to the motor. We decided that each of us would make a design of the bridge to show to each other next time we met. Then we will decide the final design. Thankfully I have had a similar project like this back in high school. I like this group and project much better than the last one because I know what is going on!

My group members have made design(s) for the bridge, and we have also learned more about bridge designs. We have learned about tension and compression and how this is what bridges have to over come and handle in order to work. It looks like we have agreed on a truss bridge because it can be easily built, and is the most common type of bridge built as a model. But we are doing more research to figure out a final design.

Week two
So, I did research on bridges a learned a lot. Basically though bridges have to deal with compression and tension, and the different kinds of bridges deal with these forces in different ways. we have decided to do a truss bridge because it is one of the most common bridges built because the use of triangles in its design that help deal with the forces the bridge experiences. Also it is a design that can be easily done. First we were going to use a hydraulic system to pull the bridge up, but that seems a little grey now. I think what is appearing now is that Abu Bakar is going to figure out how much force is needed to pull the bridge prototype up. Then we are going to move on form there. We also have to do a presentation for next week. Nate is going to be working on that. I think the thing I should do though is that I should do research on hydraulics.

Week three
This week my team did our presentation for the truss bridge. It was also decided that we are doing a hydraulic system draw bridge. I worked on the prototype with Abu which was made out of foam, and presentation board. IT worked will for a prototype, but we need to make the syringes more at an angle to make the bridge go up higher. I will talk with my group were we want to go from here. Left the project prototype in the lab room.

Week Four
So this week, we did the final prototype for the bridge. It looks like an actually truss bridge even though our professor says it is not actually one. the hydraulics worked really well though it. The bridge went up to a height we liked, and it kept working flawlessly. The syringes are at roughly 90 degrees. We also had to make this model for the engineering fair, so that is one reason we didn't get to make an actual truss bridge, and thus was only able to do the hydraulics. Nat pretty much made the actually bridge, which I then took home to do the hydraulic system and make it look pretty for the fair. With help from my dad, who is an engineer, helped me make a "control switch" so that the ridges would go up at the same time. It was a box that had two syringes in it that were attached to the syringes under the bridge. Then there was a block drilled to the top of both of the syringes, so you just had to push and pull that block. With the help of my mom, I manged to make the ridge look very nice, and make it look more realistic. With it able to move and the nice look to it, it got a lot of people's attention at the fair. So, I think we did a good job.