Physics Project Writing AssesmentBy : Irvan Torbett, Caroline Tran, Alexander Tran

Brief History of Bridges…

• The first bridges were made by nature itself . As simple as a log fallen across a stream or stones in the river. The first bridges made by humans were probably spans of cut wooden logs or planks and eventually stones, using a simple support and crossbeam arrangement

• Soon, early civilizations started to build their own bridges after the discovery of construction and masonry. Dating to the Greek Bronze Age (13th century BC), it is one of the oldest arch bridges still in existence and use.

• Simple type of suspension bridge, were used by the Inca civilization in the Andes mountains of South America, just prior to European colonization in the 16th century.

• With the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, truss systems iron were developed for larger bridges, but iron did not have the strength to support large loads. With the advent of steel, which has a high tensile strength, much larger bridges were built

• * Fun facts : The greatest bridge builders of antiquity were the ancient Romans. The Romans built arch bridges and aqueducts that could stand in conditions that would damage or destroy earlier designs. Some stand today.

• the origin of the word bridge to an Old English word brycg

3 Types of Bridges : Pro’s and Cons• Beam Bridge: Beam bridges are cost

effective and simple to build. Beam bridges are very basic in design. They feature beams laid across two supports to form a deck. They offer the builder affordability and ease of construction, thanks to their simplicity. This simplicity comes with a price, as beam bridges don't work well for long spans.

• Truss bridges: Truss Bridges make use of triangles in their design. Occasionally piers are used in the middle, depending upon the span. A truss bridge is constructed of interconnected beams that form repeated triangle patterns. This allows for even weight distribution. The disadvantages of the truss style are its lack of aesthetic appeal, heaviness and cost.

• Suspension Bridges : Due to their innovative design, suspension bridges are uniquely suited to span longer distances. It is made up of a deck that is hung from steel wire cables that run between tall towers. Suspension bridges are very strong, thanks to the cables. Their design is pleasing to the eye, and because of the suspension feature, these bridges are suited for use across longer spans. Suspension bridges are more complicated in design than most other common bridge types and are more expensive to build.

The Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge in Japan, the world's longest suspension span.

Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, New York. Continuous under-deck truss bridge

Simple Beam bridge. Eagle country,Colorado

Different bridge examples and history

• Name : Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge• HISTORY :The Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge

is a continuous under-deck truss bridge that carries NY 199 across the Hudson River in New York State north of the City of Kingston and the hamlet of Rhinecliff. It was opened to traffic on February 2, 1957 as a two-lane bridge.

• Type of bridge : Truss Bridge• Type of Commute served : Traffic (Cars,

Motorcycles, Automated Transport)• The Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge serves

approximately 17,000 Automobiles per day

• **Fun Facts : although it was not actually complete. Formal opening was May 11, 1957.

• When the site was relocated about 3 miles northward, there was no stable bedrock for anchorages, so the design was changed to a continuous under-deck truss.

• Is the second northernmost, and second newest, of the 5 bridges that NYSBA owns and operates.

• Name : Akashi Kaikyō Bridge

• History : Before the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge was built, ferries carried passengers across the Akashi Strait in Japan. This dangerous waterway often experiences severe storms and, in 1955, two ferries sank in the strait during a storm, killing 168 people. The ensuing shock and public outrage convinced the Japanese government to develop plans for a suspension bridge to cross the strait. But when construction on the bridge began in April 1988, the construction was restricted to road only, with six lanes. Actual construction did not begin until May 1988, and the bridge was opened for traffic on April 5, 1998

• Type of Bridge : Suspension Bridge• Type of commute : Traffic (Cars, Motorcycles,

Automated Transport)• the bridge is used by approximately 23,000

cars per day.• **Fun Facts : Also known as Pear Bridge• Has the longest central span of any

suspension bridge• It was built by the government due to

pressure from the citizens.

The PLAN.

• We decided to do a truss bridge, with a Warren without vertical support truss. The reason I did a truss bridge instead of other bridge designs is because truss bridges are known to be a good equilibrium between the amount of strength I want to have in a bridge, and the amount of effort that I will need to make it. Bridges such as a beam bridge are too simple and it does not have a very good weight distribution. (It would also look like I didn’t put any effort into it). The Suspension bridge on the other hand is almost impossible to build with the materials (mainly the glue) that was handed to us in this project. It is also time consuming and too precise to be a reliable bridge. The truss design that I chose on the other hand is sturdy enough to withstand a good amount of force , and also very simple to build. Although it required much effort, it was worth it since this design has been known for it’s reliability. I also chose this type of bridge because this project did not require looks, and I also needed to use the minimum amount of toothpicks. The Warren without vertical support trusses helped me achieve my goal to build a toothpick bridge without using a lot of toothpicks.

Base Plan(6 of theseMake a cube)

Warren Without vertical supports for the sides

Bottom and top Of bridge

Work Responsibilities for each Member• Irvan : Design, Overall Assembly, Blueprint,

Ideas, Writing work, Research , Special “items” supplier, Team Reference, Management• Caroline : Base assembly, Motivator (?),

Design supporter, The only one with a worksheet, Wax paper… management…• Alex : Mass production, Parts, Entertainment,