The great bridge project
For this project we were required to create a bridge out of balsa wood. This bridge had to be able to support 20 pounds of weight for a 30 second time period. If your bridge completed this it moved onto exhibition and we got to see how many pounds it really is able to hold.
THoughts on the building process
When I first started out I was Excited about an arch* bridge and the strength it could have. It was only after I broke my fifth beam trying to curve it that I decided maybe I should change my idea. It the end it was actually a pretty cool bridge, with truss* lining the top and wood notched* so tight it wouldn't budge. My bridge was a beam* bridge so its base was nice and simple. The only thing I would change is the fact that the part where the actual weight rested was pretty weak. I should've spent more time strengthening that then creating the truss pattern at the top.
*arch- to curve so that all pressure placed on top would be spread evenly over the whole span of the bridge
*truss- designs made to create airways so a bridge won't sway or to add extra strength to your bridge so that if one part fails the truss would hold fast
*notch- to cut halfway through one beam so that another may fit in that hole and not move as much as it would if it were just glued in place. Surprisingly easy once taught
*beam- the simplest kind of bridge; just a walk across idea. Can be as simple as a log over a stream
Extra word: Suspension Bridge- a bridge that has a deck suspended by cables or rods from other cables or chains that hang betweentwo towers and are anchored at both ends
*arch- to curve so that all pressure placed on top would be spread evenly over the whole span of the bridge
*truss- designs made to create airways so a bridge won't sway or to add extra strength to your bridge so that if one part fails the truss would hold fast
*notch- to cut halfway through one beam so that another may fit in that hole and not move as much as it would if it were just glued in place. Surprisingly easy once taught
*beam- the simplest kind of bridge; just a walk across idea. Can be as simple as a log over a stream
Extra word: Suspension Bridge- a bridge that has a deck suspended by cables or rods from other cables or chains that hang betweentwo towers and are anchored at both ends
Efforts?
Actually I was surprised when my partner came in ready to work. In my eyes she had never really seemed to care much about school but she was constantly asking what she could do and how she could help and did a really good job. Notching came out ass a huge success and even though it was a pain and took lots of time and concentration, it was probably what held my bridge up the best. I put a lot of time and effort into this bridge, trying to make it as presentable and strong as possible.
Bridge report
Bridge Name: The Great Belt Bridge
Vital Statistics:
Location:Between the Danish Islands Zealand and Funen
Completion Date: 14 June, 1998
Cost: 21.4 Billion (in 1998 prices)
Length: 18 km (18000 meters- both bridges in total)
Type: Suspension bridge
Purpose: Make an easy way to travel between the two islands using cars instead of boats
Materials: Concrete and Steel
Longest Single Span: 1,624 meters (5,328 feet)
Engineer(s): Dissing+Weilting
The Great Belt Bridge was created as a roadway for cars and trains with the intention to get from one island to the other without the use of boats. The road itself starts in Halsskov, Zealand, curves to meet the small island, Sprogø and finishes in Knudshoved, Fugen. Everyone uses this bridge.
The Great Belt bridge consists of two sections, west side before the island, Sprogo, and the east. This partly suspension, partly beam bridge has a single span of 1,624 meters and includes a railway tunnel running below the ground until it meets Sprogo in the middle and connects with the bridge once more. The east bridge is shaped with truss made of steel underneath the roadway, after it spans from the west and meets Sprogø. The west is made up of concrete and crosses over the island of Sprogo, transforming into the suspension bridge to the east. The east side has 19 piers in the water, the west side has 62 and in total that adds up to 81 piers supporting the bridge.
The bridge was around 21.4 billion because the size of the bridge in length as well as height. There are no known problems currently and seems to be very sturdy. Its presence is highly appreciated within the Danish communities.
West side - 6,611 meters East side- 6,790 meters
Fast Facts:
Vital Statistics:
Location:Between the Danish Islands Zealand and Funen
Completion Date: 14 June, 1998
Cost: 21.4 Billion (in 1998 prices)
Length: 18 km (18000 meters- both bridges in total)
Type: Suspension bridge
Purpose: Make an easy way to travel between the two islands using cars instead of boats
Materials: Concrete and Steel
Longest Single Span: 1,624 meters (5,328 feet)
Engineer(s): Dissing+Weilting
The Great Belt Bridge was created as a roadway for cars and trains with the intention to get from one island to the other without the use of boats. The road itself starts in Halsskov, Zealand, curves to meet the small island, Sprogø and finishes in Knudshoved, Fugen. Everyone uses this bridge.
The Great Belt bridge consists of two sections, west side before the island, Sprogo, and the east. This partly suspension, partly beam bridge has a single span of 1,624 meters and includes a railway tunnel running below the ground until it meets Sprogo in the middle and connects with the bridge once more. The east bridge is shaped with truss made of steel underneath the roadway, after it spans from the west and meets Sprogø. The west is made up of concrete and crosses over the island of Sprogo, transforming into the suspension bridge to the east. The east side has 19 piers in the water, the west side has 62 and in total that adds up to 81 piers supporting the bridge.
The bridge was around 21.4 billion because the size of the bridge in length as well as height. There are no known problems currently and seems to be very sturdy. Its presence is highly appreciated within the Danish communities.
West side - 6,611 meters East side- 6,790 meters
Fast Facts:
- 1. The bridge is the largest outside of Asia
- 2. The official names for the two connecting bridges are Ostbroen (east bridge) and
- 3.Vestbroen (west bridge)