Sketches of the design of the bridge.
Figure 1 shows the supporting framework on the table. The triangular shape of the supporting framework established a firm base for the bridge over the gap between tables.
Figure 1
Since the length of the material is not long enough to bridge over the gap between the tables. Therefore, the material was cut into 9 pieces. The materials were connected together by pins and sticky tapes. Several layers of sticky tapes were used to make the joints solid as a fixed joint. (Please refer Figure 2).
Figure 2
According to figure 3, group 1`s bridge is connected to the table by sticky tapes. The sticky tapes that stick to the bridge take most of the loads. As the loading test going on, the tape that stick to the bridge begin to deform due to the tension forces. (Please refer to Figure 4)
Figure 3 Figure 4
As the loading process continues, the deformation degree of the sticky tapes that stick to the bridge was at the maximum. The bridge is on the edge of collapse. (Please refer to Figure 5).
Figure 5
When the load reaches the critical point of the maximum load of the bridge, the bridge is collapsed. Just as Figure 6 illustrated, the bridge collapsed because of the massive load that makes the stick tape fall apart from the bridge.
Figure 6
Figure 7
Group 2`s bridge seems to be very fragile, not able to take a lot of loads. The bridge is mainly consisted of balsa and sticky tapes. (Please refer Figure X). However, the bridge can actually take a lot of loads during the loading test. As Figure 7 illustrates, the load is transferred to the sticky tapes. As more loads add on the bridge, the tapes that stick to the bridge begin to deform due to the tension forces. The bridge eventually collapsed due to sticky tape`s detachment from the desk. From the testing result, this bridge seems to be the ideal version of taking loads. However, this bridge is not steady enough to be constructed as a real bridge in use.
In comparison with former two groups, group 3`s bridge is steadier than the former two bridges. Not only the frame of the bridge is formed into the steadiest geometric shape, but also the supporting structure of the bridge is not depend upon a particular part of the bridge.
According to Figure 8, the load is transferred to the joints and the sticky tapes that stick on the bridge. Although the result of the loading test shows that the bridge is not able to take a lot of loads due to the weak spot of the joint, the frame of the bridge is still the steadiest among three bridges due to its structure since the collapse of the bridge is mainly because of the loose connection of the joint. (Please refer Figure 9). As what can also be observed in Figure 9, the other joint still remain intact, which can be an evidence of the steadiness of the structure.
Figure 8
Figure 9
structural joints
Summary
roller joints pin joints Xixed joints
(Constructing Environments, 2014).
Skeletal
Construcution systems
Structural system
Membrane
Enclosure system
Hybrid
Mechanical system (Ching, 2014; Constructing Environments, 2014).
Glossary: Structural Joint: The connectors used to join the structural elements. (Ching, 2014). (2.30) Frame: The assembly of the columns and beam connected by joints that resist both forces and movements. (Ching, 2014). (2.17). Column: rigid, relatively slender structural members designed primarily to support axial compressive loads applied to the ends of the members. (Ching, 2014). Bracing: Something helps to bind a beam in a framework. (Collinsdictionary.com, 2014). Tension: the state that the materials composing the material move apart when an external force pulls on them. (Environments, 2014). Span: The distance between two points. (Collinsdictionary.com, 2014).
Bibliography: Ching, F. (2013.). Building construction illustrated (5th ed.). Collinsdictionary.com,. (2014). Collins English Dictionary | Always Free Online. Retrieved 14 August 2014, from
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/bracing?showCookiePolic y=true Collinsdictionary.com,. (2014). Collins English Dictionary | Always Free Online. Retrieved 14 August 2014, from
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/span?showCookiePolicy= true Constructing Environment,. (2014). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxRdY0jSoJo&feature=youtu.be Constructing Environment,. (2014).Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zTarEeGXOo&feature=youtu.be Environments, C. (2014). Constructing Environments Weekly Guide 2014s2. Issuu. Retrieved 7 August 2014, from https://issuu.com/envs10003/docs/constructing_environments_weekly_gu?e=8 943534/8747216