Bridge of Popsicle Sticks!

For this action project, we created a truss bridge using only 40 popsicle sticks. This past unit, we studied different types of bridges and why they made them strong and long-lasting. We also looked at famous structures such as the pyramid of Giza. We discussed what made structures long-lasting and well recognized. Essentially, we talked about what good urban planning is. Below is a slideshow of the bridge that I designed the process of the design.

  

Our focus on making this bridge is to think about infrastructure, and how it can be improved. SDG 11 is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The goal is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. I believe my design is resilient since the initial goal for my bridge was to have it hold at least 8.5 lbs. It can hold more than 10 lbs of weight.

My bridge was not specifically inspired by any design; I wanted to experiment with the popsicles and see what design I would end up. I had a very rough and unplanned first design sketched out, but I ended up not following this design. The images on slide 4 show my design process of the bridge. There were a lot more parts that made up the sides of the bridge. After realizing that I did not have enough popsicles for this I chose not to follow the design. I started by making diagonal crosses on a square and seeing how many I could make. 

It was fun to make this bridge but very time-consuming. I ran into some difficulties with the bridge and had to use pieces of popsicles to level out the bridge. I almost ran out of popsicles for the bridge which is why there are not an even amount of popsicles on the top and bottom of the bridge. If I were to do this again in the future, I would take into consideration the time it takes for the glue to dry. You should recreate my design and even try to improve it. I have learned a lot from designing and creating this bridge, and I believe you could learn a lot too. Thank you for reading my blogpost!

CALCULATIONS

Truss Triangle Angles : C:82.96, B:70.42, A:26.62
C^2 = B^2 + A^2 - 2ABCosC

2.37^2 = 2.25^2 +1.07^2 - 2(2.25)(1.07)CosC >>
5.6169 = 5.0625 +1.1449 - 4.5(1.07)CosC >>
5.6169 = 6.2074 (- 4.815)CosC >>
-0.5905 = (-4.815)CosC >>
0.123 = CosC >>
82.96 = C
- - 
2.25^2 = 1.07^2 + 2.37^2 - 2(1.07)(2.37)CosB >>
5.0625 = 1.1449 + 5.6169 - 2.14(2.37)CosB >> 
5.0625 = 6.7618 (- 5.0718)CosB>>
-1.6993 = (-5.0718)CosB >>
0.3350487 = CosB >>
70.42 = B
- - 
180 - (82.96 + 70.42) = A
180 - 153.38 = A
26.62 = A
- - 
A/SinA = B/SinB = C/SinC
Sin82.96/2.37 = SinX/2.25
2.233/2.37 = SinX
0.942 = SinX
70.42 = X
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
P.E. and K.E. : 0.9066911

P.E. = M x G x H
M : 155 grams = 0.155 kg
H : 23.5 in = 0.5969 meters
P.E. = 0.155 x 0.5969 x 9.8
P.E. = 0.0925195 x 9.8
P.E. = 0.9066911
- -
Final Velocity^2 = Initial Velocity^2 +2(Accelaration)Distance

Vf^2 = 0 + 2(9.8)(0.5969)
Vf^2 = 19.6(0.5969)
Vf^2 = 11.69924
K.E. = 1/2mv^2
K.E. = 1/2(0.155)(11.69924)
K.E. = 1/2(1.8133822)
K.E. = 0.0966911
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Area of Truss Triangle : 1.195

Semi Perimeter = 1/2(A + B + C)
S = 1/2(2.37 + 2.25 +1.07)
S = 1/2(5.69)
S = 2.845

Area = Sqr. root of S(S - A)(S - B)(S - C)
A = Sqr. root of 2.845(2.845 - 2.37)(2.845 - 2.25)(2.845 - 1.07)
A = Sqr. root of 2.845(0.475)(0.595)(1.775)
A = Sqr. root of 1.351375(1.056125)
A = Sqr. root of 1.427
A = 1.195
- - 
Area = 1/2ABSinC
A = 1/2(2.25)(1.07)Sin82.96
A = 1/2(2.4075)Sin82.96
A = (1.20375)Sin82.96
A = 1.195
- - 
A = 1/2(2.25)(2.37)Sin26.62
A = 1/2(5.3325)Sin26.62
A = (2.66625)Sin26.62
A = 1.195
- - 
A = 1/2(2.37)(1.07)Sin70.42
A = 1/2(2.5359)Sin70.42
A = (1.26795)Sin70.42
A = 1.195
- - 
Area = 1/2BH
1.195 = 1/2(2.25)H
1.195 = 1.125H
1.062 =  H
A = 1/2(2.25)1.062
A = 1.125(1.062)
A = 1.195

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