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OBJECTIVES:
Bridges are structures which carry people and vehicles across natural
or man-made obstacles. There are many types of
bridges. Based on the length of the barrier to be
crossed, the amount and type of traffic as well as
forces of nature (wind, tide, flood) different
materials and shapes of bridges are used.
In this lesson your team will build the strongest of all
the bridge structures - the suspension bridge.
STEPS TO FOLLOW:
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For the lesson presenter: to assist the students,
practice constructing the sample bridge
prior to your class presentation.
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Look at this picture of a suspension bridge. This
is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
The parts of this bridge have been labeled.
Click on the picture below to see a larger picture of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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MATERIALS:
Picture
of the Golden Gate Bridge
Safety Scissors (For Cutting Stringers)
Masking Tape (Optional, For Attaching Stringers To Deck)
Stapler with Staples (Optional, For Attaching Stringers To Deck)
3-5 Pound Weight Such (Coffee Can, Rock)
2 15' Pieces of Rope (For Cables)
1 50' Piece of String (For Stringers/Hangers)
6 Chairs (2 For Each Tower And 2 For Anchors)
1 6' x 4" Piece of Cardboard or Poster Board (Deck)
(Note: This demonstration can be a class or team activity.
If using student teams duplicate these supplies for each team.)
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Arrange the 6 chairs as in the diagram below.
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You and your team mates
must figure out how to build the bridge.
You are not allowed to anchor the deck, only the cables.
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Test the bridge by putting the weight in several different locations.
If your bridge supports the weight, you pass!
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If you have extra time, put the weight
in the middle of the span and start cutting the stringers
until the deck fails.
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