Over the past few weeks the group has used WPBD to create truss structures and to analyze how loads affect a bridge. This was a great tool to see how trusses are affected by weight and how to design them to withstand the weight. For the second half of the term the group will be using KNEX to build sample bridge truss structures to physically test. The KNEX has an advantage over the WPBD because it is a real life simulation. It also allows for the builder to involve cross members from side to side rather than just the elevation of the truss. These cross members will be crucial in the weight test to keep the bridge from collapsing from side to side. One disadvantage to the KNEX is that they can only be connected in 45degree increments.
Last week the group concentrated on finding out what KNEX pieces were the strongest. The group also tried different designs to find out what kind of limitations there are for the KNEX pieces. The 45degree increments for connections limit some of the truss designs. It will take a good bit of time studying truss systems and testing them to create a bridge with the lowest cost/breaking load ratio.
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