1. Technology Education WebQuest Bridge Design John Rumpler IV

2. Introduction  Bridges serve as an important engineering solution to crossing an obstacle.  For this activity, you will be responsible for creating a bridge using design software that will analyze factors such as tension and compression.

3. Task  Design a truss style bridge utilizing the West Point Bridge Builder program.  Your bridge may incorporate a known truss system or a creation of your own.  Actual bridge size constraints are limited to a span of 14 inches and a height of 4 inches.

4. Process 1.Use the web resources on the following page to discover facts relevant to your own design. (Brainstorm ideas) 2.Use the known truss designs to develop a bridge with the West Point software. 3.Test your bridge using the software to ensure the tension and compression ratios are acceptable.

5. Resources Use the following sites for research:  Truss Designs Truss Designs  Bridge Basics Bridge Basics  Model Bridge Design Model Bridge Design  Bridge Design Tips Bridge Design Tips Download the software from:  West Point Bridge Builder Site West Point Bridge Builder Site

6. Evaluation  The bridge design will be graded on the weight to cost ratio. This ratio will be referred to as the effectiveness.  The point scale will be determined at the completion of the activity. You are competing against your classmates for a higher grade!

7. Conclusion  The bridge design will now be transferred from the computer software to a tangible product.  You will analyze and apply the forces affecting the bridge to the production of a wood scale model.  We will complete destructive testing to analyze structural failures.