Balsa Wood Bridge
Document Type
Creative works or constructive object presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
16-5-2021
End Date
22-5-2021
Keywords
Balsa wood, Bridge, Truss
Abstract
The project requires the individual to design and construct a truss bridge made from balsa wood and wood glue to perform several objectives. The main objectives are to articulate the bridge by raising it, to conform to dimensional requirements, to allow a vehicle to travel along the road deck, and to hold a minimum load. The bridge must be able to articulate in two different ways. First, the articulation system can lift the road deck vertically while on top of the bridge. Second, raise the bridge with a pivot when the articulation system is placed at the specified end of the bridge. The bridge was able to raise the road deck to the required 280 mm height and allowed a sheet of paper to slide between the abutment and bridge using the pivot, holding it for ten seconds. The bridge without the articulation system weighed less than 85 grams when measured with a digital scale. The vehicle represented by a block pulled with a string can travel across the road deck without obstructions. The bridge was then tested for loading by adding weights to the inserted rod; however, the bridge couldn’t reach the 20 kg load before it began to fail.
Recommended Citation
Nye, Joshua, "Balsa Wood Bridge" (2021). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 33.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2021/CEPS/33
Department/Program
Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction
Additional Mentoring Department
https://cwu.studentopportunitycenter.com/balsa-wood-bridge-project-by-joshua-nye/
Balsa Wood Bridge
Ellensburg
The project requires the individual to design and construct a truss bridge made from balsa wood and wood glue to perform several objectives. The main objectives are to articulate the bridge by raising it, to conform to dimensional requirements, to allow a vehicle to travel along the road deck, and to hold a minimum load. The bridge must be able to articulate in two different ways. First, the articulation system can lift the road deck vertically while on top of the bridge. Second, raise the bridge with a pivot when the articulation system is placed at the specified end of the bridge. The bridge was able to raise the road deck to the required 280 mm height and allowed a sheet of paper to slide between the abutment and bridge using the pivot, holding it for ten seconds. The bridge without the articulation system weighed less than 85 grams when measured with a digital scale. The vehicle represented by a block pulled with a string can travel across the road deck without obstructions. The bridge was then tested for loading by adding weights to the inserted rod; however, the bridge couldn’t reach the 20 kg load before it began to fail.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2021/CEPS/33
Faculty Mentor(s)
Charles Pringle