Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Charles Pringle, PE

Second Committee Member

Dr. John Choi

Third Committee Member

Mr. Chris Berkshire

Abstract

Bridges have been used worldwide to allow passage between untraversable terrain. These bridges are built according to their terrain and environment, while also withstanding the forces of objects going across them. This project explores building a bridge under specific design restrictions to be able to simulate objects traversing across and under it. The device consists of a bridge, utilizing a Pratt truss design, and an articulation tower which are mechanically linked using a hinge. The articulation tower allows the bridge to be raised and lowered, simulating an object to be passed under. Raising and lowering the bridge consists of using a motor controlled by an Arduino. Both the bridge and articulation tower are designed and built using balsa wood, making the device very lightweight. The device is tested through several methods. A tape measure and an applied load is used to test the performance. The results found that the bridge withstood a center load of 19 kg. The center of the bridge also deflected less than 25 mm when the load was applied. Other tests that meet specification requirements were completed, such as making sure the device was under the required mass of 85 kg and measuring the middle of the bridge when it’s raised to be at least 140 mm.

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