DESIGN OBJECTIVES

Truss topology design problems deals with construction like bridges. For example the
bridge should withstand forces corresponding to morning or evening rush hour traffic and
even to an earthquake.
The selection of an optimal configuration for the structure depends on the used
criteria. For examples are characteristics of rigidity such as stiffness and stability of the
construction. The total amount of materials used. The problems of design in aspect of
stability that we faced is the top of the bridge is low stable because of the materials are not
arrange tightly. And then we just use a small quantity of materials at the top. So it cannot face
a heavy load above 4kg. The bottom of the bridge is very stable cause we use a large quantity
of materials and arrange closely to make their tight together and very stable. So the more
loads can put on the floor beam without breaks it.
The main structural elements of a typical bridge truss are floor beam, panel, top cord
and portal end post. Additional stability is provided by the portal and sway bracing. The
amount of the straw and materials used is measured by the weight of the trusses that is ...........
for our trusses it is normally used for spans up to 60 m in length. All loadings are applied at
the joints. In most situation, such as bridge and roof trusses, this assumptions is true.
Frequently in force analysis, the weight of the members is neglected, since force supported by
the members is large in comparison with the weight.
The objectives of this project are to understand the effect of redundant member in a
structure observed and the method of the analyzing type of the structure, to optimize the
stability of the bridge design, and to resist the lateral forces caused by the wind and the load.
The bottom cord is made of multiple straws to make sure the structure is strong and
can withstand the load. Each cord is made of four straws. The stability of the bridge design is
optimize by providing the portal and sway bracing. The top and bottom cords of the side
trusses are connected by top and bottom lateral bracing, which serves to resist the lateral
forces caused by the wind and the moving load.

MATERIAL PROPERTIES

Straw made up from plastic.

Salotape
Scissors.

PREDICTED FAILURE LOAD

We had analyse that our bridge design was failed because it different from what we were
predicted. From the bridge design,we predicted that the load should be 4kg. But our bridge
design can only load about 2.61kg. Therefore, the ratio of the predicted load with actual load
were 2 : 0.61. The part of joints or members that first felt was the top of the bridge.

REFERENCES

1) J.N.Richardson. Topology Optimization of Truss-like Structures: from Theory to

Practice. PhD thesis, Brussels School of Engineering, 2013.
2) K. Deb and S. Gulati. Design of truss-structures for minimum weight using genetic
algorithms. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 2001.