Alondra Villegas

Period:5

Bridge Lab Report

Introduction
The whole unit was about engineering design process. A engineering is using science and math
to solve problems to improve the world around us. There's five steps on engineering design
process. The five steps are ask,imagine,design,plan,create, and improve. The purpose of the
lap was to build a bridge that allow a car go through and support heavy weight. The problem
that was being asked to solve was to build a bridge out of 1000 toothpicks that needed it to be
strong and steady. This connects to what is being studied in class because is to make sure that
the bridge is build for any conditions.

Research
There are four type of bridges and they are the Beam bridge, Arch bridge, Truss bridge, and the
Suspension Bridge. Each bridge has some pros and cons about it. A beam bridge is the
simplest structural forms for bridge span. A pro for a beam bridge is easy to build and used in
urban and rural settings the most. A con is a large ships and heavy boat can not pass
underneath. A arch bridge is a bridge with abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch.A
pro for a arch bridge is it could be built by a various materials.A con is the span is limited.A truss
bridge is a structure of connected elements forming triangular units. A pro for a truss bridge is
the only bridge with road placement. A con is it takes to much space than other bridges. Lastly,
a suspension bridge is supported by a vertical cable suspended from larger cables. A pro for a
suspension bridge is it allows big ships go underneath. A con is that it has load limitations.

Materials
● 1000 toothpicks
● Glue
● Ruler
● Scissors
● Wax Paper

Procedure
1. We started to do the base
2. Then we build some some cables (toothpicks)
 3. Then glue the cables together to make triangles
4. While the triangles were drying we made another base
5. We glue the the triangles on the base
6. Then we made another two bases
7. Lastly we made a cover on top

Results
Our bridge did well at first. The car was able to go through our bridge. When weights
started to be added to the bridge it started to make some cracking noises. It broke
immediately when two kilograms were added to the bridge. The bridge only could hold
two kilograms. It did not have enough support to hold any more weights.

Conclusion
Some things that went well with our group was planning the bridge. Collecting our ideas
and construction the bridge together. Some things that did not go well was trying to glue
all the pieces together. Also to have the right measurements requirements. If we could
do this bridge over again was to add more bases and add more support. Also to built it
differently. The point of this unit was able to build a strong bridge that could hold a lot of
weights. Also to learn all the process of engineering. Learning what does a engineering
does and what it means to be a engineering. Lastly, learning all the steps that a
engineering does before building a bridge or other constructions.