ENGG1100 ENGINEERING DESIGN

DOCUMENT 3 of 3

PROJECT C (Deployable Bridge)

Project Brief

Figure 1 Creative deployable bridge solution (Flipopular, 2016)

In this document: All the details of the design task for Project C.

In Document 1: The semester schedule, a summary of assessment, and where to go for help

In Document 2: Assessment details (rubrics, best practice, project specific information etc.)

Project C/16 Semester 1 2016 1/10

Table of Contents

1 Project Brief ....................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Project Scope ............................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Bridge Design Requirements ..................................................................................... 4
1.4 The Model.................................................................................................................. 4
1.4.1 Overview............................................................................................................ 4
1.4.2 Model Materials ................................................................................................ 5
1.4.3 Abutment Connection Plate (Manufactured Component)................................ 5
1.4.4 Model Kit ........................................................................................................... 6

2 Demo Day Protocol............................................................................................................ 7

2.1 Location ..................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Registration ............................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Assembly.................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Assessment ................................................................................................................ 8
2.5 Site Reinstatement .................................................................................................... 8

3 Safety Requirements ......................................................................................................... 9

References ............................................................................................................................... 10

CAVEAT

The design scope and specifications may change during semester as more detailed project
information becomes available. Changes to design briefs are more common than not in
industry, so this adds to the authenticity of the project and allows you to develop those skills
necessary to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty.

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1 Project Brief

1.1 Introduction
Natural disasters can have dramatic and widespread consequences for society as a whole
due to damage to infrastructure, property and loss of human life. Earthquakes and tropical
storms can push infrastructure well beyond design limits resulting in catastrophic failure.
Bridges are often destroyed or damaged in natural disasters such that they become unsafe
for use (Figure 2).

Figure 2. A washed-away bridge after tropical storm Erica, Dominica, 27/8/2015 (Crask, 2015).

When a natural disaster occurs, providing aid for the people affected relies in many
circumstances on access. The repair of transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges and
railway lines) is often critical to ensure that emergency services can be provided. When
existing infrastructure is destroyed or damaged simple temporary structures that are easily
and quickly constructed can provide immediate short-term access.

Deployable bridges are one such structure. Light in weight, they can be transported by
helicopter to the affected area and built by unskilled labour using hand tools in a matter of
hours, depending on conditions. These bridges can be built from only one side of the area to
be bridged. As they may be used to bridge flooded rivers carrying debris (Figure 3), or steep
ravines of unknown depth, they cannot rely on a mid-span support, but instead on the
abutments alone.

Figure 3. Army forces constructing a deployable bridge, Uttarakhand, 2013 (Tehelka, 2013).

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1.2 Project Scope
As part of a national emergency response plan, the Australian government intends to store
ten deployable bridges at various locations around the country.

You will work in a team of five to six students to design a deployable bridge for pedestrian
access as required by emergency services. Furthermore, you will construct a model of the
bridge which will be deployed and tested on Demo Day.

At the end of the semester your team will have:

 scoped the problem;
 outlined the design features necessary to ensure successful use;
 researched and evaluated any existing solutions;
 produced multiple alternative design concepts for evaluation;
 used engineering decision making to select one concept for detailed design;
 provided proof of concept through construction and testing of a scaled down model,
and
 documented your design in a professional engineering report.
The problem must be scoped, designed, and built by members of your team. Project
leaders, tutors and university technicians can be consulted for specific information, but they
will encourage you to wrestle with the problem as opposed to providing answers. This
design struggle is purposefully included in the project expectations because it is how
learning happens, and it mimics what you will experience in the real world.

1.3 Bridge Design Requirements

Your solution must address all of the following design requirements:

1. The bridge shall span a 20 m wide void;

2. It shall allow for passage of pedestrians and emergency crews. Thus, the minimum
clearance of the deck (footpath) is 1.4 m in width and 2.0 m in height. The gradient
of the footpath shall not exceed 1:20 (1 m rise per 20 m horizontal length). There
shall be no steps or sudden change in floor level;
3. The bridge shall be assembled and deployed from one side of the void only;
4. There will be no mid span supports;
5. The bridge must be constructible by unskilled labour and without power tools; and
6. The bridge shall be reusable (i.e. it should be collapsible, and able to be re-deployed
at another location).

1.4 The Model

1.4.1 Overview
Your team will build a model of your deployable bridge design and demonstrate it on Demo
Day in Week 13. The model is to be built at 1:10 scale and should support a target load of 25
kg. Your model will be packed into a supplied cardboard box; this package must weigh less
than 20 kg (including the weight of the box).

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On Demo Day, another team will construct your bridge, so you will need to provide clear
concise hard copy assembly instructions. These instructions may either be stuck securely on
the outside of the box or placed inside a document wallet that is attached to the outside of
the box.

Terminology Clarification
For the purpose of project C the following Cambridge Dictionary definitions apply:
model something that represents another thing, either as a physical object that is
usually smaller than the real object, or as a simple description that can be used in
calculations.
prototype the first example of something, such as a machine or other industrial
product, from which all later forms are developed.
As such your team will build a model of a deployable bridge. However, in context of
Document 2: Assessment (The Details) term prototype is to be understood as a synonym
of term model.

1.4.2 Model Materials

In the design of the deployable bridge itself you may specify any materials of your choice,
but the scale model must only be manufactured from Masonite boards and wooden dowels
for any reinforcement.

If your team finds it necessary to use any other materials you can submit a petition to your
project leader. The petition must provide a solid argument for the use of a different
material, it should be written in a professional manner and it should not exceed one A4
page. A panel of project C leaders will decide whether to grant or reject the petition.

1.4.3 Abutment Connection Plate (Manufactured Component)

The model of the deployable bridge will be assembled to span between two abutments
(Figure 4). The university will provide the abutments. The near side abutment will have a
mounting plate with four bolts projecting upwards (Figure 5).

205 2000 +/- 5

Connection Plate
(Part of Bridge)
300

Mounting Plate
500

(Part of Abutment)

Abutment (Near Side)

Abutment (Far Side)

NOTE: All dimensions in mm

Figure 4. Side view of abutments used on Demo Day.

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 Figure 5. Top view of ‘near’ abutment showing mounting plate and studs.

The bridge is to be attached to the mounting plate via a connection plate. Each team will
manufacture their connection plate (Manufactured Component, Figure 6) from a piece of
aluminium plate supplied by the university. Note that the aluminium plate you will be
supplied with is not square on the ends. You must therefore cut and file it such that the
piece is square. Your team’s connection plate must be submitted as part of the Milestone
Test in Week 9. For details refer to Document 2: Assessment (The Details), Section 8.2 and
Blackboard > Learning Resources > Manufactured Component.

Figure 6. Manufactured Component (Isometric view).

1.4.4 Model Kit

The model of the deployable bridge shall be packed into a cardboard box provided by the
university. The dimensions of the box are 510 mm  305 mm  220 mm. The kit must be
clearly labelled with project group number and team name. The box must contain:
 all model components,
 abutment connection plate,
 tools required to assemble the model, and
 assembly instructions stuck on the outside.
For safety reasons, the box containing the kit must not exceed 20 kg.

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2 Demo Day Protocol

2.1 Location
Assembly and testing of models will take place in Week 13. More details will be made
available closer to the date. Spectators are welcome provided they stay away from the
testing area and do not interfere in any way.

2.2 Registration
Upon arrival teams should proceed to the registration desk where they will submit the
cardboard box containing the deployable bridge kit. At the registration desk your kit will be
inspected for:

 mass of the box, and

 labelling.
When all kits have been submitted and inspected by university staff they will be reallocated
to a different team for construction. That is, you will build another team’s bridge rather
than your own bridge, so it is essential to produce clear assembly instructions. When you
are allocated another team’s box you will also receive an assessment sheet that you must
take to your allocated assembly plot.

2.3 Assembly
At each assembly plot there will be a pair of abutments with a 2 m void in between (Figure
4). You will assemble the model from one abutment towards the other without crossing
over the void. Barricade tape will be used to indicate the line that you must not cross at any
time during construction.

Before assembly begins all teams will have 5 minutes to read the assembly instructions for
the model bridge that they have been assigned. In this time they may discuss the
instructions within their own team but they may not ask questions of the team that
designed the model bridge that they are to assemble.

When assembly is about to commence each team will send one member of their team to
observe the team that is assembling their own bridge. This is to prevent accusations of
deliberately slow assembly or incorrect assembly. The observer may not assist or advise the
team doing the assembly.

A timekeeper will give a signal to open the kit and commence assembling the models.
Teams have a maximum time of 30 minutes to assemble the model. When they are finished
they must signal the timekeeper who will record the team’s completion time. After 30
minutes, a signal to finish will be given and teams will be asked to step away from the
assembly area.

Assessment crews will inspect and document the models after which teams will have 10 min
to check their own model and make adjustments as necessary.

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2.4 Assessment
Assessment crews will assess all models as per the marking details contained in Document 2:
Assessment (The Details), Section 8.5.3.

2.5 Site Reinstatement

After completion of all tests, each team must disassemble their own model and return the
site to as near a pristine condition as possible. You need to make sure to collect all parts of
the kit, including tools, screws, and instructions. No rubbish or pieces of models are to be
left behind and everything brought by each team to the site must be removed.

Project C/16 Semester 1 2016 8/10

3 Safety Requirements

You and your team must comply with the following safety requirements.
1. Manufacturing may be undertaken using the ABB Student Technology Centre (ABB STC).
Inductions for the ABB STC must be done online before you can enter the workshop. Full
details are available on Blackboard at: Learning Resources > Manufactured Component.
2. Your team must undertake a Build Risk Assessment for building your model as part of the
Project Scheduling Package (PSP) due in Week 5. No model making, assembly or testing
will be permitted until your tutor has received and signed a hard copy of this risk
assessment document as part of your PSP.
3. The following personal protection equipment must be worn at all times during demo day
activities:
 enclosed shoes,
 safety glasses to be carried and used if required, and
 work gloves to be carried and used if required.

Project C/16 Semester 1 2016 9/10

References

Crask, P. (2015). Dominica asks for aid after tropical storm Erica devastates the island, The
Guardian. Retrieved 27/12/2016 from
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/04/dominica-asks-for-aid-tropical-storm-
erika-damage

Flipopular (2016). Mind Blown! 39 Objects We Had No Idea Existed. Whoa. Retrieved
27/01/2016 from http://flipopular.com/39-objects-from-the-past-present-and-future-
that-will-turn-your-world-upside-down/19/.

Tehelka (2013). U’khand floods: 10 bodies recovered from rivers in UP, Tehelka. Retrieved
27/01/2016 from http://www.tehelka.com/2013/06/theuttarakhandfloods/.

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