Collapsible Bridge
Objective
Create a structure that can span a 6 foot gap that can also fold up and be packed inside of a box with a volume of a cubic foot. The structure must also hold a sizable weight. Students are to work in teams of 3-4.
Constraints
- Weight: No more than 8 pounds
- Load: 30 pounds
- The bridge must span a 6 foot gap, and fold into a volume of a cubic foot.
- The load can be placed on the structure by the students’ choice.
Research
We conducted research to determine the best materials and which design type would most effective for this type of project. That research is summarized below:
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Design and Bridge
The initial design and final project are shown here side by side. Our researched and testing showed that for the bridge to be collapsible, the design had to be relatively simple. Holes were cut out of the bridge because of weight issues. The design turned out to be very effective and held well over 60 lbs.
