Science Project

[spikejones52002]

 It is always nice when You get someone else to do your homework.

[PJM20]

That looks like a good design, but I forgot to mention the big issue. My bridge is going to stressed with weights to the point where it breaks and even if I do good, this is a compitetion so first gets 2 points etc. Sorry - Peter

[ttrigg]

Build the upper and lower "corbels". Start with 5 Popsicle sticks end to end. Take 4 more and stager them over the joints and glue. (see pic 1) Build three more of these. In my pictures I have dry stacked the sticks just to give you the idea.

After glue dries assemble the side panels. Two corbels spaced about 2/3 a stick apart. Start in the middle with a vertical "post" and then a diagonal brace, and work to each end. (pic 2). Play with the spacing between the corbels until you end up with a vertical post at each end.

After the side panels are dry add the "transoms". Glue them to the vertical posts of the panel. (pic 3) The transoms should extend beyond the edge of the panels by about an inch or so.

Once the glue dries for the transoms, then take the rest of your sticks and fill in from transom to transom for the "treadway" (deck of the bridge).Since I dry stacked everything for the pics, mine is not going to hold together but from the photo in my first response, I’m sure you get the idea.

From the "Bailey" design you can build either a "through truss" or a "deck truss". In pic 3 I am holding the transom in the lower position for a through truss, just move it up to the topside and you have a deck truss.

If your teacher asks about your design, you have based your bridge upon the "Bailey Bridge" used during World War 2 by the Allies. It was designed by a Brit. with the last name of Bailey. Do a google search for "Bailey Bridge" to gather some "sidebar" information to gather a few more "extra credit" points. The U.S. Army still has this bridge in its inventory and they are still painted "Royal Grey". When the Brits allowed us to manufacture their bridge they stipulated that it must be painted "Royal Grey" and we have kept our word. Now you have a "Science Project" with a "History Lesson". Good luck my friend.

[ttrigg]

Peter: A Kwai bridge will run a couple thousand sticks.  How about a modified Bailey design?  Give me an hour or so and I can give you a quick sketch.

 

I can sketch up some working plans for you to work from if you are interested. 

 

[PJM20]

For a science project I have to build a bridge made with popsicle sticks. The requirments are that the max number of popsicles is 200 and I can't modify any popsicle stick and I can only use elmers regular ol' school glue. I was considering a River Kwai Bridge design, but I want to see whay you guys can come up with (knowing railroad bridges are the best kind of bridge) - Peter