Truss Bridge
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Abstract
For this project we had to create truss bridge supports out of balsa wood and then test the strength of those truss supports using vex parts and force meters. Then we collected data from the experiment and analyzed the weight, force at failure, and efficiency. We did this for two models of two designs for a total of four tests.
List of Exhibits
To the left is a picture of what the balsa wood sticks we used looked like. They were essentially soft wood that was easy to cut yet still strong enough to withstand a significant amount of force. We used rulers to measure out the lengths for the truss supports and then used exacto knives to cut them appropriately. The exacto knives worked well because the wood was so soft.
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To the right is the data analysis for the first truss design. This design was a simple triangle support, and the force was applied from the top corner of the triangle down. One of the models performed significantly better than the other, so it must have had stronger cuts of wood in it or simply been put together a little tighter.
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To the left is the data analysis for the second truss design. This design was a right triangle support connected to a rectangle support. The force was applied from the top of the middle support beam down. The force of failure was only slightly more than model one of the first design, but was significantly less than model two of design one.
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Reflection
Overall this project taught me a lot about structural strength and the forces acting on beams. I learned how different shapes hold up under loads and how to calculate different components of the truss supports. If we had to do this again I would add more models to each design to get a more accurate average of the force at failure. That way we could compare the two designs better and develop stronger conclusions.