Building Bridges, Part 2 (a study in vectors and forces)

Today you need to build a type of truss bridge with a deck elevation of 20 meters. The group must maximize the effectiveness of the bridge while minimizing costs. You must create a new bridge, not simply rework an existing design.

Points

Less than 260000 dollars (+5)
Tension forces less than 3000 kN (+10)

Print the Test Results report and the Bridge design and hand in.

Based on this data, you will build (tomorrow) a bridge of toothpicks, straws, gumdrops, and manila folders (concrete). You must provide a scaled drawing of your bridge (1 m = 1 cm) BEFORE starting this project.

Building a Bridge

(Download to drive D:\, if possible) and install.

Your goal is to build a bridge that can stand up to the test of time. Today, you will have about 1/2 hour to the basics of bridge-building...

Remember,

TRIANGLES are the best shape for building
DIFFERENT MATERIALS have different strengths
NET FORCE must be close to zero, or be balanced by material strength, or the bridge will collapse...

Vector Golf

Step 1: You, along with one or two other designers (NO GROUP BIGGER THAN 3), will be putting together a 9-hole golf course. The maximum area available for the golf course is a land area that is 1760 yds by 2650 yds. A lovely creek runs through the land, and there are trees on two edges, and a housing development on a third.

For the purpose of this activity, cost is no object, so trees and sand traps can be added at will.

Draw a detailed sketch of your course using the paper by the meter stick and hand in. Make sure you have added a compass rose and have marked the scale on your paper. Color the course using colored pencils or crayons.

Provide a vector length and heading for the first leg of each hole.
Hints: Club houses are often 6000-15000 sq. ft. Houses are often 1800-4000 sq. ft., with the upper range representing a mansion-style home.

Hint: Google 'golf course design' if you need a sample to get ideas.

Step 2:

Each designed will make a scale drawing of one hole, using a scale of 3 cm = 120 yards. The scale drawing will be done digitally using Power, but three copies of the hole must be handed in. Label the drawing with a hole number, mark the tee with a T, and the hole in a flag. Make sure the compass rose on this drawing matches the orientation of the hole on the master course. The master course must also be handed in.