Week 3: Team Update

Week two continued the discussion of the structure of bridges and the process of a design of a bridge was started. Many factors affect a bridge when it is built. A bridge may seem to work out nicely on paper but sometimes errors arise and it does not. If all factors of the bridge and on the bridge are not taken into account, there could be some serious problems. Also, some bridges have been built using simple trial and error. Another topic that arose was the maintenance of the bridge. Over the years wear and tear on the materials the bridge is made out of can affect the structure and safety of the bridge. Painting, repairing and inspections must be completed in order to make sure that the bridge is up to par. When changes are done to the bridge it slightly affects the way the bridge functions. However, if it is not maintained, bigger problems can arise and even the smallest issues can combine into a huge problem.

            In the previous week, the use of West Point Bridge Design was utilized and necessary in learning the types of designs for a truss bridge. We had played with the idea of which was bridge design would work best and would be cheapest. The starting design began with a box shaped design with triangles in each square which was thought to help further the amount of vertical load being applied. Unfortunately, the first design was a failure and the progress of the bridge halted until the next idea for a truss bridge was thought of.  One thing noticed was that although triangles are the perfect reliable shape, their placement in the bridge is vital. The resulting designing that will be finalized will not include the previously stated design because of the insignificant ratio of weight loading capacity to cost.

The upcoming week will result in the further development of a well decided upon design for a finalized bridge idea. The intention of the process is necessary to improve a design of a truss bridge and to become familiarized with a bridge project design. Assistant will be offered and questions will be answered to stimulate the development process in the course.

Without having prior experience in a similar project involving bridge building, the task at hand will be difficult to accomplish so research in the process will be necessary. In addition, trial and error in the design and consulting other members of the group with different ideas will be difficult to convey. However, through the process of communication, design, and trial and error, team work skills will be developed and used in the future.