In week five, our group was able
to start adjusting the design for our bridge. We made minor but substantial
changes to the bottom of our bridge. We used longer Knex pieces to allow for
more bend in the bridge. We then had the chance to test out the bridge that we
had designed. The bridge held thirty six pounds of weight and only broke due to
contortion. Watching the bridge in action, gave me a better idea of how exactly
our bridge was going to work and think about what should be changed in the
design.
After
working more with the Knex pieces, my views of the similarities and differences
between Knex and the West Point Bridge Designer program have remained the same.
I still believe that the Knex give a better understanding than the West Point Bridge
Designer of what to expect from the function of a realistic bridge. However,
the Knex are more of a hassle when redesigning and readjusting designs.
Even
though Knex give more of a realistic approach, they do not completely portray
the functionality of a real bridge. There would be many differences between
designing a steel bridge spanning 20’ and a Knex bridge. The Knex pieces and
pieces of steel have very different strengths and weights. The Knex joints are
not completely secure whereas a steel bridge spanning 20’ would have more
reliable and stable joints. For instance, as more weight is added to the Knex bridge,
the grooved gusset plates detach and cause the bridge to collapse. The joints
also do not secure the chords completely at every angle. The angles at which to
work with using Knex are limited but in a steel bridge they can be created to
an angle that is necessary. The Knex bridge is a good start to designing or
developing ideas for a real bridge but is not completely reliable for a “real”
steel bridge.
I think
the biggest challenge for the group in the upcoming week is going to be testing
and readjusting the current design of the bridge. The current bridge design
seems pretty stable however can always use more improvement.
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