Does The Number Of Triangles In A Bridge Provide Greater Strength?

Bridges are used in everyday life. As a child, did you ever worry that an bridge would collapse as you went over it? My experiment is to determine whether the number of triangles in an bridge provide greater strength. Bridges stand the test of time because of physics. Physics is defined as, “The science that deals with matter, energy, motion, and force,”(Dictionary.com). Physics incorporates everything from stars and lighting to everyday motion. Bridges and architecture are also part of physics. The art of building bridges uses force. Force, as described by Yale University, “is a push or pull in any direction in which a change is produced. A force can be weight (mass x gravity), wind, air resistance, or even a moving vehicle exerting its

It has many variables. This science fair project is testing only one of the three measures of load described by Teach Engineering, ”Dead loads include the weight of the bridge itself plus any other permanent object affixed to the bridge, such as toll booths, highway signs, guardrails, gates or a concrete road surface. Live loads are temporary loads that act on a bridge, such as cars, trucks, trains or pedestrians. Environmental loads are temporary loads that act on a bridge and that are due to weather or other environmental influences, such as wind from hurricanes, tornadoes or high gusts; snow; and earthquakes.” (Teach Engineering p.2). This question would test only dead loads but as people build real bridges they they to calculate all

If the pyramids can hold up for four millennia, then they have some amazing strength behind it. Triangles are the strongest shape as explained by John’s Corner, ”The triangle is the only two dimensional polygon that if constructed of rigid members with hinged corners is absolutely fixed in shape up to the compressive and tensile limits of its members...The rigidizing triangular members are often called “gussets” and, although they may not extend the total length of the members they rigidize, they effectively make the two connecting members into a single rigid component.” (John’s Corner p.2-3). To complete this project, it would require to use the same design but not the same amount of triangles to make this experiment valid. To measure the experiment, Garrett’s Bridges recommends the Hanging Bucket method. The Hanging Bucket is to rest the bridge on two elevated supports. This could be accomplished with two tables spaced with a small distance between them. An alternative to two tables is to have one table with a hole cut in it. Place a loading block on top of the bridge or inside the bridge. Suspend a bucket below using a eye-bolt, S hook, and some chain. Fill the bucket with weight