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Balsa Bridge Project
Project type
Statics Project
Location
University of Pittsburgh
Abstract—The aim of our project was engineer a bridge which maximizes the force supported while minimizing the material usage. This optimization was quantified using a performance index (PI), which evaluated the force supported vs. bridge weight vs. materials cost.The bridge was required to support 1000.85 [N], using a factor of safety (FoS) of 1.1, we designed the bridge
to support 1112.06 [N].
The Allan truss was selected due to eliminate the usage of rabbet joints. The force in each member
was calculated using the method of joints. The number of cross beams was determined by xyz. The angle was optimized by computing the forces in members at varied angles, and choosing the angle with xyz. At final testing, the bridge held xyz [N], had a performance index of xyz, a cost of xyz, and weighed xyz [N].