PhysicsQuest 

BRIDGES

INTRODUCTION

Bridges are essential to everyday life. In this PhysicsQuest you will explore the different types of bridges and its characteristics such as the forces that keep them stable and factors that affect its construction.

TASK

This PhysicsQuest  will provide you with the necessary background for the class Bridge Building project.

The activity consists of a thorough research of the principles behind bridge construction.  Each section contains links to various websites, some of them with interactive elements. Read through each link and answer the questions.

PROCESS AND RESOURCES

PART I. BRIDGE TYPES

The Basic Bridge Types

How Bridges Work: The Basics

Major Bridges: Record spans

The three primary families of bridges are:

a. Beam or Girder: Truss bridges

b. Suspension:

Cable Stayed

Suspended

c. Arch: Wood, Stone or Steele

1. For each type of bridge include the following information:

- Main Characteristics (use your own words)

- Two examples of each type bridge giving name, location and span.

PART II. BRIDGE TERMINOLOGY

PBS: Building Big: Forces Lab

FORCES

2. Define the following terms in your own words:

a. Compression

b. Tension

c. Buckling

d. Bending

e. Shear

f. Torsion

LOADS

There are seven different types of loads that can affect a bridge.

3. Name and briefly describe each type of load.

4. Try each load and describe what can be done to strengthen the bridge.

MATERIALS

This section presents 8 different materials that could be used in a bridge.

5. Compare and contrast the use of the following materials regarding its cost to weight ratio, load performance and variety of applications:

a. Concrete vs Reinforced concrete

b. Steel vs cast iron

PART III. BUILD A BRIDGE

NOVA Super Bridge

Follow this interactive activity step-by-step and answer the questions

6. How do the abutments support arch bridges?

7. Discuss the issues related to span in beam bridges.

8a. What are the advantages of using pre-stressed concrete?

  b. Briefly describe the elaboration process.

9. What are the main differences between Cable-Stayed bridges and Suspension bridges?

10. What are some of the advantages of Cable-Stayed bridges over other types of Suspension bridges?

11. Play the game and write your results:

Site  Bridge Type

Bay

Freeway

River

Canyon