My Structure

CE 330

April 25th, 2004

Preliminary model (note: no symmetry).  The horizontal members that run along the length of the structure are in pure compression, and the paper clips are in tension.  The paper clips are held to the the other horizontal members with notebook rings.  The members that run lengthwise are made out of balsa wood, and the members with the rings around them are made of basswood (balsa wood is soft and makes annoying sounds).

Loading the completed model (Note the tape that holds the paper clips together)

My structure fully loaded.  My structure was still straining as we made a reading and unloaded it.  It strained too much.  I felt sure that it would break as did my team mates.  After the competition was over, we decided to make sure.

Here it is, holding it all (indefinitely?).  I think that perhaps it would have been better to pre-stress the paper clips, but again, I thought it would break, and if it had broken before the test, I wouldn't have had anything.  Oh well, now we just have to do the report.

Here are the other bridges: