West Point Bridge Design

Technology 8

Your task is to build two bridges spanning a river with the lowest cost possible. You have a maximum budget of $300,000 for each bridge.

Objectives:

·  To ensure that the bridge can safely carry its own weight as well as the weight of a load (truck).

·  To keep the cost of the bridge as low as possible.

Constraints bridge 1:

·  The bridge elevation must be 24 meters

·  The configuration may be standard abutments, arch abutments. The design may not use one or two anchorages and also cannot use piers.

·  The deck material must use medium strength concrete.

·  The loading must be Standard 180kN Truck (two lanes).

·  The cost of the bridge may not exceed $300,000.

Constraints bridge 2:

·  The bridge elevation must be 24 meters

·  The configuration may be open. (It is up to you)

·  The deck material must use medium strength concrete.

·  The loading must be Standard 180kN Truck (two lanes).

·  The cost of the bridge may not exceed $300,000.

Reminder: the cost of the bridge cannot exceed $300,000 for the entire construction of the bridge. This includes excavation, road, and bridge material.

Evaluation Questions:

1. What were problems that you encountered while designing your bridge on the software program West Point Bridge Design?

2. Is the cost of your bridge under $300,000? (Answer in complete sentence)? If not why?

3. Describe your design? For example- did you use standard or arch abutments?

4. If you could design a new bridge, how would the new design differ from the previous design?