Horizontal Spans - Week 2

Observations and notes made from three bridges created in week 2

1. SATE STICKS

Construction process:

Through group brainstorming, we came up with an idea that mimicked weaving and stacking. On the base layer five single sate sticks were laid out at equal distances. On top of those, five more single sate sticks were laid across evenly, but rotated 90 degrees to create a hatching pattern. The sate sticks were then staked on further, using hot glue as a means of connection. The final structure ended up approximately 2.5cm in height.

Observations:

With only using the force of our hands pushing down on to the structure, it seemed already quite strong. Once all the trays of paper were placed on top, two people stood on top of it. The structure did not break after the paper weight or the two human loads.

Weight of structure:

67g

Weight at breaking point/load collapse:

Approximately 157kg

Weight of supported load/weight of structure:

157000.00g / 67.00g = 2343.28g

2. SATE STICKS AND NYLON

Construction process:

Without the aid of hot glue as a way to connect the sate sticks together, nylon and rubber bands were used. These created pin joints in the structure which would make it unstable if forces were to be placed on it upright. However since the load would be vertical and the structure flat, the pin joints were not so much of a concern. Nine sate sticks were grouped together to create more strength and to reach the height of approximately 2cm.

Observations:

Similar to the Sate Stick Bridge, the bridge by itself already seemed structurally sound. This was confirmed when paper weight was loaded on to the tray and a human load was able to bounce/jump up and down on the bridge without it falling into itself or breaking.

Weight of structure:

75g

Weight at breaking point:

Approximately 90kg

Weight of supported load/weight of structure:

90000.00g / 75.00g = 1200.00g

3. PURELY PAPER 

Construction process:

Similar to the paper bridge in week one, this bridge would follow the same accordion like folds to create strength and have more surface area to the structure. Since the bridge only had to be a minimum of 2cm high, the original 5cm high construction paper was folded in half to make a resulting 2.5cm high bridge, and also to create more density and stability in the bridge as a whole

Observations:

Once all the paper weights were placed on top of the structure, three people were able to stand on top of it before it gave way on the corner of the bridge. This could be due to a lack of density and strength in that area of the structure, or simply the person standing on that corner was heavier than the rest causing it to collapse.

Weight of structure:

51g

Weight at breaking point:

Approximately 197.5kg

Weight of supported load/weight of structure:

197500.00g / 51.00g = 3872.55g

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