Balsa Wood Bridge Project

BALSA WOOD BRIDGE PROJECT

PHASE I - PLANNING AND DESIGN (65 Points)

The first phase of this project will start with some initial research about the type of bridge that you would like to design and build. I will not limit you to the style bridge that you can build. (The internet and computer can be useful in this stage)

Your first order of business is to pick a partner. You and your partner should discuss some design ideas and sketch some on paper. (See Dimensions below) Once you have decided on a design, you must measure out how much wood you will need and turn in a purchase order sheet to the teacher. The amount of wood you need must be within your allotted budget. (See Budget and cost below)

At this point you should draw an artistic perspective view drawing for display and your top, front and side view drawings which will act as your blueprints for building your bridge. (Please make a copy to work off of as you build your bridge)

You will turn in: 1. Your partners names Due: March 7, 20?? 2. Your Purchase order Due: March 17, 20??

3. Sketches of different ideas on paper for the design of your bridge 4. Draw a perspective view drawing (should be artistic) a. name your bridge on this drawing b. this will accompany the final product for possible display c. this drawing should be done on 8.5” x 11” clean white paper d. this is a 3-demensional drawing 5. Draw a top view, front view and side view of designed bridge a. this should be used as your blue print for building the bridge b. show dimensions c. this drawing should be done on 3 separate sheets of grid paper d. this is a 2-demensional drawing

#3-#5 Due: March 24, 20?? (All drawings should be placed in a folder) PHASE II - CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGE (75 points)

The teacher will supply each group with the amount of balsa wood indicated on your purchase order sheet. Some basic items needed, will be glue and an exacto knife or razor blade to cut the wood (a coping saw works as well).

It is important that you keep a copy of your view drawings to use as blueprints for your bridge. You will be graded on the accuracy of you built bridge in comparison to your blueprints.

If you run out of wood, break the wood or cut the wood the wrong way, creating a shortage, you must fill out another purchase order sheet for the amount of wood you will need to finish the project. If this creates an overage in your budget, points will be deducted.

You will turn in:

1. one constructed bridge per team a. neatness of finished product will be considered in grading b. the bridge should follow the blue print from Phase I c. DO NOT build a road on your bridge

Due: April 13, 20?? DIMENSIONS

The bridge should be 24” long (no longer, no shorter).

The width of the bridge should be 2” wide.

The height of the bridge (from road to top of bridge) Minimum 2 “ Maximum 8 “

*If your bridge has legs (a base) and stands off the ground: The bridge should stand off of the ground Minimum 2 ¼ “ Maximum 2 ¾ “

**If the bridge does not have a base then there are no measurement requirements.

BUDGET AND COST

You must fill out a Purchase Order Sheet to order the wood you will need to build your bridge. Your budget for the project will be $800,000.00.

Cost of Wood:

Type of wood Cost per inch

1 1 2 ” x 2 ” $2,500 / inch

1 1 4 ” x 4 ” $1,800 / inch

1 1 8 ” x 8 ” $1,500 / inch