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Does Length Affect the Amount of Weight a Bridge Can Support?

CSEF · 2006 Structural Capability & Strength of Materials (Junior Division Only)

Jackson R. Thomas · Willowside Middle School, Santa Rosa

Overview

Objectives/Goals I studied the correlation between length and weight support on a simple beam bridge. I thought that the longer the beam, the less weight it would support. Methods/Materials To do this I built a bridge out of wood and changed the length of the beam,(which was a pair of wooden skewers.) Results At the end, my hypothesis was supported. There was direct correlation between the length of the bridge and the weight pressed upon it. The longer the span of the beam, the more compression and tension would happen upon the beam. Conclusions/Discussion If there is too much weight on a beam of a certain length then it will break or snap. Bridges are an important part of transportation. If they aren't constructed properly then they might collapse and harm people.

Summary statement

My project was to discover if there was any correlation between length and strength of a bridge span.

Help received

My dad helped me build the bridge.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2006 Structural Capability & Strength of Materials (Junior Division Only) · Entry J1820

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