Bridges: The Art and Science for Creating Community Connections

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 08.04.07

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Objectives
  3. Strategies and Classroom Activities
  4. Bridge Building Inquiry Lab
  5. Bibliography
  6. Appendix 1 State Objectives for North Carolina Physics
  7. Appendix 2 Teacher and student annotated references
  8. Endnotes

The Design and Analysis of Structures

Debra Blake Semmler

Published September 2008

Tools for this Unit:

Guide Entry to 08.04.07

The main goal of this curriculum unit is to use the bridge structure to aid students in the analysis of static structures. The unit includes activities in the drawing of free-body diagrams, graphical analysis and mathematical analysis of static structures. Most physics students have difficulties with the drawing of free-body diagrams and the mathematical analysis of Newton's Laws and this curriculum unit will include a greater emphasis on the graphical analysis of static structures. Students will research bridge design and materials and apply what they have learned about force analysis to design their own model of an elevated trussed bridge structure. The students will draw a full scale diagram of the bridge and construct their bridge models out of dry pasta and hot glue. The bridge model will be tested for its mechanical efficiency after completion of the force analysis. A discussion of the bridge failure will follow the testing and students will evaluate the weakness in their design.

(Developed for Physics I, MYP, Honors AP Physics I, grades 10-12; recommended for Physics, grades 10-12)

Comments:

Nancy Rudolph

May 5, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Didn't realize I'd have the chance to use this!

I was at Yale during the bridge-building. I didn't realize I would be teaching physics and be able to use this unit. I'm also using your context as a starting point for a unit I'm getting started on in the Delaware Teachers Institute. Thank you!

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