Julia Scharf March 24, 2014 Math 7 Period 1 Geometry Project The Golden Gate Bridge

The cost to construct a new Golden Gate Bridge would be approximately $1.2 billion in 2003 dollars (goldengatebridge.org). The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of the West Coast, standing at 1.7 miles long, and with towers that rise 746 feet into the air. It took a total of 4 years to build this engineering feat. The construction started in 1933, and was completed when the bridge was opened on May 28, 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge was created because up until that time, Marin Country and San Francisco were separated, and the only way to get from one to the other was using a boat, which most people didnt have access to. Therefor, the Golden Gate Bridge was erected. But how does the Golden Gate Bridge relate to geometry? The Golden Gate Bridge is a specific type of bridge, a suspension bridge. A suspension bridge differs from others because it has large cables attached to towers that work to hold up the deck. The deck is the structure that the cars travel on. The towers are placed at specific intervals so that the cables can produce the right amount of tension needed to sustain the bridge. The cables are draped across the tops of the towers forming an arch that helps to strengthen the bridge itself. This formation helps for the bridge to be one of the longest in the world! Since 1937, approximately 1.25 billion cars have crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. This means that it must be an exceptionally sturdy construction. One of the reasons that the Golden Gate Bridge is such a trustworthy establishment is because of the way that the cables are placed. They are suspended in the air in parabolic arches. A parabolic arch simply means that every point on the arch is an equal distance from the focus (top of the arch), to the directrix (straight line across the top

of the arch). This type of arch was first discovered by the Romans and is the most stable type of arch there is. Another aspect of the Golden Gate Bridge are the towers. There are two of them strategically placed along the deck of the bridge, however they reach into the ocean floor. The idea of their placement is that they can create the setup for the perfect parabolas. The towers spacing results in the perfect amount of tension amounting from the cables. This is what supports the 850,000-ton bridge that is part of hundreds of peoples daily commutes. Towers are the key to every functioning suspension bridge. So how does the Golden Gate Bridge relate directly to geometry? The idea of the suspension bridge its self is a geometric feat on its own. Whats even more amazing are the calculations used to create the parabolic arches, and the proper gaps between the towers. What many people fail to comprehend is that the Golden Gate Bridge is more than vermillion orange symbol of San Francisco, but an engineering masterpiece. Constructed of angles, arches, height, length, and width. How many other landmarks relate to geometry?

Works Cited "Geometry of Bridge Construction." Geometry of Bridge Construction. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. "Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco." Archinomy. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. .gov. " Golden Gate Bridge." . Government, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. "Parabola." Parabola. Math Is Fun, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. "Parabolas." Parabolas. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. "SOLUTION: In a Suspension Bridge the Shape of the Suspension Cables Is Parabolic. The Bridge Shown in the Figure Has Towers That Are 600 M Apart and the Lowest Point of the Suspension Cable." SOLUTION: In a Suspension Bridge the Shape of the Suspension Cables Is Parabolic. The Bridge Shown in the Figure Has Towers That Are 600 M Apart and the Lowest Point of the Suspension Cable. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. "Suspension Bridges - Math Central." Suspension Bridges - Math Central. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. "What Role Does Geometry Play in the Design and Strength of a Bridge?" WikiAnswers. Answers Corporation, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.