Building

Bridges

Engineers: __________________________
 Our Bridge
The Principals of Fort Belvoir Elementary School have decided that they need to build a bridge over the
water in the back of our school. They want students and teachers to be able to explore the land behind our
school but when it rains we can’t do that without a way to cross the water. The principals have assigned Ms.
Parks’ class to solve this problem. Our classroom will divide into teams of 2-3 students. Those teams will
work together to learn about, plan, design, and build a bridge. But, bridges are expensive! So before they will
build one of our bridges we will have to build them a model and prove that it can hold a good amount of
weight.

Engineering Design Process

When engineers design bridges they can’t just start building right away. They have to go through a process
just like we will when building our model bridges. We will go through the following steps….

1. Identify the Problem.

2. Research/Learn about what will be done to solve the problem.
3. Brainstorm Ideas and Solutions for the Problem.
4. Plan and draw a design.
5. Build a prototype (a first model).
6. Test the prototype.
7. Evaluate how well the prototype worked, improve the design, and build.
8. Reflect on how your group did and how well your bridge was built.
 Building Bridges Notes
Background Information

 Bridges are important because they help people to travel or cross _____________,
______________, and _______________.
 There are over ____________________ bridges in the United States.
 Some bridges are small while others can be longer than __________________ feet.

Building Bridges

 When building bridges engineers must consider…..

o ______________________________________________________
o ______________________________________________________
o ______________________________________________________

Types of Bridges

 Beam Bridge- a
_______________________ beam
supported by piers or
__________________ posts on each end.
Best for _________________ distances.

It is the ____________________ and

_____________________ type of bridge
to build.
  Arch Bridge-
_______________________ on each side
of these bridges help to support the
weight. The ________________ is what
the very middle of the bridge is called. It
is one of the ______________________
types of bridges.

 Suspension Bridge-Roadways on these

bridges are hung or
_____________________ from the top of
the bridge. Most of these bridges have
_______________ or triangles
underneath that allow wind to pass
through. These bridges are the most
____________________ but can also be
the _____________________.

Force and Mass

 Force- a _______________ or a ________________ on an object.

o People, cars, and other vehicles apply ______________ to bridges.
 Mass-how much _____________________ is in an object. Often mass is found by
________________________ something.
o When building bridges engineers must consider the _______________ or weight
of the objects that will travel across it.
 Bridge Engineer Quiz
You must pass this open note quiz in order to become an official bridge engineer!
1. Bridges help people and cars to cross all of the following EXCEPT?
a. Streams
b. Rivers
c. Canyons
d. Oceans
2. Which type of bridge is the cheapest to build?
a. Suspension
b. Arch
c. Beam
3. Which type of bridge is the most expensive to build?
a. Suspension
b. Arch
c. Beam
4. Which type of bridge is the oldest?
a. Suspension
b. Arch
c. Beam

Match each picture with the name of the type of bridge it is.

1. Arch _______________ a.

2. Suspension __________ b.

3. Beam ______________ c.
 Bridge Ideas/Design
Ideas
Our group of engineers chose to design/build a ______________________ bridge. We chose to
design/build this type of bridge because……

Design Requirements:
Your bridge must measure at least 12 inches long (It needs to be able to cross over the 10 inch
model of the water behind the school). It needs to be able to hold at least 5 lbs. for 1 minute.

Your bridge design/model must include…

1. 8 straws
2. 5 rubber bands
3. 5 small pieces of tape
4. 75 popsicle sticks
5. Glue

Your bridge design/model can include up to but no more than…..

1. 12 straws
2. 10 rubber bands
3. 12 small pieces of tape
4. 125 popsicle sticks
Design:
Now draw your bridge! Make sure to name your bridge, write what type of bridge it is, label the parts you know
from our notes, and label what materials each part will be. You also need to record the number of each material
you will use. Make sure to think about how to design a strong but also nice looking bridge.

Popsicle Sticks ______________ Rubber Bands ________________

Straws ______________ Pieces of Tape ________________

When your design has been approved by the teacher you can build!! _______
 Bridge Changes/Improvements
Now that you have designed, built, and tested your bridge, it is time to think about what improvements you
want to make. As great engineers, you need to reflect on what went well and what could be better!

1. How much weight did your bridge hold and for how long? ________________________

2. What parts of the design worked well for your bridge (What would you keep the same and why)?

3. What changes would you like to make to your bridge to make it better (What could you do to allow your
bridge to hold more weight)?

4. If you are going to add more materials, record below how many more of each material you will use.

Popsicle Sticks ______________ Rubber Bands ________________

Straws ______________ Pieces of Tape ________________
 Final Bridge Evaluation
1. Were you able to design/build a bridge that held 5lbs. or more? _________________

2. Did your changes improve your bridge? How?

3. Did your bridge look nice? Could you have made it look better? How?

4. What designs or ideas did other teams use that you liked?

Rubric
Plan Design Improvements Teamwork
1- Plan was undetailed 1-Design was drawn 1-Improvements were 1-Your team worked
and not very well very messy and did not not made. poorly together and had
thought out. have parts labeled. many arguments.
2-Plan was a little bit 2-Design was drawn 2-Few improvements 2-Your team did not
thought out with few messy and had few were made and bridge work well together. Had
details. labeled parts. held same weight. some issues.
3-Plan was well thought 3-Design was neat with 3-Many improvements 3-Your team worked
out with some details. many labeled parts. were made but the bridge well together. Had a
held same weight. few issues.
4-Plan was very well 4-Design was very neat 4-Many improvements 4-Your team worked
thought out with many with all labeled parts. were made and bridge very well together. No
details. held more weight. issues.
 Notes Page Answers
Background Information
 Bridges are important because they help people to travel or cross canyons, rivers, and streams.
 There are over 500, 000 bridges in the United States.
 Some bridges are small while others can be longer than 7, 000 feet.
Building Bridges
 When building bridges engineers must consider…..
o Distance the bridge needs to cover.
o What will need to cross the bridge (cars or people)
o How much weight or mass it needs to hold
Types of Bridges
 Beam Bridge- a horizontal beam supported by piers or vertical posts on each end. Best for short distances. It is the
cheapest and easiest type of bridge to build.
 Arch Bridge- abutments on each side of these bridges help to support the weight. The keystone is what the very
middle of the bridge is called. It is one of the oldest types of bridges.
 Suspension Bridge-Roadways on these bridges are hung or suspended from the top of the bridge. Most of these
bridges have trusses or triangles underneath that allow wind to pass through. These bridges are the most
expensive but can also be the longest.
Force and Mass
 Force- a push or a pull on an object.
o People, cars, and other vehicles apply force to bridges.
 Mass-how much matter is in an object. Often mass is found by weighing something.
o When building bridges engineers must consider the mass or weight of the objects that will travel across it.

Quiz Answers
Multiple Choice
1. D
2. C
3. A
4. B
Matching
1. B
2. C
3. A