Bridge Failure Essay

338 Words2 Pages
Omar Mario Awad AP Physics 5/1/12 Analysis of Bridge Failure After testing I was able to conclude that my bridge remained stable upon holding 200 times its own weight. This was the goal of the endeavor and thus I can say that my bridge was successful in fulfilling its purpose. However, when faced with the adversity of 600 times its own weight, the gallant bridge fell victim to the grasp of failure. In the accompanying blueprints I have circled, in purple, exactly what section of the bridge was least staunch. Reviewing the adjusted blueprints reveals that it was the base of the bridge which submitted to failure prior to any other portion. This is likely due to the fact that I, in a valiant effort to conserve weight, only used three shreds of wood to line the bridge horizontally at the base. I believe that using more wood would disperse the applied weight along the base and increase the efficiency of my dejected bridge. The winning bridge won precisely because it followed the above rationality. Apparently the victor, Eric Holmgren, was clairvoyant enough to have read my future thoughts and design a bridge with adequate horizontal base pieces. In fact, the triumphant bridge made use of two horizontal pieces within a 2-3 mm distance on each side. This constituted at least four horizontal base pieces. The bridge was also capable of distributing the applied weight evenly, in a manner such that each piece of wood or joint wouldn’t be subjected to hold an excessive amount of pressure. Unfortunately, this bridge was also shattered by weight applied and the corresponding downward force. So, if the goal was to hold a mere 200 times a bridge’s weight then all but one of us were successful. But, given that the above premise is true, if I am forced to admit failure then the winning bridge must be forced to as well; because, although I didn’t win, the aim was never
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