Introduction to Structural Design

WEST POINT BRIDGE: 

How do we design the best bridge? Let's go on an Information Hunt, looking for clues.

Find the words and definitions in West Point Bridge Design HELP and fill in the blanks below.

1.      Click on HELP. Then select Help Topics.

2.      You can type the word you’re looking for, or scroll down.  Once you see the word, double click on the word you want to look up.

A.     Materials:

1.      Look up materials.  List the 3 different types of materials

2.      Scroll down to Notes and Tips. Read the section.

         List strength and expense for each type of material.

3.     

	Type of material	Strength (weak to strong)	Cost (least to most)
1.	Carbon Steel	Average
2.	High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel	Strong
3.	Quenched and Tempered Low-Alloy Steel	Strongest

B.     Cross-Sections

1. Go back to Index. Look up cross-section.  Choose Cross-Section from menu.  List the 2 different types of cross sections.
2. Go back to Index. Look up cross-section.  Choose the line that names the 2 cross section types. from the menu.
3. Look for the boxes that describe when it is most economical to use each type of cross section.

Type of cross section	Better to use for: (tension or compression)	Shown as what color (blue or red)
Solid	Tension	Blue
Hallow	Compression	Red

C.     Engineering Design Process: What are the steps?

1. Go back to Index. Look up engineering design process.  Choose The Engineering Design Process from the menu.
2. List the 7 steps.

1.      ____Identify the problem____________________

2.      ____define the problem____________________

3.      ___develop alternative solution_____________________

4.      ___Analyze and compare alternative solutions_____________________

5.      _select the best alternative_______________________

6.      __implement the solution______________________

7.      __evaluate the result______________________

How do we optimize our bridge design?

Let's go on an Information Hunt, looking for clues.

A.                  Find the How to Design a Bridge page from the help index.  What is the objective?

To satisfy all of the specifications.

B.                  Go to each step of the Design Process flowchart.  Read about the step, especially the Notes & Tips section.  Enter one important fact from each step.

¨     Select a Site Configuration

¨     Decide on a Truss Configuration

¨     Draw Joints

¨     Draw Members

¨     Load Test Your Design

¨     Strengthen All Unsafe Members

¨     Optimize the Member Properties

¨     Optimize the Shape of the Truss

¨     Find the Optimum Truss Configuration

¨     Find the Optimum Site Configuration

¨     Choose the Optimum Design

¨     Record Your Design