Teacher Preview - Bridges

Bridges

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This STEM programming was made possible by the Virginia General Assembly for COVA STEM Hub for regional activities and programming.

These groups of friends have a problem. They want to get together each week to play pickle ball, but they live on opposite sides of the river.

No way! We are!

We are the best pickle ball players ever!

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Oh, we forgot to mention. This river has alligators.

I know.... Let's build a bridge!

That's what we said!

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They have decided to either swim across the river each week or build a bridge over the river. What do you think they should do?

Let's build a bridge!

Let's swim across!

Build a bridge.

Swim

The friends have made the wise decision to build a bridge. They would like to build a very basic bridge. Of the bridges shown below, select the one that is simply a horizontal beam (or beams) supported from below. .

Let's build a very simple bridge!

Yes! A beam bridge is the simpliest kind of bridge. A beam bridge is a bridge that uses a straight, horizontal beam to support weight and span across obstacles like roads or small rivers.

Select the beam bridge.

The load on a bridge is the total weight it must carry, including both its own weight and the weight of anything on it.

Select the arrow that represents the downward force of the load on the bridge.

The load of the bridge exerts a downward force onto its supports.

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Load

Choose one of the arrows that represents how the bridge's load is pushing down on the supports.

The load on a bridge is distributed across its entire length. This causes the top section of the beam to undergo compression, meaning it's pushed together under the weight.

Load

Select an arrow that represents the compression force, which is when the beam bridge gets squeezed or pushed together.

The lower portion of the beam undergoes tension, which means it experiences a pulling or stretching force.

Load

Compression Force

Select one of the arrows that represents the tension force, which is when the beam bridge gets pulled or stretched apart.

5 Question Challenge! Use what you've learned so far to answer the 5 questions correctly. If you do not get all 5 questions correct, you can try again!

Load

Compression Force

Bridge Types Review

Tension Force

Question 1

What kind of bridge is this?

beam bridge

truss bridge

arch bridge

suspension bridge

You did not get all 5 questions correct. That's ok! You can try again.

Load

Compression Force

Bridge Types Review

Tension Force

Question 1

Compression Force

What kind of bridge is this?

beam bridge

truss bridge

arch bridge

suspension bridge

Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 2

What term refers to the total weight a bridge must carry?

compression

load

tension

shear

Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 2

What term refers to the total weight a bridge must carry?

compression

load

tension

shear

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Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 3

True or False? The force exerted by the load is distributed across the entire length of the bridge.

false

true

Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 3

True or False? The force exerted by the load is distributed across the entire length of the bridge.

false

true

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Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 4

What type of force causes the top of this bridge to squish together?

compression

magnetic

tension

friction

Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 4

What type of force causes the top of this bridge to squish together?

compression

magnetic

tension

friction

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Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 5

What type of force causes the bottom of this bridge to pull apart?

compression

magnetic

tension

friction

This beam bridge seems to be doing a pretty great job of supporting the weight of the people. But what happens when a car drives over the bridge?

Select the car.

Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

Question 5

What type of force causes the bottom of this bridge to pull apart?

compression

magnetic

tension

friction

You did it! You got all 5 questions correct!

Great work!

Load

Compression Force

Tension Force

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Oh no! This bridge is not strong enough to hold the load of the car!

Select the crack that has formed in the bridge.

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Let's try another kind of bridge design that's stronger than the beam bridge!

We need a stronger bridge!

Select a bridge that is similar to the beam bridge but incorporates additional support on top of the bridge in the form of triangular structures.

Truss bridges use a lot of triangles in their design. Triangles are super strong shapes and help spread out the load across the entire bridge. This makes the bridge stronger and helps it stay up, even when heavy cars or trucks are driving across it.

Select an arrow that represents a compression (push together) force on the truss bridge.

You've got the idea!The red arrows pointed toward each other respresent the compression (pushing together) force.

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Select an arrow that represents a tension (pulling apart) force on the truss bridge.

The truss bridge makes it possible for these friends to get together for many pickle ball games!

While they play, let's compare four common types of bridges!

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Beam Bridge

Like shown previously, a beam bridge is a simple bridge made of a horizontal beam supported by columns or piers.They are easy to construct and cost-effective for shorter distances.

Select one of the arrows that represents a tension (pull apart) force on the beam bridge.

Truss Bridge

Like the truss bridge the pickle ball players built, this truss bridge uses interconnected triangular structures called trusses to support heavy loads and span across obstacles.

Select one of the triangle shaped trusses on the truss bridge.

Arch Bridge

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An arch bridge uses curved arch shapes to evenly distribute weight and support heavy loads. People choose to build arch bridges because they are sturdy, can span wide obstacles like rivers, and add beauty to the landscape.

Select one of the arrows that represents the compression force around the curve of the arch.

Suspension Bridge

A suspension bridge uses strong cables and vertical suspenders to support the bridge deck.Suspension bridges are chosen for their ability to span long distances and carry heavy loads.

Select the one of the vertical suspenders that connect the main cables to the bridge deck.

Select the truss bridge.

Beam Bridge

Arch Bridge

Truss Bridge

Nice! Let's try another!

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Suspension Bridge

Select the suspension bridge.

Beam Bridge

Truss Bridge

Suspension Bridge

Continue

You're on a roll!

Arch Bridge

Select the beam bridge.

Beam Bridge

Fantastic!

Continue

Suspension Bridge

Truss Bridge

Arch Bridge

Select the arch bridge.

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Arch Bridge

Beam Bridge

Well done!

Continue

Suspension Bridge

Truss Bridge

Awesome work learning about bridge load, suspension and tension forces, and four common types of bridges!

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Keep an eye out for all sorts of bridges! Many of them mix together parts from the four types of bridges you've just learned about.

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