PastaBridgeComp

The object of the project is to design and build the lightest bridge capable of supporting the heaviest load when
weight is placed on a given span, using specified materials and guidelines.
All the guidelines you are to follow are listed below. Failure to adhere to measurements as given in the rules will
cause penalty points to be assigned to your bridge.

Materials:
(all are purchased by the construction team)
1.   Spaghetti or Linguine – the material samples needs to be submitted prior to construction for review and
    approval.
2. Elmer's white glue or a glue gun may be used.

Dimensions:
1.   Bridge will have a clear span of at least 6". This is the distance between the inside edges of the vertical supports.
2. The width of the roadbed must be 4” and no part of the structure can be above
    the roadbed
3. The clear height of the roadbed must be at least 3" above the ground.
4. The height of the bridge – from base to roadbed surface must be at least 3.5” but no more than 8”.
5. Length 7" to 12"

Rules:
1.   No alterations of the spaghetti are allowed, i.e. Cooking, filling with glue or any other materials, painting, etc.
2.   You may cut, bend, or break the spaghetti.
3.   The bridge may not exceed one-pound / 453.59 grams. Penalty points will be assigned to a team with a bridge
    that weights more than 1 pound.
4.   You may glue 2 strands of spaghetti (or linguine) together to form a single piece, but no more than 2 strands.
    This is referred to as double bonding.
5.   No other materials than the ones listed may be used.
6.   No “home made” spaghetti allowed.

Helpful tips:
1.   Use pasta made with semolina-
2.   Buy zip-lock bags to seal pasta up for the day/night
3.   When gluing bridge make sure it is square
4.   Research types of bridge designs
5.   Think outside of the box.
6.   Be open to suggestions from within your group.

Time frame:
1.   There will be teams of 3
2.   Teamwork is very important
3.   Creativity is also important (Look for loop holes in the directions) (they are there you just have to find them)
4.   Proper use of time is very important
5.   The bridge will be placed into a Bridge Loader and pressure will be applied along the roadbed. See the Testing
    section below

Grading Criteria:
1.   Groups are required to have a poster for display
2.   Groups are to have a technical document- format attached
3.   Bridges are to pass three tests. Weight of bridge- measurement- and compression.

Points to be awarded: (33 points per criteria listed below):
1.   Poster should include photos, team name, participants, teacher, date, class, and bridge design process.
    Tri-Fold poster board (36”X48” Max.).
2.   Students will be interviewed by three judges in categories 3, 4, and 5 (See Category section).
3.   The bridge criteria 11pts for weight of the bridge under 1lb (–11pts for over), measurements, 11pts for all within
    criteria, and minus 2pts for each item out of the limitations that are specified. The compression test will be the
    most difficult to grade- as this is the most subjective. You will calculate the weight of the bridge as it relates to
    compression

Categories:
1.   Efficiency* (= Maximum Load Supported / Mass of Bridge. In the event of a tie the lightest bridge will win.)
2.   Overall Strength (maximum applied load)
3.   Aesthetically Appealing (determined by the judges)
4.   Most unusual (determined by the judges)
5.   Best set of design and construction reports (determined by the judges)

Testing:
1.   The bridge will be placed on a platform and the load will be applied to the roadbed surface. That means that the
    roadbed surface needs to be flat and accessible from A wooden block 4" by 6" will be placed on the roadbed
    and the load will be applied to the wooded block.
3.   Load will be added in a continuous fashion until the bridge fails. Failure is defined as the inability of the bridge to
    carry any additional load without breakage, or with any part of the bridge displaying significant movement or
    signs of bridge instability.
4.   All construction requirements and dimensions will be checked prior to testing. Bridges, which do not meet them,
    will have penalty points assigned.
5.   The Winners in each category are determined as follows (all decisions are final):
          •    Design Competition – bridges will be ranked by the judges. Awards will be presented for:

               Most Original – which pushes forward the frontiers and explores innovative artistic and structural design.

               Classic Bridge Design – which demonstrates and truly celebrates, the rich heritage of bridge structure
               and design.

          •    Strength Competition – A designated person will load each bridge. The final Official Load is the
maximum                  load that the bridge withstood for a period of 10 seconds prior to destruction. The Official
Timekeeper
               provides timing. The winner is the legal bridge with the highest Official Load to bridge weight ratio.

          •    Best Overall of All Three Categories – Strength, Poster Presentation, and Student Interview.