West Point Bridge Design

Hey,
Found a nifty free software package from West Point (Military Academy). From what I have seen on this site (Mysteries...) I think most of you will find it a neat challenge. I would like to use this discussion for people who want to compare notes.

http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/download.htm

Tags: collapses, cool, engineering, mathematics

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Permalink Reply by Marti on March 31, 2008 at 8:50pm: You want us to design bridges? As in something that won't collapse at the first car? Hmmmm. How complicated is this project before I go downloading yet another app. Does it require mathematics? My doctor said I'm not allowed to use mathematics - my brain might explode. He said if I feel the urge to use mathematics, I should lie down until it passes.

Tell us more about this.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Doug on March 31, 2008 at 9:21pm: You can use math, but it starts out more or less intuitivly. It is designed for high school students so it is not complex. Also, you drive trucks across to test it. The total program with supporting files goes in to a directory in the"programs" folder, uses a total of 4.03 MB. Saved designs use about 1K.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marti on March 31, 2008 at 10:03pm: OK, I'm in.

Who else? Come on, guys, don't leave me hanging out here all alone. Doug, I assume you are doing this?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garooch on April 7, 2008 at 8:43pm: No math needed; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garooch on March 31, 2008 at 10:11pm: Are you talking about actually entering the contest? Keep in mind that we will be competing with 13 year olds, so we don't really have a chance.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Doug on March 31, 2008 at 10:18pm: I don't think any of us would be eligible, but it is fun to build bridges, test them, and then see how low you can get the costs without them collapsing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garooch on March 31, 2008 at 10:45pm: For fun, I'm in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Doug on April 1, 2008 at 4:00pm

For those who are interested, here is an extremely ugly bridge (attached) with a pretty low cost. I don't know what the cheapest is, but I got this whittled down quite a bit.

Attachments:

MyDesign002a.bdc, 1 KB

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Permalink Reply by Marti on April 6, 2008 at 8:12pm: Doug, I can't open your file. Do I have to download that app to view it?

All right, all right, I'm downloading the program. This had better be fun. I get cranky if things aren't fun. Just ask my ex-husband. The last one; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garooch on April 6, 2008 at 9:57pm: Well I was able to build one, but $400k rather than the $200k for the one above. I like the little truck going across. My first attempt must have been a bridge in Minnapolis.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Doug on April 6, 2008 at 10:21pm: My first ones were up there too, but when you see the red and blue with the truck crossing, you can modify and/or remove some supports and make others thinner (if they are pale blue or red). I would like to see your bridge if you can attach it.; ▶ Reply to This