Bridges Webquest

You will need to use the internet resources to find the information.

Go to this PBS bridge website: http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm

  1. What are the 4 main factors used when describing a bridge?
    1. __________________
    2. ____________________
    3. ___________________
    4. ___________________
  2. A span is the method the bridge crosses between two sides of a river. DRAW each possible bridge span.
    1. SIMPLE SPAN
    2. CONTINUOUS SPAN
    3. CANTILEVER SPAN
    4. SUSPENDED SPAN
  3. Write a definition for each common surface configuration for travel across the bridge?
    1. Deck configuration:
    2. Pony Configuration:
    3. Through Configuration:

Go to the NOVA website . http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/build-bridge-p3.html

4. What materials can an Arch Bridge be made of?

5. What is 1 advantage to an Arch Bridge?

6. What is 1 disadvantage to an Arch Bridge?

7. Carefully draw and name the parts of an arch bridge.

 

Go to the PBS bridges page: http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm and look down the page through the many kinds of bridges:

8. What is a Truss bridge?

9.What are most Truss Bridges made of?

10. What is 1 advantage to a Truss Bridge?

11. What is 1 disadvantage to a Truss Bridge?

12. There are many different types of Truss Bridges. Here are 4 examples. Carefully draw an example of each of these Truss bridges .

  1. Long X Truss Bridge
  2. Pratt Truss Bridge
  3. Warren Truss Bridge
  4. Howe Truss Bridge

 

Go to the PBS bridge website. Use the link for each force. Move the animation .
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/forces.html

13. Define each force on a bridge and draw a diagram to show the direction of the forces applied.

  1. Compression:
  2. Tension:
  3. Bending:
  4. Shear:
  5. Torsion:

14. Why do engineers need to consider these forces when they are designing bridges?

15. What are structural engineers researching to help determine if a bridge is failing before any collapse happens?

 

Watch the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

16. Where is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge located?

17. What was finally determined as the cause for the bridge failure?

 

Look at this report on bridges in Maryland. http://www.artba.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Maryland-State-Bridge-Profile.pdf

18. What is the total number of bridges in Maryland?

19. What does the term "functionally obsolete" mean for bridges?

20. What does the term "structurally deficient" mean for bridges?

21. Where are most of the structurally deficient bridges in Maryland?

22. How many people drive across them each day?