For our freshman design project, we decided to build a model bridge using Popsicle sticks. The goal of the project is that we should be able to build a Pratt Truss bridge that would hold about 100 pounds of weight load from the center point. The length of the bridge is 25 inches, which is satisfied with our mentor’s requirement for the project. The weight of the bridge would be approximately .5 pounds. One of the challenges facing this project is that we will have to have an efficient load of 100 pounds from very simple materials and minimized cost. Specifically, material required to build this bridge is standardized popsicles (4.5in x 9/16in x 1/12in). Also, we will use Visual Analysis to test the geometry of a Pratt truss structure and understand how it distributes the load within the geometry. At the end (after testing) we will calculate the efficiency of the model bridge (actual weight the model bridge load divided by 100lbs ) and see how it compares to other Pratt Truss designs.

Our model bridge will base on this concept of Popsicles sticks and Pratt Truss.