Link to Ardrossan Academy main web site

A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railway line, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. Designs of bridges will vary depending on the function of the bridge and the nature of the terrain where the bridge is to be constructed.

The first bridges were made by nature, as simple as a log falling across a river. The first bridges made by humans were spans made of wooden logs or planks and eventually stones, using a simple support and crossbeam arrangement. Most of these early bridges were very poorly built and could rarely support heavy weights. It was this inadequacy which led to the development of better bridges. Now, technology allows for massive bridge building.

The Tallest Bridge in the World

The Millau Viaduct  is a large cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France. It is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, with one mast's summit at 343 metres (1,125 ft) — slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 38 m (125 ft) shorter than the Empire State Building.

The structures task below builds on the experience the pupils derived from the Tall Tower task.  They have to build a bridge from one sheet of A3 drawing paper which;

1. Spans the width of an A4 sheet.

2.  Is able to take an object with the height of 80mm under its span.  

3. Is tested to destruction with an increasing amount of weight.

The record is held by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with 2.1 kg.

The pupils had to consider;

1. Cross-section:-tube, box, L section?

2. Type:- Girder, arch, suspension, stay?

3. Strength, stability, bending, buckling, toppling and tipping.