Name: Charlie Ziman
Project description: For my senior project I would like to create a model trussel/trestle bridge of steel. After I have built the bridge I plan to put colored bar lights on one side of the trestle. The lights will be colored blue for tension and red for compression. There will be a vehicle that goes across the bridge and as it goes it will flip switches. As each switch is flipped the lights will light up but at different intensities showing the forces applied and how the move as the vehicle travels across the bridge. Off to the side of the model will be a display explaining concepts such as the modulus of elasticity and forces with diagrams and example problems.
What is taught?: Math and physics concepts will be taught. Off to the side on a presentation board, Youngs modulus will explain how the bridge can only stand so much force before the materials start to deform and the bridge collapses. The board off to the side, will also explain and show the forces applied on the certain points labeled on the bridge along with the lights showing the forces on the truss and how the canceling out of the forces keeps the bridge from collapsing. Lastly I will explain, in simple terms why the shapes that are used are ideal for construction (triangles). The triangles cannot collapse like a square or diamond and triangles can only change shape if the sides change length or shape.
Week 1 Make plan view in Photoshop with descriptions and diagram circuitry
Week 2 Make collage to see what it will look like in its field and create proof model
Week 3 Create promotional poster in Photoshop and make detailed drawings
Week 4 Request and get steel, Cut to correct length, Weld together
Week 5 - Get lights, switches, and circuitry, Put lights on the bridge and create the preset circuits
Week 6 - Get vehicle track, Assemble and make last minute touches
Week 7 - Make presentation tools and sound recording
2 5ft steel
35 1ft steel
2 4ft steel
4 2ft steel
4 4in steel
(not sure about thickness, maybe 1 inch square tubing)
~10 switches
~42 red LED
~45 blue LED
(bright)
~87 resistors
batteries
3ft x 1 ft plexiglass x 1/8in thick
vehicle and track