This tutorial guides you through the process of designing and optimizing a truss bridge using the Bridge Designer 2016 software. The tutorial was created by Stephen Ressler, one of the authors of the software. You can download the Bridge Designer 2016 for free at http://bridgedesigner.org/. Happy designing!
STEM Learning Activity
Students will each have a computer and be given instructions on how to “build” a bridge on-line. The computer program (Engineering Encounters Bridge Design Contest – http://bridgecontest.org) will then test the strength of the bridge by simulating a truck driving over it.
Downloads
Engineering Encounters Bridge Design Contest Lesson Plan
Engineering Encounters Bridge Design Contest Lesson Plan developed by the STEM Industry School Partnerships (SISP) program. This contest was formerly known as the Westpoint Bridge Building Contest.
Stage 5 iSTEM Assessment Task - Westpoint Bridge Designer
Stage 5 iSTEM Assessment Task - Westpoint Bridge Designer
Westpoint Bridge Designer Specification Document
Westpoint Bridge Designer Specification document to be used in conjunction with the Stage 5 iSTEM Assessment Task.
Exemplar Assessment Task - Andria Zanotto
Exemplar assessment task for the Stage 5 iSTEM Westpoint Bridge Builder assessment task.
Videos
This tutorial guides you through the process of designing and optimizing a truss bridge using the Bridge Designer 2016 software. The tutorial was created by Stephen Ressler, one of the authors of the software. You can download the Bridge Designer 2016 for free at http://bridgedesigner.org/. Happy designing!
Links
Download links for the Engineering Encounters Bridge Building Contest
This software is free and is in the public domain. You may install it on as many computers as you like, and you may distribute it to others without asking permission.
Engineering Encounters Bridge Building Contest Tutorial Link
This tutorial will guide you through the creation and optimization of a truss bridge design using the Bridge Designer 2014.
Extension Activity: Build a Bridge from a Manila Folders
Designing and Building File-Folder Bridges: A Problem-Based Introduction to Engineering provides students with an opportunity to learn how engineers use math, science, and technology to design real structures–in the context of a hands-on model bridge-building project.
