FETTUCCINE TRUSS BRIDGEPROJECT ONE

BUILDING STRUCTURES (BLD61003104845-M)

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN

TUTOR: MR. MOHD. ADIB RAMLI

CHONG CHUI WERN 0321359

GOH YEN NEE 0315551

PATRICIA KONG WENG YEE 0315837

SIEW JOHN LOONG 0315871

TING JIN RONG 0318269

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 – INTRODUCTION02 – METHODOLOGY

02.1 – PRECEDENT STUDY

02.2 – MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TESTING

02.3 – MODEL MAKING

02.4 – STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

02.5 – BRIDGE EFFICIENCY CALCULATION

03 – PRECEDENT STUDY03.1 – BACKGROUND HISTORY

03.2 – STRUCTURE

03.3 – JOINTS

04 – MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT04.1 – MATERIALS

04.2 – EQUIPMENT

05 – BRIDGE TESTING AND LOAD ANALYSIS05.1 – PROGRESSION TIMELINE

05.2 – FIRST BRIDGE

05.3 – SECOND BRIDGE

05.4 – THIRD BRIDGE

05.5 – FOURTH BRIDGE

06 – FINAL BRIDGE06.1 – AMENDMENTS

06.2 – FINAL MODEL MAKING

06.3 – JOINT ANALYSIS

06.4 – FINAL BRIDGE TESTING AND LOAD ANALYSIS

06.5 – CALCULATIONS

06.6 – DESIGN SOLUTION

07 – CONCLUSION08 – APPENDIX

08.1 – CASE STUDY 1

08.2 – CASE STUDY 2

08.3 – CASE STUDY 3

08.4 – CASE STUDY 4

08.5– CASE STUDY 5

09 – REFERENCES

01 – INTRODUCTION PROJECT INTENTION AND REQUIREMENTS

This project requires us to build and design a truss bridge made out of fettuccine. Distributed into a group of 5, the fettuccine bridge must be very efficient thus it has to withstand the most weight using little material used with a clear san of 350mm and a maximum weight of 70g. We are required to investigate and understand the compressive and tensile strength of the construction materials of the bridge. As there are various types of truss bridges and types of binders used, a research analysis was made to carry out our precedent studies. This is in order for us to understand and choose the best one for the bridge. As the project progresses, we are able to identify the best type of truss system and having more knowledge on making it withstand heavy loads with the used of less materials.

AIM OF THE PROJECT

The aim of the project is to develop an understanding of tension and compression in the bridge and also the understanding of force distribution in a truss. Other than that, it aims the students to design a perfect truss bridge which has high efficiency and has minimal construction materials.

REPORT OVERVIEW

The report started off with a series case of various precedent case study on a truss bridge. The number of members will be jotted down and the load distribution will be analyzed. We will use different types of design patterns of the bridge and test it out for recordation in order for us to find out which is the suitable design for the final bridge. Many test were carried out in order to record the maximum strengths one bridge could withstand and the development of the bridge will then be recorded and improved once the testing of one bridge reaches its limitation. As the test progresses, the efficiency of the bridge will also increase thus analysing the strength of the bridge in each tests without reasons of failure were also recorded. At the end of the report, our individual case studies alongside with our calculations will be presented.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this project, students will be able to: Able to evaluate, explore and improve attributes of construction materials Explore and apply understanding of load distribution in a truss Able to evaluate and identify tension and compression members in a truss structure Explore different arrangement of members in a truss structure

02 – METHODOLOGYMethodology

There are several methods that have been carried out whilst in the process of researching and building a suitable truss bridge.

02.1: Precedent Study

By reading through several precedent studies, we gain an understanding on the types of trusses of a bridges. For our case study, we have chosen the 127th Street Bridge as a reference for our project. The 127th Street Bridge has a unique arrangement and thus we chose it as it gives us an inspiration on our design and truss member design for our final fettuccine bridge. Further exploration and findings about the bridge will be explained elaborately later in the Precedent Study section later.

02.2: Materials and Equipment Testing

Many experiments were carried out on different types of fettuccine brands in order to examine its tension and compression strength before making the final selection of fettuccine brand for our truss bridge. The fettuccine brand San Remo was eventually used as the final fettuccine brand as its strength is the best among the other brands. Several types of adhesive were also tested out and an observation on how they affect the joints were also recorded. In the end, the 3 – second glue is used.

02.3: Model Making

The model making process was an on – going one as we have several tries on different designs of the bridge in order to achieve high efficiency. We revised and improvised the bridge after every load testing experiment. A total of ___ bridges with various designs were built throughout this project. After each test, the strength of the bridge is maintained and the weakness is isolated and is further developed. Here are the steps in which we have done whilst making the model of the bridge.

Step 1: Understanding the characteristics of the Fettuccine

Step 2: Choose the correct adhesive agent

Step 3: Draw and scaled the bridge truss design in AutoCad and printed out for experimental purposes

Step 4: The Fettuccine bridge is built according to the scaled drawing and was position to test its strength and weaknesses

Step 5: The test of the model was carried out

02.4: Structural Analysis

Structural analysis is the determination on the effects of the load on the bridge and its members by calculations.

02.5: Bridge Efficiency Calculation

The efficiency of the bridge tested is calculated using the formula:

Efficiency , E=Maximum Load

Weight of bridge

03 – PRECEDENT STUDYPrecedent Study127th Street Bridge

Characteristics:

- Impressively tall, heavily skewed bridge

- Total length: 185.53m

- Main span: 122.77m

- Function as: Road Bridge

History

The 127th Street Bridge was built in early 1900s and at that time, it was an iron bridge. In

1903, it was destroyed by a flood and was rebuilt at the cost of $75,000. The bridge was

rebuilt again on 1923 under a judge order and it was reopened in 22 April, 1926.

At 1940, a fire damaged the center span of the bridge. The wooden floor of the bridge is

destroyed and fell into the bridge. It was reopened after being rebuilt in a year.

There are some problems with the bridge substructure. So the thru-truss was removed and

replaced with a girder in 2000. It is located in between the 7th Street Traffic Way Bridge and

the 18th Street Expressway Bridge over the Kansas River.

Truss bridge Under the bridge

Top

chord connection Bracing connection

Diagonal Members

Vertical members Expansion joint

Location of 127th Street Bridge

Warren Bridge

127th Street Bridge is one of the example of a warren truss with verticals. A Warren truss is

a support structure used in different constructions to support a load. It uses equilateral

triangles to spread out the loads of the bridge. Commonly, Warren bridge is used

extensively in bridges as well as residential and public works designs.

The diagonals of the bridge carry both compressive and tensile forces while the verticals

serve as bracing for triangular web system. The equilateral triangles minimize the force to

only compression and tension. For example, if a car moves across the bridge, the forces for

a member change from compression to tension.

When the load is focused on the middle of the bridge, pretty much all the forces are larger.

The top and bottom chord are under large forces, even though the total load is the same.

04 – MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT04.1: MATERIALS

Type of fettuccine

Manipulated Type of brand Responding Ability to withstand load for 10 secs

Fixed Length =150mm, clear span= mm, no. of layer =Brand Load withstand/g Cross section of

fettuccineKimball 150

San Remo 200

Conclusion = San Remo is lighter and stronger which suitable to use for the making of fettuccine bridge

Adhesive test

Manipulated Type of adhesiveResponding Ability to withstand load for 10 secsFixed Length = 120 mm, clear span= 100 mm, no. of layer = 3*V = vertical, H = horizontal

Adhesive Water/g500 750 1000 1250

V H V H V H V H3 Sec Glue / / / / / / X X

Elephant glue / X / X / X X XUHU glue / X X X X X X X

Conclusion = Using of 3 sec glue in making the bridge is the strongest that could withstand more load

Fixed Length = 250 mm, clear span= 200 mm, no. of layer = 4, water = 500g

Manipulated Type of adhesive*V = vertical, H = horizontal

Adhesive V H3 Sec Glue / /

Elephant glue / XUHU glue X X

Conclusion =3 Sec Glue create stronger bond in vertically and horizontally form in a longer span.

Layering Test with Different Clear Span

Fixed Length = 250 mm, adhesive = 3 sec glue, load (water) =500 gManipulated

No. of layers

*V = vertical, H = horizontalNo. of layers Clear Span, mm

50 100 150 200V H V H V H V H

2 X X X X X X X X3 / X / X / X X X4 / / / / / / / /

Conclusion = Higher clear span increases number of layers needed to support the load

Layering Test with Different Load

Fixed Length = 200 mm, clear span = 150mm, adhesive = 3 sec glue Manipulated

No. of layers

*V = vertical, H = horizontalNo. of layers Water/g

200 400 600 800V H V H V H V H

2 / / X X X X X X3 / / / / X X X X4 / / / / / / / X

Conclusion = Higher number of layers can withstand more load of water

I Beam Test

Fixed Length = 250 mm, clear span = 200mm, adhesive = 3 sec glue Manipulated

No. of layers of I beam

*V = vertical, H = horizontalNo. of layers Water/g

500 750 1000 1250 1500V H V H V H V H V H

I beam 1 :1 :1

/ / X X X X X X X X

I beam 1 : 3: 1

/ / / / / / X X X X

I beam2: 1:2

/ / / / / / / / / /

I beam2:2 :2

/ / / / / / / / / /

Fixed Length = 250 mm, clear span = 200mm, adhesive = 3 sec glue Manipulated

No. of layers of I beam

*V = vertical, H = horizontalNo. of layers Water/g

1750 2000 2250 2500 2750V H V H V H V H V H

I beam 1 :1 :1

X X X X X X X X X X

I beam 2:1 :2

X X X X X X X X X X

I beam2: 2:2

/ / / / / / / X X X

I beam1: 3: 1

/ / / / / / / / / X

Conclusion = I Beam with thicker layers of different ratio in a vertically position could withstand a larger amount of load

04.2: EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

San Remo Fettucine Kimball Fettucine Compression Balance

3 Sec Glue

3 Sec Glue Elephant Glue

Plastic

Bag Cutter Scissors

During the experiment, we had tested using two types of fettucine which are the San

Remo and Kimball and three types of glues which are the 3 Sec Glue, Elephant Glue and

Uhu Glue to find out the best fettucine and glue for building a bridge. Plastic bag is used to

fill up with different volume of water as loads to test the strength of the fettucine while the

compression balance is used to measure the weight of the water. Meanwhile, cutter and

scissors are used to cut out the extensive part of the fettucine respectively.

05 – BRIDGE TESTING AND LOAD ANALYSIS05.1: Progression Timeline

Date Work Progress3.4.2016 Research and discuss on the

different types of trusses Precedent study findings

8.4.2016 Exploration of materials Tests done on the capabilities of

strength of the different types of fettuccine

First group discussion

9.4.2016 Test on strength of fettuccine using different types of layers (E.g.: 1 layer, 2 layers, 3 layers, etc.)

I – beam’s strength test Test the strength of adhesive used

10.4.2016 Calculate the 5 case studies in order to find the most efficient truss

Discuss more on truss building

12.4.2016 Selected a truss and explore various ways on building it

Test with certain height, width and number of layering + I – beams used

15.4.2016 First bridge testing Observe result and discuss on ways

to improve and spot the weak points of the bridge

17.4.2016 Discussion on improvement of bridge

21.4.2016 Second bridge testing Discussion on improvement of

bridge

30.4.2016 Third bridge testing Discussion on improvement of

bridge

7.5.2016 Fourth and final bridge testing Discussion on improvement of

bridge Proceed to making the actual bridge

05.2: First Bridge

Based on the chosen precedent study and our research findings, we have chosen Warren Truss with vertical elements as our bridge truss. We then proceed into building the first bridge using a constant height, width and length but a different method of arranging the truss and bracings.

05.2.1: Truss

Calculations: MaximumLoadWeight of bridge=

200070 =28.57%

Observations: The I-beam breaks and it is not strong enough. The top layer of the bridge is slanted and moved off from the bridge. The layers of I-beam are increased for the second bridge while make the top layer to be strong and stick well in all part of the bridge

05.3: Second Bridge

05.3.1: Truss

Calculations:MaximumLoadWeight of bridge=

400070

=¿57.14%

Observations: The centre of the bridge to hold the hook is not strong enough and it breaks first. Next, the side layers of the bridge is not considered strong and it breaks immediately after the middle support of the hook. The middle support is increased with few layers in closer position and the side of the layer is positioned in another way while increase the number of layers for the third bridge.

05.4: Third Bridge

05.4.1: Truss

Calculations:MaximumLoadWeight of bridge

=¿ 4500

68 =66.18%

Observations: The Bridge can have a better support compared to the third bridge. However, the bridge is totally breaks into half but the each side of the bridge is still mostly remained well. The layers of the centre of the bridge are further increased to reach the maximum potential while increased the layers of the bridge.

05.6: Fourth Bridge

05.6.1: Truss

Calculations efficiency: MaximumLoadWeight of bridge=

650071 =91.55%

Observations: The bridge is getting stronger compared those previous one with the help of vertical and side end of I beam in the bridge. It could support more weight that with minor break of the middle support of hook and little break on the side end as shown in the pictures above. It also over 1g weight that not fulfil the requirement of the project so we decided to cut down the height of the bridge for the final bridge to decrease the weight.

06 – FINAL BRIDGE06.1: Amendments

Overall, we have built 5 warren bridges using fettuccini. Each of the bridges contain

difference weakness which cause it to breaks or bends. For the first bridge, the I-beam

breaks immediately as it is not strong enough. The top layer of the bridge is slanted and it

breaks the bridge. The layers of I-beam are increased for the second bridge which makes

the top layer of the bridge stronger.

For the second bridge, the centre part which holds the hook breaks as it is not strong

enough to sustain the heavy load. Meanwhile, the side layers of the bridge are considered

as weak as it breaks right after the centre layers of the bridge . The middle support is

increased with few layers in smaller gaps while the side of the layer is positioned in another

way. The number of layers of the bridge are increased for the fourth bridge.

For the third bridge, it has better support than its predecessor. However, the bridge

breaks into half but still, each side of the bridge is still mostly remained well. The centre

layers of the bridge are further increased to reach its maximum potential.

For the fourth bridge, the vertical supports and both end of side bracings are not

strong enough. There are too much glues on the model which makes it fragile as well. It is

too light to withstand more load.

For the fifth bridge, the bridge is stronger compared its predecessors with the help of

vertical and side end of I beam in the bridge. It can support more weight with minor break at

the middle support of hook and at the side end.

06.2: Final Model Making

06.3: Joint Analysis

Joining pattern or method in bridge building is an extremely important role as the method and quality of the joint will directly affect the efficiency of the bridge. All of the joints are tested and studied in order to achieve the maximum potential of the joining. As a result, different parts of the bridge requires different types of joints to ensure that the bridge sustain the load effectively.

06.4: Final Bridge Test and Load Analysis

After the final bridge testing, we took back the broken pieces and analysed it. At the end, we concluded that the failure which occurred on the bridge is the bottom of the horizontal member bended seriously that causes the bridge to break.

Through our analysis, we found out that the there are two main reasons that cause the bridge to break. First, it is the craftsmanship plight. We noticed that some parts of the bridge were not glued properly.

The second reason that causes the bridge to break is when the load increases, the force acting on the bridge increases as well. As the load applied until 8.5kg, tension and compression forces acting on the vertical members of the bridge cannot take any extra loads anymore. It bends and breaks off.

06.5: Calculations

Efficiency of the final bridge= 823070 =117.57%

06.6: Design Solution

After various experiments on the bridges, we had come up with a solution that would

increase the efficiency of the bridge to a higher extend. In order to increase the efficiency,

additional bracings are added to the bottom of the bridge. This helps to balance the

distribution force more and also to stabilize the bridge better.

The reason of connecting the member to each of the second joint is that it helps balance

the load distribution force more evenly. This is due to the analysis we had throughout the

whole bridge testing as we conclude that the middle part of the bridge would always be the

weaker part and the vertical member of the bridge broke due experiencing high forces.

07 – CONCLUSIONBy the end of this project, we had constructed a total of 7 bridges in order to achieve the

highest efficiency in withstanding loads. We chose Warren Truss with vertical elements as

not only it is aesthetically appeasing as we have seen from our precedent studies' bridge

but it is also strong as all vertical members were connected to the bracing thus making the

distribution force even.

Our final model achieved the highest efficiency among the previous tested bridge which we

have made. The bridge, achieving an efficiency of 117.57E with a total load of 8230g (8764g if included the pail's weight) with having a total weight of 70g itself. By testing

the ridges during this whole project, it helped us all understand more on the load distribution

in a peculiar structure. Calculations of the efficiency and the type of force that was applied

on each of the structural members of the bridge shows us the importance of identifying the

force (tension/compression/zero/critical) in the members as to achieve a high efficiency

bridge design.

For this project, we had also experimented with various truss and beam designs in order to

select the best one for our bridge. Aside from that, we come to learn the importance of the

bracing members be it vertical or horizontal. We layered extras on the beams to strengthen

its ability to compress and tense. All the connecting joints were made precisely and

accurately as we had built the bridge based on the computer aided drawing that we had

prepared. The members were evenly smoothen using a sand paper in order to prevent

gaps while connecting it with one another.

As a conclusion, it was a great experience working on the project. This project really

requires the time and patience in building the bridges as we had to go through several trial

and errors in order to achieve the best result. Although the process of building the bridges

were long and tedious, it was fun when one does it with the company of the others and on

top of that it never fails to amaze us of how such thin layers of fettuccines can withstand

that amount of weight. We have learnt quite a big deal on ways to create a proper structural

design and we will definitely use it as a guide in designing and creating a proper building for

future projects.

08 – APPENDIXPictures taken during the process of making the bridges.

09– REFERENCES1. 127th Street Bridge. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from

https://bridgehunter.com/il/cook/16057004242/

2. 127th Street Bridge (Crestwood, 1968) | Structurae. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016,

from https://structurae.net/structures/127th-street-bridge

3. 127th Street Bridge. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from

http://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=illinois/127th/

4. Ching, Francis D.K. (2008) Building Construction Illustrated Fourth Edition.

New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

5. Building Structures - Fettucine Bridge. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from

http://www.slideshare.net/nadiacbass/building-structures-fettucine-bridge

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmy8m6cgVuw