LITERATURE REVIEW

Reference
In completing the project, we did a lot of calculations regarding the resultant force
and resultant couple of solid mechanics. Therefore, we have made a lot of reference
especially to R.C Hibbelers Engineering Mechanics : Mechanics of Materials
One of the areas where solid mechanics is potrayed in the project is beam loading.
The loads on a beam can be point loads, distributed loads, or varying loads. There can also be
point moments on the beam. In our design, we placed the loads on top of the bridge. Hence,
our modelled-bridge is subjected to distribution loads. The force is distributed evely along the
whole lenght of the bridge. Our objective is to determine the maximum amount of loads that
our design can hold before failure occur. At the same time, we are to design the lightest
bridge.
An engineering truss is essentially a type of frame designed to transmit loads in
structures to the supports. In this way the static loads (mass), and live loads (traffic, wind)
can be transmitted safely to the piers and abutments, which in turn transfer the loads to the
ground. Trusses were usually made of timber, iron, or steel. They are not as common as they
used to be because modern bridges tend to be steel box girder, post-stressed concrete, or
cable-stayed structures. A typical truss is made up of members that are joined together to
form triangular sections. Members of a truss may be in tension, compression, bending or
shear. There are a number of different ways in which members can be arranged to form a
truss, and over the years different arrangements have been assigned different names for ease
of identification. Truss types include the Lattice truss, the McDonald truss, the Allan truss,
the Pratt truss, the Whipple truss, the K truss, and the Warren truss.
In our construction, we design a bridge that is made of Warren and K truss and each
member are joined firmly by wood glue. During our testing, it can be seen that our modeledbridge can hold to a maximum load of 14.87 kg while the weight of our bridge is 0.366 kg.
Thus, the performance rating calculated is 45. This shows that the bridge can withstand or
carry 45 times amount of force of its overall weight.