AECT 360 Structural Theory

Fall 2010
Final Project
Abstract:
Design a replacement bridge for the existing foot bridge located at the 9th hole of the Delhi Golf
Course. Draw the bridge and construct a fully-detailed physical model using realistic materials
at a scale of = 1-0. The existing bridge has an 80-0 span.
Design Criteria:

Bridge Span

Your bridge design MUST conform to the following:

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

New bridge span = 100-0 (i.e., face-to-face of concrete abutments)

Bridge walkway width = 8-0 (i.e., minimum unobstructed walkway)
River bed
No center supports (i.e., bridge MUST span completely over the river)
Concrete abutments at each end
Abutment/footing
Live Load = 50 PSF along entire bridge
Bridge Construction:
a. CANNOT be a beam type bridge
b. Maximum length of any single member = 20-0 (except tension cables and/or
tension rods)
c. Must have some type of truss at least 10-0 long with at least 12 members.
d. Must consider lateral bracing (i.e., diagonals under walkway)
e. Cannot use any concrete for bridge concrete is for abutments ONLY.
f. Connections of all members must be clearly indicated
g. No walls however, if a covered bridge design is used, must have totally
completed truss framing within removable wall panels.
h. Design must be original and CANNOT be the same or closely resembling the
existing bridge.

Submittals:
1) Proposal Prepare 1 2 page word-processed submittal explaining your proposed bridge
design. Must have at least 2 different 3D sketches of your bridge. These sketches may be
hand-drawn (using straight-edge) or, better yet, done using CAD or SketchUp. (DUE: At
beginning of Lecture Friday Oct. 29th) (Worth 5% of total project grade)
2) CAD Drawings (worth 20% of total project grade): (DUE: At beginning of regularlyscheduled Lab week of Dec. 6th) Provide fully-detailed, annotated and dimensioned 2D
drawings plotted on 11 x 17 bordered sheets including
a. Plan View (plotted at 1/8 = 1-0 scale),
b. Longitudinal Section up to bridge center line (plotted at = 1-0 scale)
c. Transverse Section (plotted at = 1-0 scale)
3) Physical Model Build and formally present a realistic physical model of the bridge,
(including abutments and approaches), at a scale of = 1-0. The model must use realistic
materials at realistic sizes and proportions as shown in your CAD drawings. You CANNOT
use foam core. You are encouraged to use store-bought materials such as balsa & bass
wood, plastic steel shapes, wire, metal, etc. Be prepared to spend some money on supplies,
perhaps as much as $100.00 or more if you want to have a well-built model! (DUE: At
beginning of regularly-scheduled Lab week of Dec. 6th) (Worth 75% of total project grade,
grade of ZERO for entire project if you do not show up and present your model.)