Lesson title:  2D to 3D Truss Bridge Building

 Middle School: Bridge Building Constraints

[Note: A pdf version of this page is available; see navigation box on the right.]

Figure 1: From page 64 of Noyce, Pendred E, Engineering Bridges Connecting the World, Boston: Tumblehome, Inc., 2019

1. Must be freestanding
2. Bridge must not weigh more than __________*
3. Bridge must have a road that spans 8 inches long, 3 inches wide, and has guardrails on both sides of the bridge
4. May only use the provided resources
5. Budget must not exceed $5000
6. Must be able to support the weight of one or more of the following for 10 seconds without buckling
   1. Toy car (hot wheels)
   2. Four block erasers

*Must be as close to the chosen patented design as possible*

Budget Sheet:

Materials Fees

• Construction Paper: $10.25 per sheet  
• Scissors: $15 per scissors
• Tape: $5 per 2 meters
• Ruler: $10

 Construction Fees

• Labor Cost: $45 per person in group + $6.57 per minute worked

 Disposal Fee:

• Construction Paper: $5.27 per sheet returned
• Construction Paper: $2.50 per sheet portion of sheet returned practices fee
• Tape: $25 per roll returned

Activity Debrief:

Allow time for the students to discuss the activity and complete the reflection page.