In conjunction with the Praxis Society, the APEGGA Medicine Hat Branch is sponsoring a family project for National Science and Technology Week. Come join in as a judge or coach for the Great Paper Bridge Challenge (see below).
For more information and to confirm your attendance, please contact Gerard Klotz, P. Eng. at gklotz@mhc.ab.ca, or, 403.529.3971 by 4:00 pm Friday, October 16, 2009.
Great Paper Bridge Challenge
In honour of the 100th anniversary of the City of Medicine Hat’s Findlay Bridge (1908 – 2008), the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) Medicine Hat Branch is sponsoring the Great Paper Bridge Challenge.
Objective
To build a visually appealing truss bridge that can support the greatest amount of mass / weight. The bridge must span a “river” of at least 1.5 meters (60 inches) wide.
Materials
Newspapers – 35 double sheets [635 mm X 572 mm (25” X 22-1/2”)]
Masking Tape – 1 roll per team
Rules
1. Teams will have 35 minutes to build a free standing structure that is supported between two tables. No supports can stand up from the “water”, but the ends of the bridge may be taped to the tables.
2. The bridge must feature a clear 200 mm X 200 mm (8” X 8”) path for “traffic” and a place at the midpoint of the deck for a cardboard 250 mm X 200 mm (10” X 8”) loading platform.
3. Judging for visual appeal begins at the end of the time limit. A bonus mass / weight of 500 g (17 oz), decreasing in 100 gram (3.5 oz) increments, will be added for the most to least appeal. Only the top five mass / weight carrying bridges are eligible for the bonus.
4. The bridge with the largest combined loading capacity and visual appeal bonus wins gold followed by silver for second and bronze for third!
5. Clump bridges, with all of the materials wrapped together with tape, are not permitted. |
