Bridge Building, Tension, and Compression

Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.

Stability is key when building a bridge. Scholars explore the forces acting upon bridges through an analysis of Newton's Laws and Hooke's Law. The activity asks individuals to apply their learning by building a bridge of their own.

Large or small, bridges are architectural wonders! Construct a large-scale cable-stayed bridge during a whole class project. Scholars work in groups to erect the towers, build the roadway, and secure the cables of their very own bridges....

Build a bridge to bridge the connection between the abstract and the concrete. The seventh installment of an 11-part unit on architecture has teams build a bridge out of Popsicle sticks that spans the greatest distance while supporting a...

Emerging engineers perform pre-lab calculations in this first of a three-part instructional activity on model building. They determine the forces of tension and compression in a truss. After completion of the worksheet, pupils will draw...

Bridges rely on tension and compression to keep them standing. Pairs test this principle by constructing simple bridges and applying a force to the center. Teams use the provided worksheet to record their observations of the reaction of...

The London Bridge should not have fallen down. And here's why. After a brief history of bridges and the three main types, class members are introduce to the concepts of tension and compression, the two main forces acting upon bridges. 

Pupils examine a stress-strain diagram that compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two common bridge building materials, concrete and steel. The also consider the factors that influence the materials builders choose for their...

Pairs work as engineering teams to design and build model bridges from drinking straws and tape. In this third segment in a series of 10, teams compete in an attempt to build the strongest bridge. To help with the design, the groups...

Students construct bridge and roof models to illustrate tension and compression. In this engineering and forces lesson, students watch videos and view diagrams of engineered structures. They apply their understanding of tension and...