Difference between revisions of "Build a Bridge with Popsicle Sticks"
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Bridges across the globe make up some of the most beautiful landmarks on this Earth. However, it would be quite impossible to bring them to the kitchen table. Luckily, with a few bridge building techniques, a few popsicle sticks, a creative mind, and a few other household items, you can now build a glorious bridge of your very own. | Bridges across the globe make up some of the most beautiful landmarks on this Earth. However, it would be quite impossible to bring them to the kitchen table. Luckily, with a few bridge building techniques, a few popsicle sticks, a creative mind, and a few other household items, you can now build a glorious bridge of your very own. | ||
| − | [[Category:Model Making]] | + | [[Category: Model Making]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*Yardstick or ruler | #*Yardstick or ruler | ||
#Ready your work space for action. Place a piece of cardboard or construction paper on a table or any other type of smooth, flat, level surface. Make sure that the size of your work space is large enough to accommodate the bridge you will be constructing by measuring out its rough dimensions against the area available on your work space. | #Ready your work space for action. Place a piece of cardboard or construction paper on a table or any other type of smooth, flat, level surface. Make sure that the size of your work space is large enough to accommodate the bridge you will be constructing by measuring out its rough dimensions against the area available on your work space. | ||
| − | #Decide on the kind of bridge you will make. There are several different kinds of bridge you can decide between, including suspension bridges, draw bridges, and truss bridges.<ref>http://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/types-of-bridges/</ref> Since a truss bridge uses triangles in its frame to support and strengthen its structural integrity, it is ideal for a popsicle stick bridge. | + | #Decide on the kind of bridge you will make. There are several different kinds of bridge you can decide between, including suspension bridges, draw bridges, and truss bridges.<ref name="rf1">http://www.historyofbridges.com/facts-about-bridges/types-of-bridges/</ref> Since a truss bridge uses triangles in its frame to support and strengthen its structural integrity, it is ideal for a popsicle stick bridge. |
| − | #*For the purposes of providing a guided example, the following model bridge will be built following the classic Warren truss bridge structure.<ref>http://ojhsbridges.weebly.com/truss-bridges.html</ref> | + | #*For the purposes of providing a guided example, the following model bridge will be built following the classic Warren truss bridge structure.<ref name="rf2">http://ojhsbridges.weebly.com/truss-bridges.html</ref> |
| − | #Imagine a blueprint for your bridge. A blueprint is a drawing that will serve as a plan for your design.<ref>http://www.thefreedictionary.com/blueprint</ref> Truss bridges can varying degrees of complexity, and you should investigate a few designs on your own before coming up with your design. Generally, a truss bridge has: | + | #Imagine a blueprint for your bridge. A blueprint is a drawing that will serve as a plan for your design.<ref name="rf3">http://www.thefreedictionary.com/blueprint</ref> Truss bridges can varying degrees of complexity, and you should investigate a few designs on your own before coming up with your design. Generally, a truss bridge has: |
#*Crosswise floor beams and struts. | #*Crosswise floor beams and struts. | ||
#*A deck, that forms the walkway or road of the bridge. | #*A deck, that forms the walkway or road of the bridge. | ||
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#*An external frame, composed of squares divided into triangles for better integrity. | #*An external frame, composed of squares divided into triangles for better integrity. | ||
#*Cross bracing forming an X along the top sections of the bridge. | #*Cross bracing forming an X along the top sections of the bridge. | ||
| − | #*Sway bracing beneath the top crosswise struts.<ref>http://www.brighthubengineering.com/structural-engineering/63635-truss-bridge-designs/</ref> | + | #*Sway bracing beneath the top crosswise struts.<ref name="rf4">http://www.brighthubengineering.com/structural-engineering/63635-truss-bridge-designs/</ref> |
#Draw your blueprint. Now that you have a general idea of the structure you're trying to build, as well as the tried and true essential parts of a truss bridge, you're ready to use your imagination. Take some time to sketch out your design. Don't worry too much about being true to life; your blueprint is a plan, not a perfect representation. | #Draw your blueprint. Now that you have a general idea of the structure you're trying to build, as well as the tried and true essential parts of a truss bridge, you're ready to use your imagination. Take some time to sketch out your design. Don't worry too much about being true to life; your blueprint is a plan, not a perfect representation. | ||
=== Constructing the Beams of the Truss === | === Constructing the Beams of the Truss === | ||
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#Lay out your trusses and allow the glue to set for a short while. If you are using hot glue, this won't take long, but by allowing the glue to fully dry, you can prevent yourself (or others) from knocking loose a popsicle stick from your truss. Other kinds of glue, like wood glue or general purpose glue, should be allowed to rest 10 to 15 minutes. | #Lay out your trusses and allow the glue to set for a short while. If you are using hot glue, this won't take long, but by allowing the glue to fully dry, you can prevent yourself (or others) from knocking loose a popsicle stick from your truss. Other kinds of glue, like wood glue or general purpose glue, should be allowed to rest 10 to 15 minutes. | ||
#*If, when you touch your glued truss, the bond feels weak, tacky, or loose, allow the glue to dry for another 15 minutes. | #*If, when you touch your glued truss, the bond feels weak, tacky, or loose, allow the glue to dry for another 15 minutes. | ||
| − | #Measure your cross supports for your truss. Use your pencil and yardstick or ruler to measure out regular intervals where you will support and connect your trusses with cross bracing popsicle sticks. For the purposes of this model, you will be using two sticks side by side in a W pattern.<ref>http://makezine.com/projects/make-36-boards/make-warren-truss-bridge-popsicle-sticks/</ref> | + | #Measure your cross supports for your truss. Use your pencil and yardstick or ruler to measure out regular intervals where you will support and connect your trusses with cross bracing popsicle sticks. For the purposes of this model, you will be using two sticks side by side in a W pattern.<ref name="rf5">http://makezine.com/projects/make-36-boards/make-warren-truss-bridge-popsicle-sticks/</ref> |
#*Another way to think of this: each line of the W pattern that will connect two trusses together represents two popsicle sticks laid side by side. | #*Another way to think of this: each line of the W pattern that will connect two trusses together represents two popsicle sticks laid side by side. | ||
#*The more bracing you have, the stronger your bridge will be. However, too many popsicle sticks might make it difficult to see anything move across the deck of your bridge. | #*The more bracing you have, the stronger your bridge will be. However, too many popsicle sticks might make it difficult to see anything move across the deck of your bridge. | ||
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#*If your popsicle sticks are too short, make a longer one. Cut two sticks and, with glue, join each by attaching another stick to the bottom for support. | #*If your popsicle sticks are too short, make a longer one. Cut two sticks and, with glue, join each by attaching another stick to the bottom for support. | ||
===Putting It All Together=== | ===Putting It All Together=== | ||
| − | #Unite the truss walls.<ref | + | #Unite the truss walls.<ref name="rf5" /> You may want to consider having a friend help you for this part of the bridge assembly, or you might use books to lean your trusses up against to make gluing more manageable. You should: |
#*Secure the first two deck cradle beams within the cross braces of the trusses at both ends of the bridge. | #*Secure the first two deck cradle beams within the cross braces of the trusses at both ends of the bridge. | ||
#*Use your glue to attach your cradle beams on the truss beam. Hold the glue firmly until it sets and is well bonded to the truss. | #*Use your glue to attach your cradle beams on the truss beam. Hold the glue firmly until it sets and is well bonded to the truss. | ||
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#Attach your deck, if desired. You may want to leave your deck loose, so that you can show off every aspect of your bridge's construction. However, if you want the deck connected to the cradle beams, simply add glue to the cradle beams and lay your deck into place. | #Attach your deck, if desired. You may want to leave your deck loose, so that you can show off every aspect of your bridge's construction. However, if you want the deck connected to the cradle beams, simply add glue to the cradle beams and lay your deck into place. | ||
#*Try to move quickly during this step, especially if using hot glue. It would be unfortunate if the glue dried before you were able to lay the deck into place. | #*Try to move quickly during this step, especially if using hot glue. It would be unfortunate if the glue dried before you were able to lay the deck into place. | ||
| − | #Add upper support beams.<ref | + | #Add upper support beams.<ref name="rf5" /> If you have long popsicle sticks, you can simply lay these across the top of the struts and then glue each into place. However, if your popsicle sticks aren't long enough, you may make longer ones. Cut a few and join these into a longer stick using a stick glued to the bottom as support. |
#*Equal distance spacing will give the appearance of the real thing. | #*Equal distance spacing will give the appearance of the real thing. | ||
