BUILDING STRUCTURE [ARC 2522] PROJECT 1: Fettucine Truss

PROJECT 1: FETTUCCINE TRUSS BRIDGE
GROUP: B2

The purpose of this project was to understand the basic compression and tension strength of materials used in construction. By utilizing raw fettuccine as proposed material; we managed to comprehend how forces are distributed in a truss system and its behaviour with various materials as joining material. The challenge was to produce a fettuccine bridge which was both visually appealing and yet exploiting minimal material. To best achieve this goal; we made use of the following materials:

• Raw Fettucine
• Hot Glue Gun
• UHU glue
• Double Sided tape

the bridge was required to have a clear span of 600mm and support at least 5kgs before succumbing to the load.

Throughout our design study and analysis on truss bridge, we have conclude that in order to avoid any bending stresses, vertical posts are added with four layers to provide strength when joined with the diagonal members.

Figure 7 & 8: The Vertical Posts and Diagonal Members of our prototype model.

For an improved strength and ability, we have added more diagonals and posts to cover a

larger span to avoid any further bending stresses on a truss bridge.

Figure 8 & 9: Larger span of the diagonal members and vertical posts of our prototype model.

The images above show how the bridge fails by collapsing at the center of the arch.

While the load has to be distributed evenly, the concentration of the angular-arched

fettuccine bridge has a focal point of both tension and compression acting at its centre.

Hence, the bridge breaks into two, while only a few diagonal bracings snap as well as

the cross ‘x’ bracings. Thus, the other members are still intact and remained in their full

form of module.

Conclusion

Throughout Project 1, the truss analysis exercise on reaction forces gave us an understanding on whether the members are statically determinate. Whereas, the construction of the truss bridge provided us an experiment as well as clear understanding on analysing tension and compression to attain a good efficiency of the fettuccine bridge.

The arch like design of the bridge which inclined towards the centre made the centre weaker than the rest; hence it is observed that the middle of the bridge collapsed. This experiment allowed us to recognize the importance of choosing a suitable truss arrangement in different circumstances in relation to its surroundings. It also enabled us to maintain a balance between creativity and efficiency when designing the bridge.