CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

BRIDGE DESIGN PROJECT

Your team is competing with X others for the contract to design and build a new bridge in a high-
profile location. The client placing the order will be visiting today and your team has been asked to
develop a model to demonstrate your proposed design. The client will judge the competing designs
on the basis of:
¾ The maximum load it can support at mid span
¾ The maximum load divided by the weight of the bridge (a measure of efficient use of materials)
¾ Aesthetic appeal
1 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
The bridge must span a gap of 1.0 m
The deck (walkway) width must be 0.1 m minimum
The bridge must be of a single span design
The bridge may be rigidly fixed to one side of the gap only

2 MATERIALS
Thick cardboard sheet 1.2 m x 0.7 m approx. 1 off
Thin cardboard sheet 1.0 m x 0.8 m approx. 1 off
A4 paper unlimited within reason
String not to be used for lashings
Masking tape for tube manufacture only
Nuts and bolts

3 EQUIPMENT
Scissors General tool kit
Hole punch Hot glue gun
Tube roller Note book

4 PROJECT PROGRAMME
0.00 Introduction to Design Task
0.10 Introduction to Bridge Design
0.30 Design Session
1.10 Construction Session
3.10 Test Session
3.30 Close

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The cardboard used in this project has been generously donated by
SCA Packaging Ltd.
Villa Road
Histon
Cambridge
CB4 9PA

September 1, 2004 GTP