Bridge Reports

We all had a go at designing and building our own bridges.  Have a look at them.  Aren't they terrific?  We also wrote reports about them.

 

Bridges Report

Introduction:

We started to build our bridges because we were learning about bridges.  We knew what each bridge looked like because we went on a walk to see them.  I made a plan to make a bream bridge but it had to have something pretty on it so it would look good.

Design:

My design is a tied arch bridge.  Now it looks like the Fairfield bridge.

Building:

I brought in all I needed. I used cardboard boxes and I started to build.  I used glue and cellotape.  I cut tabs to stick things on but the arches did not need tabs to stick them on.  It took a really time.  Then I had to paint it.  I got it done.

Evaluation:

I think I did pretty well.  I think it is as good as my design because none of it looks different.  I think I think I could have done the abutments better by making them stronger and reinforcing the cardboard.

By Makaela

Bridges Report

Introduction:

One week Mrs Nicholson told us we were going to make bridges because we were learning about bridges.   We had to bring in our own cardboard, wood, and whatever else we needed.  I thought that I could bring something on the last two days.  I did but I needed more toilet paper rolls.  I only got two so I went to my Mum’s work.  The next day I got four paper rolls the same size as the others.  I got some cardboard from home and from my Mum’s work.  I walked to school with all my cardboard and toothpicks and what I needed. 

Design:

My design was a beam bridge but when I was finished I thought that my bridge could be better so I cut out some arches and put them on top.  It then looked like the Fairfield Bridge.  My bridge had a path on both sides.  My abutments were really cool.  They are like all other abutments.  I thought that my abutments were quite crocked.

Building:

When we got to start building I started with my beams.  I cut all the ends off then glued them together.  After gluing my beams together I cut a little into my toilet paper rolls, to make tabs, and glued them to the bottom of the bridge.  When that was done I got the scissors and cut little holes about two centimetres from the sides.  Then after putting holes in my beam I got my toothpicks and put them in but they fell through.  So I waited for the hot glue gun.  When they were on my bridge I cut out two arches and went to Mrs Nicholson with line drawn in my cardboard to show the holes that go through.  It’s like windows.  When Mrs Nicholson had cut them out, using a craft knife, I got it back and glued it on.  Then I cut out some abutments and glued them on.  Lastly I glued on my string for the fence.

Evaluation:

I think my bridge could have been better.  But I think it is good enough.  I think it was a great idea to bring cardboard, toothpicks, and paper rolls because they were easy to work with and the bridge was strong.

By Brodie

Creating a New Platform for the Dental Clinic

The concrete truck arrived and parked ready to mix up the concrete.

The men pulled out the scoop for the concrete to flow down.

They swept the concrete into the right place on top of the builders metal bars which reinforce it.

They began to move the concrete so that it was evenly covering the pad.

After using a tool to add water and mix up the concrete they had removed most of the air from the concrete.  Then they completely smoothed the surface over.

Finally it was finished and the concrete truck could leave.  Now we just had to wait for the concrete to dry and harden.

Paper Bridge Challenge

John Kerr and Sally came to visit us to talk about what an engineer does.  This was to help us to learn more about bridges.  John told us there are lots of different sorts of engineers.  John is an aircraft engineer.  A civil engineer helps build bridges.  A civil engineer decides how to build things that don't move, like bridges.
John challenged us to make a bridge from only one piece of paper using staples or cellotape.  Once we had finished our paper bridge we went to test it.  They tested it by hanging a bag off it and filling it with water bottles.  We recorded how many water bottles each bridge held.  The bridges spanned across two tables.  Joshua and Ezekiel's bridge held four bottles.
Then John brought out a bridge he had made and tested it.  It held all of the bottles except the large juice bottle.

Here is John's bridge.  It is a beam bridge with a supporting triangle truss.

Here he is placing the bottles in.  He used a pen to balance the bag off the bridge.