Mike Sanders post 1

Mike Sanders
C Block

The bridge design project involved us analyzing trusses to find the most effective system for bridge support. The bridge needed to hold at a minimum, 20 Newtons. The materials included glue, razor blades, pins, and balsa wood. For my design, I chose to use a combination of the Howe truss and the king post trust. The thought behind this design being maximize strength while minimizing materials used and net weight of the bridge. The building process was quite frustrating. The time it took the bridge was much longer than previously expected. Soon work quality was sacrificed to time, as the project needed to be finished. If more time was spent guaranteeing bridge symmetry strength and stability, I have no doubt the bridge would have performed ten fold that of the original test. Even when the project is causing frustration, one must stay on task to prevent chaotic events such as this one. Without persistence and patience, a good idea could turn into a poorly executed final draft.