Building Toothpick Bridges

 

YouWill Need:One box of wooden toothpicks for each group, pair or (or individual) and any type of white glue.

 

How to Do It:Your job requires you to apply geometry by building "strong" model bridges. Your bridges may be constructed of toothpicks and glue only, they must span a12-inch space, and they must supportat least 7 pounds. There are bridges and related research you may be interested in searching on the internet. Work will be started during class time, but it will likely require some homework time too. You may work together in groups of up to 4 people, or you may work independently.

 

The bridge building rules and suggestions are as follows:

 

• Reference books and materials may be used to obtain information and illustrations of different

types of bridges (arch, cantilever, suspension, etc.).

• Use a maximum of 1 box of wooden toothpicks (750 count)per bridge.

• Any kind of glue may be used, but only on the joints. There must be a non-glue area completely

around each toothpick.

• The bridge must be functional. (There must be space to drive a toy car across it.)

• The support structure may be built above and/or below the roadway, but may not touch the floor

or ceiling.

• The bridge must be at least2 toothpicks wide.

• The length of the bridge must be exactly 12 inches between the supports,but the roadway may extend to a greater length.

• A weight platform, measuring no more than2 inchesX4 inches, must be built into the roadway

near the center of the bridge. In this area toothpicks may be overlapped and designed to either have

weights set on it or suspended from it. The bridge must support at least7pounds.

• Only whole toothpicks may be used during construction. Any protruding segments may be

trimmed off.