Engineering a Classroom Paper Bridge: A Comparative Investigation
Civil engineers design bridges to cross physical obstacles like rivers, canyons, and busy highways. Before constructing full-scale structures out of reinforced concrete or steel, engineers frequently test smaller physical models to see how geometric shapes manage physical forces. In this classroom investigation, you will compare two distinct structural forms: a simple flat-beam bridge and an accordion-folded corrugated bridge. Both models will use identical standard printer paper to demonstrate how altering shape changes a structure's ability to resist bending under a load.
Required Materials
Gather the following supplies before beginning:
- Two textbooks of equal thickness (approximately 1.5 to 2 inches thick)
- A standard twelve-inch metric/customary ruler
- Several sheets of standard 20-pound printer paper (8.5 by 11 inches)
- One small, lightweight plastic cup or paper condiment cup to serve as a load container
- A collection of identical, small weights (such as standard metal paper clips, uniform metal washers, or clean pennies)
- A data recording sheet and a pencil
Phase 1: Preparing the Testing Arena
To conduct a fair scientific test, you must keep all experimental variables identical except for the cross-sectional shape of the paper. Set up your testing span by following these initial steps:
- span:
- The unsupported open distance between two structural supports or abutments.
- corrugated:
- Shaped into alternating, parallel ridges and grooves resembling waves or accordion folds.
- deflection:
- The degree to which a structural element bends or sags downward under an applied load.
- catastrophic:
- Describing a sudden, total, and complete structural collapse or failure.
- kinetic:
- Relating to or resulting from motion, such as the force delivered by a falling weight.
- compresses:
- Squeezes or presses inward, shortening a material under structural force.
- buckled:
- Gave way, crumpled, or bent suddenly under compressive stress.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the independent variable being tested between Design A and Design B in this investigation?
- 2Why must the investigator place weights into the cup gently rather than dropping them?
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About this how-to / procedural passage for 7th Grade
“Engineering a Classroom Paper Bridge: A Comparative Investigation” is a how-to / procedural reading passage about paper bridge testing investigation, written for 7th Grade. It takes about 6 minutes to read (949 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.