| Prediction (kg) | Reasoning | Predicted failure point |
|---|---|---|
Standard: Fill in the definition. | Support: Definitions shown in grey — read and copy into your folio. | Extension: Use each term in a sentence.
| Term | Definition | Use in a sentence (Extension) |
|---|---|---|
| Load testing | Applying increasing force to determine maximum capacity |
|
| Structural failure | When a structure breaks, buckles, or collapses |
|
| Compression failure | A member is crushed or buckled under pushing forces |
|
| Tension failure | A member is pulled apart under stretching forces |
|
| Evaluation | Judging how well a design meets the original brief |
|
| Reflection | Thinking back on what you learned and what you would change |
Read the testing procedure carefully. You will follow these steps exactly.
| Step | Procedure |
|---|---|
| 1 | Place bridge across a 30 cm gap between two supports |
| 2 | Place a small cardboard platform on the bridge deck |
| 3 | Add masses incrementally: 50 g, 100 g, 200 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg… |
| 4 | Wait 5 seconds at each increment — observe for deflection |
| 5 | Record the last successful load before failure |
In your own words, describe what you need to do during testing:
Match each failure type to its description.
| Failure Type | Description | Match (write the letter) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Joint failure | A. Entire structure suddenly collapses | |
| 2. Member failure | B. A single stick snaps or breaks | |
| 3. Buckling | C. Glue gives way where sticks connect | |
| 4. Deck failure | D. A member bends sideways under compression | |
| 5. Catastrophic collapse | E. The top surface caves in under the load |
Record your bridge’s test results.
| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Bridge weight (g) | |
| Maximum load held (g) | |
| Failure type | |
| Where failure occurred | |
| Predicted load (from Do Now) | |
| Predicted vs Actual |
Record the top 5 results from the class.
| # | Bridge / Builder | Bridge Weight (g) | Max Load (g) | Failure Type | Efficiency Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 4 | |||||
| 5 |
Efficiency = Max Load ÷ Bridge Weight
Example: 3,000 g ÷ 40 g = 75:1
| Your calculation | Your ratio | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
|
<25:1 Keep practising 25–49:1 Good 50–99:1 Great 100+:1 Exceptional |
Walk around and observe other bridges. Take notes.
| # | Question | Your observations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which bridge had the strongest features? Why? | |
| 2 | Which bridge was the most creative? What made it creative? | |
| 3 | What ONE feature would you borrow for a redesign of your bridge? |
Answer all evaluation questions in full sentences.
| # | Question | Your answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Did your bridge meet the design brief? Explain. | |
| 2 | How did your maximum load compare to your prediction? | |
| 3 | Where and how did your bridge fail? | |
| 4 | What would you change if you built this bridge again? | |
| 5 | How did the design process help you throughout this project? |
Write 3–5 sentences for each reflection question.
| # | Question | Your reflection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the most important thing you learned about engineering from this project? | |
| 2 | How does this project connect to real-world bridges and structures? | |
| 3 | What skills have you developed during this unit? |
Use these sentence starters to help with your evaluation:
Formal engineering report: Write a mini-report using the structure below.
Graph challenge: If you recorded incremental loads, graph Load (x-axis) vs Deflection (y-axis). Describe the pattern.
Research: Find a real bridge failure case study (e.g. Tacoma Narrows, Silver Bridge). What caused it?
| Success Criteria | Got it 🟢 | Nearly there 🟠 | Need help 🔴 |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can conduct a load test incrementally | |||
| I can record and analyse test results | |||
| I can evaluate my bridge against the design brief | |||
| I can reflect on what I learned about engineering |