8th Grade Mod Tech Root Middle School Modular TechnologyBlizzard Bag Day 1 Released to students April 14th Due May 2nd

First Day Assignment - Download West Point Bridge Builder 2014 software. What is it? Bridge Builder is the same program that is used in class to design and test a bridge. The 2014 version is newer than we use at school and has some neat new features. How do I download? It’s easy! Get on your computer and go to your internet browser (Explorer in Windows or Safari in Macintosh). Copy and paste the following link into the browsers search box and hit enter: http://bridgecontest.org This link will take you to the Engineering Encounter – Bridge Design Contest. On this page you will see the link to download WPBB 2014 software. This software is designed and presented by West Point Academy.The American Society of Civil Engineers and the Army Educational Outreach Program sponsor a contest that you can enter, which features the award-winning West Point Bridge Designer software. Follow the link for the bridge software and follow directions. All you really have to do is decide if you need Windows (most of us) or Macintosh (Apple computers). Can’t figure it out? Ask Mr. Stefanko in class or after school and he will assist you. Don’t have a computer at home? No problem. Efforts are being made to have the West Point Bridge Designer software available in the media center so that it is available during study halls.

First Day Summary. Complete the installation of WPBB 2014 or plan a schedule to participate in after school sessions to complete day 2 and 3 Mod Tech blizzard bags work. To Turn in Assignment: Sign and return this page to document your activity for Day 1 Mod Tech Blizzard Bag: Student Name(print)__________________________________________________________Date_______________ ☐

loaded software at home

8th Grade Mod Tech A.I. Root Middle School Modular Technology Blizzard Bag Day 2 Released to students April 14th Due May 2nd

Second Day Assignment-Engineer a “Suspended Warren Truss” bridge design. 1)

Start up a new bridge: Open up the WPBB 2014 Bridge Designer software. Select to start a new design.

2)

Go through the 6 numbered screens for setting up a new design: Page 1- read the design requirements (next>>) Page 2- change nothing (next>>) Page 3- change only anchorages to “Two Cable Anchorages” (next>>) Page 4- change nothing (next>>) Page 5- add your name as the bridge designer (next>>) Page 6- choose template “Suspended Warren Truss” (finish>>)

3)

You now have a template to complete a new bridge design. Use “save as” from the file menu and use your last name and class period as the name for your file. (example: stefanko3) Save your bridge design anywhere you want to on your home computer. (If you are working at the school media center: save your design into your school “H” drive.)

4)

Click “Help” on the menu bar and open “How to Design a Bridge” from the drop down menu. You will use the software’s built-in “help” as your tool for guiding you through the construction of your bridge.

5)

Compete all the blocks in the “How to Design a Bridge” diagram until you can complete the block labeled “Are All Bridge Members Safe”. That’s it! You’re done with Day 2.

Note: You might need help getting your bridge design to work. The WPBB software always leads you to the help window and will take you step by step through any problems you encounter. If you really have a hard time getting the basic stuff done look in the help menu for “The Bridge Design Window”. All the basic software questions are covered here for you to review to get you going anytime you get stuck. Keep the help

window open as you work (minimize it-don’t close) then get back to your bridge, but keep it handy for help when you need it. Second Day Summary: Don’t bother with the cost of your bridge just yet. You should have a bridge that works. Day 3 will be to optimize your design and bring in the lowest cost suspension bridge!

To Turn in Assignment: Sign and return this page to document your activity for Day 2 Mod Tech Blizzard Bag: Student Name (print)__________________________________________________________Date_______________ ☐

printed design at home

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attended after school session saved to “h” drive

8th Grade Mod Tech A.I. Root Middle School Modular Technology Blizzard Bag Day 3 Released to students April 14th Due May 2nd Third Day Assignment: Optimize your bridge design to meet the strength requirements at the lowest cost possible. 1) Open up your bridge design in West Point Bridge Designer that you started in Day 2. 2) Open the help screen and get back to the “How to Design a Bridge” help diagram that you worked through on Day 2. Begin with the block on how to “Optimize the Member Properties”. This help page is full of links and explanations on how the size and type of material you use might affect your design costs and the strength of your design. Your goal is to maintain the strength of your bridge but lower your costs as much as possible. 3) OPTIONAL: The “How to Design a Bridge” help diagram will take you through more blocks and ways to optimize your bridge. Go for it if you have the courage, but be careful. You might want to use “save as” and give your design a new name so if you make too many changes you’ll be able to start over with you original bridge design. 4) Print a copy of your bridge that you can bring to class. We will post all of the designs and get a chance to see how others did compared to you! Third Day Summary: You should have a bridge design for the “Suspended Warren Truss” designed by you and printed so you can hand it in at school. To Turn in Assignment: Sign and return this page to document your activity for Day 3 Mod Tech Blizzard Bag: Student Name(print)__________________________________________________________Date_______________ ☐

printed design at home, brought to school

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attended after school session saved to “h” drive