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Spaghetti Bridge Design Competition Rules
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Spaghetti Bridge Design Competition Rules
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Bridge Design Competition Rules

 

 

 

 

Composition

  1. The bridge shall be made only of commercial spaghetti. (Be certain to use spaghetti, not linguini, angel hair, penne, etc.)
  2. The maximum diameter of the spaghetti is 3.0 mm.
  3. You may cut, bend, break or cook the spaghetti.
  4. No alterations of the spaghetti are allowed such as filling with glue, reinforcing with other materials, or painting.
  5. The maximum mass of the bridge is 1.00 kg.

 

Joining Material

  1. Only water-based glues such as Elmer’s Glue and hot glues can be used as the joining material. ONLY ELMER’S can be used for the deck (see deck specifications below).  ELMERS OR HOT GLUE can be used at the intersection of cables. Note: Glues such as fiberglass resin glues and epoxies are not permitted. See if your teacher if you have any questions about the acceptability of a particular brand of glue.
  2. Be certain to work in a well-ventilated area!

 

Dimensions

  1. The bridge will be placed on two tables with a span of 0.50 meters between the tables.
  2. Each end of the bridge may not extend more than 13 cm (approx. 5 in) beyond the end of the flat surface (table). Total length of bridge cannot exceed 76 cm.
  3. The maximum vertical depth of the bridge from the highest point to the lowest point shall not exceed 50 cm and the lowest point of the bridge shall not be more than 25 cm below the bridge deck.
  4. All parts of the bridge deck (before loading) cannot at any point be 3.0 cm higher or lower than at the end of the deck.
  5. The ends of the deck may not be more than 1.50 cm above the level surface.

 

Cables

  1. No more than 5 pieces of spaghetti can be glued together to form the “cables” that support the bridge above and below the deck. Individual cables can only be connected with glue at their ends or where they cross, not along their entire length. (See exception below).
  2. Parallel cables must have a minimum of 3.0 cm of space between them.

 

 

Deck

  1. The bridge must include a deck that provides a continuous road surface (no gaps) at least 5.0 cm wide across the entire length of the bridge.
  2. A block of wood (50 mm W x 100 mm L x 50 mm H) that simulates a car must be able to pass across the bridge, unobstructed, from end to end.
  3. The deck itself can only be made of two layers of spaghetti. These two layers can run parallel to each other or perpendicular and may be glued (Elmer’s glue only) along their entire length, if needed.
  4. A maximum of two long cables (containing no more than 5 pieces of spaghetti each) can be glued under the double spaghetti layer of the deck, running the length of the deck, and two long cables glued on top of the double spaghetti layer of the deck. These cables can be glued to the deck along their entire length. (Compared to cables making up structures above and below the deck.)  Elmer’s glue only!
  5. Additionally, up to two short cables (max. length of 10 cm) can be placed under the deck, in any direction. These cables can be glued to the deck along their entire length. (Compared to cables making up structures above and below the deck.) Elmer’s glue only!

 

Loading Platform

  1. A “loading platform” made of fibreboard/plywood (approx. 10 cm x 5 cm) with a metal hook attached will be provided to the engineers and must be located at the center of the bridge sitting on the top of the bridge deck with the hook coming through below.
  2. No substitutions for the loading platform or hook are permitted.
  3. The loading deck must be free from any permanent attachment (not glued) and will be included with the mass of the bridge.
  4. Access to the hook from below must be unobstructed.
  5. Loads will be attached using an s-hook extension if necessary.

 

General Rules

  1. The bridge shall be free standing (not attached to the flat surface/table in anyway)
  2. Anchorage of the ends of the bridge is not permitted. No part of the bridge may touch the ground.

  3. The support for the bridge shall be from the top of the level surface only. The edge of the surface cannot be used as a support. (See diagrams below.)

                 


                                           Acceptable                              Unacceptable

.Competition

All bridges will have a 2.0 kg mass suspended from the hook on the loading platform. This mass must stay suspended for 40 seconds (as well as meet specifications above) for the bridge to meet all requirements. Bridges may not be touched while holding the load. If during loading, the bridge twists in such a way as to lend additional support, the bridge will be disqualified.

 

After all bridges have been tested the lightest bridge that met all requirements (including load) will win “The Most Functional Bridge”. Other prizes will be given for Most Artistic Bridge and Strongest Bridge. The “Strongest Bridge” will be the bridge that can withstand the most mass before failing. Failing is defined as breaking or when any part of the deck is more than 3.0 cm below the ends. In the Strongest Bridge competition, the bridge must survive for 10 seconds for the mass to count. This is an optional competition. The Most Functional Bridge cannot compete in the Strongest Bridge.

                                     

Only bridges meeting design specifications will be allowed to compete for the prizes.