Short Warren Truss Popsicle Bridge

This popsicle stick bridge was made from 40, unmodified popsicle sticks. The bridge spanned 12 inches, was 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide. I used only Elmer’s white glue to build the bridge. It weighed 57.4 grams (0.13 pounds), and held 90 pounds. Its efficiency score was 712. This is the first popsicle bridges that I built, and it helped me launch into making lots of others.

Even though this was the first popsicle stick bridge I had ever made, it turned out to be quite a success. The goal behind this bridge was to design not only a strong bridge, but design a process for building the bridge that could easily be replicated by almost anyone. That is why I didn’t cut any of the popsicle sticks. That alone would add a lot of complexity to the construction of the popsicle bridge. I made the bridge to easily span 12 inches, which seems to be a common requirement in popsicle stick bridge competitions.

34 Responses to “Short Warren Truss Popsicle Bridge”

1. Coley - March 4, 2009 at 11:57 am

   This is the contest page (I forgot to add it) :O

   http://www.apeg.bc.ca/services/branches/documents/vi/2009_pop_rules.pdf

   Thanks!

   Reply
2. Coley - March 4, 2009 at 11:55 am

   Hi

   I like the web site!

   I am making a popsicle bridge for a contest, and I was wondering what popscile designs are most efficent? I think that a curved design is best however, you popsicle bridge #3 was a trapozoid type… Here is the contest page…

   Thanks so much! I really apprceiate if you reply!

   Thanks
   Coley

   Reply
3. jessica pugh - January 20, 2009 at 3:35 am

   yeh i do. you make a secure structure making it stable. try making it out of knex and then make it the same with wood and test it. it may be that you have made the wrong type of bridge

   Reply
4. kaylah - January 10, 2009 at 12:27 pm

   how do i build a bridge strong enough useing popsicle sticks with the weight of 15 big books on top of it and uesing only 125 popsicle sticks

   Reply
5. Vidhan - November 30, 2008 at 5:43 pm

   Hi, I want to know what weights you used to place on the bridge?

   Reply
6. holoa - November 13, 2008 at 7:20 am

   this is one nice bridge guys you guys are awesome i wish i was as cool as you guys

   Reply
7. Scott - November 1, 2008 at 9:17 pm

   Have you ever built a bridge 5 feet long? You should put plans up on your website for one. I think it would be sweet

   Reply
8. Garrett Boon - November 1, 2008 at 11:36 am

   Rachel, the weight for this bridge was loaded from the top.

   Reply
9. Rachel Carrington - October 31, 2008 at 11:51 am

   Hi! I was wondering if the weight the bridge held was placed on the top or hung from the bottom.
   Thank you!

   Reply
10. Eilleona - October 28, 2008 at 9:14 am

    hay make some games so we can test our bridges. and that bridge dosn’t look stable or safe, no offense.

    Reply
11. Garrett Boon - October 6, 2008 at 10:01 am

    This bridge held 90 pounds before breaking.

    Reply
12. Kacpair31 - October 6, 2008 at 8:22 am

    This is very useful but i was wondering if you tested how much weight they could hold and how you simulated the weight?

    Reply
13. First Timer - October 1, 2008 at 9:01 am

    Hey Garrett for this bridge we were asked to do an interview on some one who specelizes in bridges and i thought you would be the perfect bridge consultant if you are up to answering a few question for me or know some one who can I would be thrilled.

    1. What is your favorite truss/bridge design and why?
    2. Who taught you about bridges?
    3. How long have you been making balsa wood bridges
    4. Which do you prefer: balsa or basswood?
    5. What advice can you give to first time bridge builders?

    Thanks again you can e-mail me if u want

    Reply
14. Garrett Boon - September 30, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Could you explain a little more? What didn’t work. How did you build the bridge?

    Reply
15. Erin - September 30, 2008 at 9:33 am

    Hi! We tested this bridge in onoe of our tech/shop classes and it didnt work~

    Reply