Howe Truss Bridge
Have you wanted to make a strong popsicle stick bridge that used 100 popsicle sticks or less? This popsicle bridge was made from 98 unmodified popsicle sticks and WeldBond glue. It was 21 inches long, 4 inches tall, and 4 inches wide. It weighed about 150 grams, and held 140 pounds. With less than 100 popsicle sticks, that is a lot of strength in this bridge. Its efficiency score was 424.
This is the strongest popsicle bridge I have built so far.
I tested this bridge by putting the edges of the bridge on two books, and then placing a scale on the top of the bridge. Then I slowly lowered myself down on the scale with the help of two chairs. I carefully watched the scale to mark the exact spot of failure.
Before this bridge broke, I did hear several loud “popping” noises. This means several popsicle sticks came unglued. I probably could have stopped testing and re-glued those popsicle sticks. Had I done that, the bridge might have been able to hold even more.
That is the value of pre-testing your bridge. Evidently, a couple popsicle sticks weren’t glued on well enough, at least not as well as the others. That means I had several “weak links” that limit the strength of the bridge. Pre-testing allows you to identify those weak spots and fix them, without completely destroying your bridge.
what about if i use latex glue?
These bridges are so cool thanks for posting them on this website
for my class, i have to build a bridge 20 feet wide, with ELMERS GLUE!! ill never get it done with that. elmers. eww. so i think ill use one of your designs.
i have to roll a matchbox car on my brigde but how would i place them?
Hello–Like many, my bridge has to be designed so a matchbox car can drive across, but with less than 100 sticks. If I had to sacrifice 5 or so sticks, does anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks,
–Max
thanks, in science class we are building a bridge of popsicle sticks and i will try to copy one of your bridges
hello? I have a question to ask. how can a vehicle cross your bridge if there’s a cross bracing in the entrance of your bridge? just curious.
You will see this on real truss bridges, that they have lateral bracing at the top of the bridge, but still allow for enough room for cars to pass underneath. In this case, this bridges was not designed to have a car going across it.
never mind i read the top again and it said what glue it was..srry
cool bridge… i hope you dont mind but im gonna need to use your design as a base for the bridge i have to build
also,,, i was wondering what type od glue you used ?
u use crazy glue
I’d like to build a bridge that could support up to at least 550 pounds. The reason being is that im trying to build a bridge that would allow me to walk acrros my pool in my backyard.
The length would have to be 25 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 7 feet tall.
Any spacifics of what i should use?
Thanks.
im building this right now for a project i had to do in class but since i wasnt there i get to do it at home.it looks pretty simple but its not the picture doesnt show every little corner.lol but im trying my hardest
I would do this, but my teacher is making us build a bridge in class. We only have a fake 150,000 dollars to spend, and each Popsicle stick is 2,000 so I have no Idea how this will work. If I (My group) we get 100 exta credit points each (Yes,100!) we have 4 people in our group, and theres about 10 other groups. I have no Idea what to do.
I have a question about how to calculate the predicted load “the peak load” that the bridge can hold. what I need to know and what I have to follow to find out how many pounds the bridge can hold and how long it gonna stay for before it breaks?
I am building a Warren Truss Bridge “Popsicle bridge”
Please help or give me a website that can help !!!
Thanks and good job
this is a hard bridge to make but so far so good
wow i love this website i almost won a contest.
thanks,
Did you place the weight on top of the bridge or on the bottom?