You will need:
- Paper sheets of A4 size
- Coins
- Tape
- 2 tables/stools
Get a deeper understanding of structures and how changing the shape of a building material increases its supportive capabilities.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place 2 tables or stools 8 inches apart from each other.
- Now, try placing the sheet in between the 2 tables in the gap that is created. Does it make a good bridge?
- Next, fold the sheet lengthwise so that
it may resemble a square tube. Place it between the tables again and gradually add weight to the bridge, in the form of coins. How many coins can it hold? Does it make a good bridge? - Take another sheet and try to fold it lengthwise so that it may now be a triangular tube. Repeat the process placing coins on the bridge. Does it make a good bridge?
- Using yet another sheet, roll it up so that it may now resemble a circular tube. Repeat the process of placing an even greater number of coins.
- Lastly, roll 2 sheets into tubes like before and stick one end together with tape. Stick the bottom end of both the tubes to a strip of paper, making a triangle. Support this structure between the tables and place coins. How many can it hold?
RESULT
The first flat sheet of A4 size is too flimsy to hold its own weight even. The square bridge does a better job but only slightly. This is because the square bridge would fold sideways and collapse. The triangular bridge is slightly better at handling weight than the square one. The circular tube bridge won’t curve, but can be compressed making it collapse. The last bridge is the sturdiest. This is because the thin strip of sheet has the tubes supporting it, providing compression and tension on the strip.
