Build a Covered Bridge Simulation

The purpose of this bridge-building game is to test out different bridge designs with either 19th. century vehicles, like the horse and buggy, or with 21st. century vehicles, like the car.

If your bridge is not strong enough it, will break apart. You can select from some standard bridge designs, or you can invent your own. You can also change various parameters, such as the strength of the bridge or the weight of the vehicles that cross the bridge.

This is not an accurate engineer's simulation of covered bridges (in other words, you can't use it to design or test actual bridges), but it illustrates the basic principles in a simplified format for educational purposes.

When playing with this game ask yourself some of these questions.

What makes the bridge fall apart?
Can I build a bridge that will not break up?
Can I build a bridge that can handle the weight of the vehicles that cross it?
What would make it stronger?
Are some truss combinations better than others?
What if I made the bridge shorter by adding more abutements?

Covered Bridge Builder

PURPOSE OF THIS GAME

	Covered Bridge Builder PURPOSE OF THIS GAME The purpose of this bridge-building game is to test out different bridge designs with either 19th. century vehicles, like the horse and buggy, or with 21st. century vehicles, like the car. If your bridge is not strong enough it, will break apart. You can select from some standard bridge designs, or you can invent your own. You can also change various parameters, such as the strength of the bridge or the weight of the vehicles that cross the bridge. This is not an accurate engineer's simulation of covered bridges (in other words, you can't use it to design or test actual bridges), but it illustrates the basic principles in a simplified format for educational purposes. When playing with this game ask yourself some of these questions. What makes the bridge fall apart? Can I build a bridge that will not break up? Can I build a bridge that can handle the weight of the vehicles that cross it? What would make it stronger? Are some truss combinations better than others? What if I made the bridge shorter by adding more abutements?