Lab 9: Horizontal Load-Bearing System II

The Objectives
The objective of this lab exercise is to apply the knowledge gained from the failure mode of the first bridge design. Learning from failure is a critical part of the history of structural design. Many structures of all types have failed; often in unexpected ways. The objectives can be best summarized as:

• to demonstrate your improved understanding of the bridge's behavior
• to increase the failure load
• to learn from prior misconceptions or mistakes

The Rules
The same as before.

The Documentation
This lab report should include the previous two lab reports in addition to:

• sketches of improvements
• identification of reasoning behind the improvements
• prediction of failure load
• prediction of failure mode
• evaluation of effectiveness of improvements
• self-critique of project

The Evaluation
The evaluation will be based upon the clarity and degree of completion of the report.