Topic: The Effects of seismic shock on different bridge bracing systems.
Hypothesis:
The Bridge with the Cross Bracing system will withstand various levels of seismic shock longer than the bridges with V bracing, and diagonal bracing systems.
(my hypothesis was accepted.)
My Abstract:
This experiment was done in the hopes of finding out which bridge bracing system would be the best to use in a bridge for seismic shock resistance (earthquake resistance). After a month or so of research three types of bridge bracing systems were tested (Cross Bracing, V-bracing, and Diagonal bracing). Nine truss bridges total were made from wood glue and balsa wood sticks. They were then tested on an earthquake simulating machine. The machine tested three different sets of magnitudes which included 2.5-5.4, 6.1 -6.9, and 7.0 -7.9. Pictures were taken all throughout the experiment and results and observations were taken down. During the testing the v- bracing seem to have the most damage but it took more time to instill it, unlike the diagonal, whom failed earliest but not as dramatic. Dissimilar to both of these, the cross bracing took longest and had very few broken pieces. In the results, the bracing system that did the best was cross bracing, next v-line and lastly diagonal. Their average times were 11 minutes, 5 minutes and 30 seconds, and 4 minutes and 2 seconds. These findings showed that cross bracing would be the better choice to use in a real life bridge or building in order to withstand seismic shock.
Hypothesis:
The Bridge with the Cross Bracing system will withstand various levels of seismic shock longer than the bridges with V bracing, and diagonal bracing systems.
(my hypothesis was accepted.)
My Abstract:
This experiment was done in the hopes of finding out which bridge bracing system would be the best to use in a bridge for seismic shock resistance (earthquake resistance). After a month or so of research three types of bridge bracing systems were tested (Cross Bracing, V-bracing, and Diagonal bracing). Nine truss bridges total were made from wood glue and balsa wood sticks. They were then tested on an earthquake simulating machine. The machine tested three different sets of magnitudes which included 2.5-5.4, 6.1 -6.9, and 7.0 -7.9. Pictures were taken all throughout the experiment and results and observations were taken down. During the testing the v- bracing seem to have the most damage but it took more time to instill it, unlike the diagonal, whom failed earliest but not as dramatic. Dissimilar to both of these, the cross bracing took longest and had very few broken pieces. In the results, the bracing system that did the best was cross bracing, next v-line and lastly diagonal. Their average times were 11 minutes, 5 minutes and 30 seconds, and 4 minutes and 2 seconds. These findings showed that cross bracing would be the better choice to use in a real life bridge or building in order to withstand seismic shock.