Home > Science Experiments > Structures and Shapes - Project 1 - Arches and Beams: Which is strongest?

1. Printable Version
2. Download PDF
3. Cite this Page
4. Tweet This

Project 1
Arches and Beams: Which is strongest?

Purpose

In this project, you will construct one bridge using an arch and one using a beam. The bridges will use the same vertical supports and platforms, and the arch and beam will be of identical thickness. You will test the bridges to determine how much weight each one can support.

Level of Difficulty

Easy/moderate.

Materials Needed

• 1 sheet of red poster board, 14 × 22 inches (36 × 56 cm)
• 1 sheet of white poster board, 14 × 22 inches (36 × 56 cm)
• scissors
• ruler
• 10 iron fishing sinkers, 0.5-ounce (14-gram) each
• 4 stacks of textbooks, each approximately 5 inches (12 cm) tall

Approximate Budget

$15 for poster board and sinkers.

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass

1. Introduction
2. Different forces can act upon one object
3. The arch redistributes forces to maintain equilibrium
4. Project 1 - Arches and Beams: Which is strongest?
5. Project 2 - Beams and Rigidity: How does the vertical height of a beam affect its rigidity?
6. Design Your Own Experiment