CUBE architivity: Pasta Bridges

Pasta Bridges

This activity idea, from Nancy Anderson and implemented by Julia Shahid, was presented at archiCamp, Seaside, 1996.

The student will learn about the elements of architecture involved in bridge building.

The student will practice problem solving in a hands-on cooperative group effort.

The students will work in groups of three or four.

The students will design a bridge using pasta that fulfills the requirements below.

Requirements:

Use given materials economically.
Clear span 12 inches.
Hold a load of 4 inches at mid-span.
Looks like a bridge.
Is self-supporting.

Students will be given basic resources as they begin their project. If they need more supplies, they may purchase extra. This eliminates the wasting of the pasta and glue. It makes students aware that an architect begins with a certain budget for constructing bridges and they must try to work within their budget. However, it is sometimes necessary to spend more than they anticipated.

Students will begin with:

spaghetti - not thick variety - 1 inch diameter circle

1/2 cup dry rigatoni

1/2 cup bow pasta
2 sheets of lasagna noodles

1 spool of thread

1 glue gun (low temp hot melt)

5 glue sticks for glue gun

200 points

Most spaghetti is 9-10 inches long, so students need to splice in order to span 12 inches. They must realize that the ends of the bridge need to be as strong as the part spanning the 12 inches. They need to realize that the lasagna snaps easily if used flat, however the lasagna standing on its side will support 4 pounds by itself.

The purchase price for additional supplies:

1 inch bundle of spaghetti - 10 points

1 glue stick - 10 points

1 spool of thread - 25 points

1/2 c. rigatoni - 5 points

1/2 c. swirls - 5 points

1/2 c. bows - 5 points

1 sheet lasagna - 5 points

Academic Objectives:

Demonstrate understanding of beam action.
Demonstrate ability to understand forces acting on a beam and modify design to counteract observed behaviors.
Be able to develop complete list of criteria for evaluation.
Be able to experience and benefit from team interaction.

Resources:

Salvadori, Mario. The Art of Construction. Chicago Review Press, 1990. p. 75-118.

Wilson, Forrest. Bridges Go from Here to There

Sharp, Dennis. Santiago Calatrava, Book Art, London, 1992. World Book Encyclopedia - Bridges