3DD ROTATION - BUILDING BRIDGES

There are many ways to build a bridge, you can go for striking architectural shapes and lines sacrificing function and practicality or you can create a structurally sound bridge that's a bit boring. This was the dilemma that our group was faced with therefore the initial design process underwent much deliberation and we found ourselves changing the design as we went along. The brief was to create a bridge between two tables using only cardboard, bamboo and tape (lots of it) that could allow a boat (a table) to pass safely underneath. To test it, a remote controlled car must be able to safely traverse the bridge. This meant we could possibly use a suspension bridge design much alike the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or even a lifting bridge similar to the Tower Bridge in London.

In the end we decided to go for a suspension bridge-like method and firstly created our road using two sheets of folded cardboard with bamboo inside to reinforce the board and prevent it from flexing and bending, this worked well. Then we created the central support column in the middle of the bridge where the road arched up and secured it in place using brown tape, we also secured the ends of the road to the table using tape. Once the function and practicality was complete we got creative and made patterns, drawings and alternative structures on the bridge.

One of two panels of the road bridge
made using bamboo-reinforced folded
cardboard.

Fixing the ends to the tables

The middle support column made
using a lot of tape and bamboo

A view of the bridge's underside

Fixing the two poles to the ground was difficult
but the weight of the bridge and the tape made
it easier for the two bamboo poles to stay put.

An example of one of the bamboo joints
on the bridge

Early stages of the bridge's construction 

Tape barriers to prevent the remote
control car from falling off

A view from the entrance of the bridge

Golden Gate-like structure

The final completed bridge; structurally sound
and aesthetically pleasing

 Images - Author's Own 24/09/13