Group Projects

last updated: October 16, 2000

Project 2:  The second project for the course is to design (design only) a timber bridge for the National Timber Bridge Design Competition (NTBDC).  You are not required to construct and test the bridge, but of course you may.  The NTBDC is an annual competition (like the steel bridge or concrete canoe) sponsored by ASCE and the Forest Products Society.  The competition includes building and testing the bridge, but for this class project you are only required to develop a "reasonable/competitive" design that complies with the rules set forth in competition.  The rules and design requirements are available at the following website: http://www.msrcd.org/bridge.htm.  The project requirements are as follows:

• In teams of three or four, design a bridge per the rules and requirements set forth.

• You are not required to construct and test the bridge, but you may do so.

• Required documentation for your final design (Due: Friday, 8 Dec 2000, by 5:00 pm)  

  • Cover memo, including an summary of the design process, basis for your design (i.e., primary assumptions), lessons learned, strengths and weaknesses of your design, etc. 

  • Complete set of design documents (including all assumptions, analysis and design calculations, construction drawings, etc.).

  • A one-page summary of your design, with a drawing of your final bridge design.  Both a hard copy and electronic copy is required.  The electronic copy will be posted on our course website.  More detail on this later.

• In addition to the final report (above), three interim reports are required: 

  • A memo defining your team of three or four.  In the memo, please provide full names of all team members, student ID numbers, and name you design team.  (Due: Monday, 23 Oct 2000, at the start of class)  

  • A memo outlining a minimum of three preliminary design concepts.  Outline the perceived advantages and disadvantages of each concept.  Additionally, not any problems you are encountering regarding the project.  (Due: Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000, at the start of class)

  • A memo providing a general report on progress.  Include an outline of your final design concept, including solutions to all disadvantages outlined in your previous memo, and a summary of design variables (e.g., species, design values, etc.).  (Due: Friday, 17 Nov 2000, at the start of class)

  • Finally, you will be required to give a brief (10 minute) presentation of your design to class during dead week (11 - 15 Dec 2000).  Order of presentations to be determined via a lottery.

Note that you may post questions regarding rules interpretation on the NTBDC website.  If you do so, please let Dr. Fridley know.  

Project 1:  Reference our classroom discussion on Friday, 1 September.   From the list of material types, write a "state-of-the-art" paper discussing the history, development, and future of the wood or wood-based material type of interest to you and your group.  Include trends in the material use, with examples wherever possible.  As you work on this project, please utilize the discussion list.  Post questions, comments, etc. about what you learn (and what you see others finding).  Be complete, and be sure to include any and all (as many as possible) references. Follow ASCE's format guide found at:  http://www.pubs.asce.org/authors/index.html.  You are also encouraged to work with the WSU Writing Center prior to submitting your paper to me for grading.  If you do utilize this lab, I will  add 5 percentage points to your project grade and extend the due date by one week.  Please work in groups of two or three (self-selected).  DUE 11 September 2000 if you do not use the Writing Center, 18 September if you do use the Writing Center.