Bracket for making Truss Bridge

thingiverse

Students build a simple bracket using balsa wood to make bridges with various truss options. First, they model expected forces on the bridge, then build one and load it until it fails. A new twist is allowing students to design and print their own brackets for a bridge of their design, but workflow issues need to be worked out first. This activity combines 3D design and printing in a relevant way while providing a more accurate analysis of forces with a homogeneous connection point. Instead of glue, this bracket works perfectly with the Balsa Wood strips from Pitsco.