(Describer) A machine burns lines into wood, drawing rectangles that form the letters MIT. They turn into a red and gray logo. Title: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

[whirring]

(Describer) Title: Bridge Design (and Destruction!) part 2

(male narrator) Last video, we looked at the designs of beam and arch bridges. Let's move into the modern age with the truss bridge.

(Describer) It has diagonal beams that form triangles.

Truss bridges use a large frame, called a truss, that sits on top or below the bridge deck. Here it is on top. While it seems like we're adding weight to the deck, the truss distributes the load through the frame so the deck does not experience as much of a load.

(Describer) A truss is shown in a diagram.

Each segment of the truss experiences different loads of either tension or compression. We apply two equal loads to the deck and calculate the loads in each segment, shown as percentages of the total load. The largest loads are on the end and top segments, while the middle segments have none.

(Describer) Percentages are 58 and 29.

Remember that when we do the compression test. Spoiler alert!

(Describer) A balsa wood truss bridge is placed under the one column of the compressor and clipped to the base. Lego figures are added.

Let's see if this convict gets shot out of his truss jail. So how do you think the truss will break? Discuss.

(Describer) Also added are a female doctor, man with tools and Yoda.

Thanks for coming, Yoda. I love your work.

(Describer) Controlled by computer commands, the column is lowered.

The outer segments of the truss are the first to break because they handle the largest part of the load. The diagram showed the outer and top segments had the same loads. Why didn't the top break? Because the top pieces aligned along the wood grain, and wood is stronger in that direction.

(Describer) The deck breaks.

Adding the truss allowed the same deck length to hold 32 pounds, which is 25% stronger than the beam bridge of the same length. The final type of bridge we'll discuss is the iconic...

(Describer) Cables hang over the deck between towers.

Although, the only suspension bridge around us is less than iconic, but the same principles apply. Suspension bridges utilize thick steel cables that support the deck and transfer the load to the towers and anchors at the end of the bridge. Supporting cables suspend the bridge deck from the main cables.

(Describer) The structure is shown in a diagram, where a load points down from above.

The main cables and supporting cables of the bridge are always under tension. The cables transfer the load the towers, which experience compression, and also to the anchors at the end of the bridge.

(Describer) A balsa wood model is built.

In our model, we used wires for the main and supporting cables. Some construction is not ideal because it is difficult to simulate some of the joining points and anchors on a small scale.

(Describer) It’s set under the column and secured.

(Describer) More Lego figures are placed on the deck.

For this test, we need a full cast of characters. The Misfits versus... the Bike Gang. Oh, there's Crazy Guy again. Classic Crazy Guy.

(Describer) The pressure is applied.

As force is applied, the cables transfer the load to the towers and anchor points at the end. This force distribution maintains the deck's integrity, so that when it does break, it doesn't launch anyone...

(Describer) It breaks.

unfortunately. I wanted to see Crazy Guy get launched. This bridge supported 32 pounds, which is the same as the truss bridge.

(Describer) A bar graph shows the breaking forces of all the bridges.

The truss and suspension bridges were stronger than the long beam bridge, but weaker than the arch bridge. This may have been unexpected, but the advantage of truss and suspension bridges are that they can span longer distances than beam and arch bridges. Now what we've all been waiting for-- crushing a LEGO man.

(Describer) The column is lowered onto the head of a sitting Lego man.

♪

(Describer) The torso gets crushed, then the whole figure pops out from under the column.

(Describer) 'Beside two Lego figures, titles: Ian Fein, Filmmaker. Alan Lai, Nerd/Scientist.Funding to purchase and make this educational program accessible was provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Department of Education by telephone at 1-800-USA-LEARN, or online at www dot ed dot gov.'

Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.