Weekly Post (week 6)

1. What you did in the prior week
In my bridge construction team, individual continue to work on separate bridges at the beginning of the class. I tried to build a bridge which has a wide part at the two ends of the bridge. The junction of the chords defined the possible width. Much more junctions are needed compare to the original design, accompanying the increasing of the cost. Overall, it was not a successful try of improvement.

2. What you and your teammates have agreed you'll do in the coming week
In the future of the weeks, we will focus on one bridge, and tried our best to improve it. The cost of the bridge is still very high and we want to reduce the cost in the condition that not reduces the affordability.

3. Major accomplishments of the week for the team
We determined which specific bridge to work on in the future weeks. Ed built an innovative bridge with a compact structure. The bridge simplifies the chord design and emphasizes the design of the junctions. The bridge worked well, and bore a great weight during the test.

4. Issues that the team or you as an individual faces
The stress analysis on Knex is difficult. And it would block the improvement of the bridge. And during the test, it is also difficult to observe how the chords and junctions work together with naked eyes.

5. After working with Knex for a week reread your entry of last week and state how your views of the similarities and differences have changed - if at all. If they haven't changed address the question of what you think would be the difference between working with Knex and designing a "real" bridge made of steel spanning 20'
In last week, I thought building the bridge on the WPBD would afford more possibilities than the Knex on bridge design, because the thickness of the chord could not be change with Knex. But when I started to focus working on the Knex, I realized that the diversity of junctions in Knex actually give more options for the design. In reality, I do not know someone will build a bridge which spans 20’. In reality, people would not use plastic to build bridge. Steel is a much more optimal choice compare to plastic which is easy aging. In reality, the designer should consider the horizontal force more than the Knex design. In the laboratory which is a indoor environment, does not have too much interference factors compare to the outdoor environment.