Bridge Analysis (ILAP)

Solving systems of equations has applications in a multitude of disciplines. Once such application is in civil engineering. Although humor has been added to the scenario below, problems similar to this one are encountered by civil engineers on a daily basis. While moving supplies for the upcoming Go Army Math tailgate party, a certain mathematics professor (for anonymity's sake, we will call him Dr. Jones) has precariously overloaded his cargo vehicle. While en route to the tailgate party, located somewhere behind the West Point ski slope, he comes upon a deteriorating old truss bridge that is not classified according to its maximum load capacity. Noticing the shark-infested waters below the bridge, he wonders if he should be concerned about the overloaded truck, which weighs about 10 tons (20,000 lb). He pulls out his cell phone and gives you a call for a quick analysis and recommendation.

Physical Concepts Examined:
1. Forces
2. Load Transfer
3. Structures

Table of Contents:

SETTING THE SCENE

MODELING THE PROBLEM

SOLVING THE PROBLEM

REQUIREMENTS

A WRITE-UP TEMPLATE

REFERENCES

SAMPLE SOLUTION

ABOUT THE AUTHORS