A design-under-constraints problem: build a bridge that holds the required load without exceeding a $400k cost budget — reached through a few failed iterations and one that worked.
Iterations
✓Idea 1 — a Howe through-truss — was too heavy to even hold its own weight and was scrapped.
✓Idea 2 lacked a proper support foundation and couldn't keep the load up.
Final design
✓Added supports and varied material thickness where the analysis showed it was needed, producing a stable structure.
✓Understanding what actually made a truss stable was the change that made the final design work.
Reflection
✓Met all project criteria; the main area to improve was cost — the final came in close to the cap at $340,945 / $400,000.