2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper presents student work involving the structural analysis of the existing Clear Creek Pedestrian Bridge, as well as the design, construction, and laboratory testing of a bamboo bridge model as part of the Project Capstone course. The existing bridge conveniently located near the campus with easy access, comprises two pony trusses supporting the floor beams and concrete deck, forming a U-shaped cross-section, with dimensions of 130’-0” in length and 8’-0” in clear width. RFEM6® software is used for structural analysis and stability assessment, ensuring compliance with applicable codes.

The bamboo bridge model is designed and constructed using glued bamboo sticks for laboratory testing under ultimate loads to observe buckling behavior. The model, resembling the Clear Creek bridge, measures 6’-0” long, 4.0” high and 4.5” wide, and includes two pony trusses, floor beams, and a lower horizontal truss. Deflections, member loads, and buckling modes of the model are analyzed using structural software. The bamboo bridge model fails under a load of 290 pounds, exhibiting a buckling shape that closely aligns with theoretical expectation.

Student survey responses indicate that the project effectively meets the objectives of the Capstone course, as demonstrated by the application of acquired knowledge in the preliminary design of a new bridge.