How to Build Bridges
A bridge is simply a structure that is designed to span a gap. This means that whether you are making a bridge made of plastic for a model railroad, a bridge made out of wooden beams for a garden, or a bridge made of popsicle sticks for a science project, they are all technically bridges. This broad definition of bridge makes it so that building a bridge can be as easy, or as difficult, as you want it to be. The easiest of all bridges to build is called a beam bridge because it can consist of nothing more than a single beam.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Three four-feet by one-foot plywood planks
- Two three-feet by one-foot plywood planks
- 12 nails
- Hammer
Instructions
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1
Measure the gap you want to span. For example, if you want to build a bridge that goes over a small creek, measure the length between one end of the creek and the other. Make the measurements using a measuring tape.
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2
Cut three plywood planks to size. For example, if the span you are trying to gap is two-feet long, cut the plywood planks so that they are about four-feet long by about a one-foot wide.
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3
Place the three plywood planks side-by-side over the creek you are trying to span with the bridge. Essentially the bridge is done once at least one of the plywood beams spans the creek. However, for a more solid bridge, you'll want to continue.
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4
Cut two plywood planks so that they are three-feet long and one-foot wide.
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5
Attach each of the three x one plywood planks to either end of the bridge across all three of the four x one planks. Use two nails for every four x one plank to attach the three x ones.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Bridge image by Abhirup Basu from Fotolia.com
