PROJECT IDEAS : SENIOR
PHASE
How to make a model of a Rope Suspension Bridge
LEARNING
AREA: TECHNOLOGY
LEARNING OUTCOME 1: TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND SKILLS:
The learner will be able to apply technological processes and skills ethically and responsibly using appropriate information and communication technologies.
cardboard
for a base
mixing bowl 
jug
of water
loose sand (3 cups)
2 cups flour
pair of scissors
pen
string / rope / wool
sticks (match sticks or twigs or ice cream sticks)
HOW TO MAKE A MODEL OF A ROPE SUSPENSION BRIDGE: (See photos below)
STEP 
:
Mix the sand, flour and water in the bucket until it forms a thickish mud paste.
STEP 
:
Stand the box with the base facing upwards.
STEP
:
Pile the mud paste high on either end of the box.
Set aside for now.
STEP
:
Lay the sticks in front of the box from mudpile to mudpile with one stick-spacing in between each stick. Add a couple more sticks to make sure that the bridge will not be too short.
STEP 
:
Measure two lengths of string / wool each equaling four times the distance from mudpile to mudpile. Cut the string / wool.
Lay the two stings parallel to each other a stick-length apart.
STEP 
:
Leaving a section of the string open at the start, begin to tie the sticks onto the string / wool with a half- hitch knot (half a shoelace knot). The knot must be made on the same side of the stick every time. Tie both ends of each stick first before starting on the next stick.
STEP
:
Once all the sticks have been tied there should be a section of string left loose.
STEP
:
Insert
two sticks on
top of
each mudpile,
one match-length
apart. These
will act
as anchorage
for the
bridge.
Tie the loose string-ends of the bridge, to the bottom of each stick on the mudpiles.
STEP 
:
Measure
two-lengths of
string equaling the
length of
the bridge.
Remember to
allow extra
string for
knots. These
are the
handrails of
the bridge.
Tie these
strings to
the top
of each
stick on the
mudpiles. Allow the model to dry for two-three days before moving.