Assignment 79

COURSE Project (25%)

2020-2021

Basic Mechanics-I

ME-270

Fall 2020

Course Project Guidelines

ME270: Design of Steel Truss Bridge

Dr. Ahmed Al-Makky

Dr. Saleh Mohmoud

Dr. Sherif Said

[Project Weight: 25%]

Semester: Fall

2020 - 2021

I. Introduction

II. Learning Outcomes

III. Project Files

IV. Project Summary (Scenario)

V. Deliverables & Project Management

VI. Plagiarism

VII. Marking Scheme

I. Introduction

The ME270 project is intended to demonstrate students’ ability to create mechanical designs

using the theories learnt in the class. In this particular project, the students are required to design

a steel truss highway bridge using West Point Bridge Designer software (available for free).

The challenge is that the students need to design a bridge strong enough to support a truck

weighing the 225 kN (two lanes) at the minimum possible cost. The bridge must have the

following specs.

 Arch type

 Bridge span (length) is 40 m

 No peers allowed

 No cables allowed

The appropriate design is the one that is able to support the truck weight successfully and be at

the minimum possible cost. To accomplish this task, the students have to decide among many

alternatives (minimum three designs are required) such as type of material, elements size, type

of the abatement, etc.

Once satisfied with the design, the students need to select two of most critical elements and

conduct hand calculations using the methods learnt in the class (Section and Joints). These

obtained results should be then compared with the software calculations and comments are

made for any discrepancies.

Group Size: 2 students

II. Learning Outcomes

 ABET ( A-F), refer to the syllabus for the details

 Basic Mechanics I Learning outcomes, refer to the syllabus for the details

Specific Learning Outcomes:

 Ability to apply theoretical knowledge in ‘real work’ project

 Ability to create mathematical models of real life situations and apply reasonable assumptions to come up with an acceptable solution.

 Ability to present findings in clear and concise manner

 Ability to draw meaningful conclusions Files associated with the project are posted on Moodle

Software useful tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfZOkCK24qs

III. Project Summary (Scenario)

Imagine that you are a mechanical engineer working for a road construction company. Your

manager has given you the task of designing arch type steel truss bridge in one of the highways

to be constructed by the company. You have been given the freedom to design the bridge in

anyway like provided that the bridge is strong enough to support a truck weighs 225 kN and

that cost is kept as low as possible.

IV. Deliverables & Project Management

Deliverable Deadline Method of Delivery Grade

Allocated

D1

Short report includes abstract, introduction

related to the all types of bridges with more

emphasis on truss bridges. Introduction of

West Point Bridge Designer software.

(maximum, 5 pages including the cover

page)

W7 –

Midnight

Dec. 8th

Upload report on

Moodle on the

specified link

2.5%

D2

Final report which includes in addition to

items mentioned above, final results,

discussion, conclusion, and references. The

report contains the following:

 Identification for all givens, constraints

and criteria (problem statement).

 Your West Point Bridge design showing

a print out of the bridge itself and the

software calculations

 other alternative designs (three designs

minimum) using the software.

 Your hand calculations for two of most

critical truss members (Joints and

Sectoins).

 Comparison between your hand

calculations and software calculations.

 Discussion for the following:

- The reason of your choice of the best

design (cost, strength, etc.).

- Why there is a difference between

hand calculations and software

calculation?

- What is the systematic approach to

reduce cost?

W14-

Midnight

Jan. 26th

Upload update report

on Moodle on the

specified link (Turnitin

submission)

12.5%

D3

Final Presentation ( .PPT to be upload on

Moodle)

W15

PowerPoint

presentation uploaded

on Moodle and

presented in the class

10%

Total 25%

V. Plagiarism

 Reference to the students’ handbook.

VI. Marking Scheme

Deliverable 100% 85% 75% 60%

D1

Well written initial

report includes all

elements mentioned

in D1 above

Initial report includes

all items but lacks

clarity

Initial report lacks

clarity and missing

one element

Initial report lacks

clarity and missing

two items

100% 85% 75% 60%

D2 (refer to

table in last

page)

Updated D1 report

includes -

very neat design and

- lowest cost

compared to other

class sections

-Accurate hand

calculations

- Well written report

includes all the

required elements

Updated report

includes -

very neat design and

- 2nd lowest cost

compared to other

class sections

-Accurate hand

calculations.

- satisfactorily written

report includes all the

elements

Updated report

includes -

neat design and

- 3rd lowest cost

compared to other

class sections

-Accurate hand

calculations

- Poorly written

report includes some

of the elements

Updated report

includes

- acceptable design

and

- 4th lowest cost

compared to other

class sections

-hand calculations

with some mistake

- Very weak report

100% 85% 75% 60%

D3

excellent

presentation

good presentation acceptable

presentation

Weak presentation