STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BRIDGES & SKYSCRAPERS

Recommended for ages 8 to 16 years

323 pieces

Do you ever wonder how bridges span huge distances and how skyscrapers stay standing? Structural engineers use physics and their knowledge of the properties of building materials and geometric shapes to design structures with sufficient strength and stability.

With Structural Engineering Bridges & Skyscrapers, you can learn the basics of structural engineering by conducting a series of 20 model-building experiments! Each model demonstrates a basic principle of mechanical physics or structural engineering in a hands-on way.

Start out with small models that demonstrate how structural elements can be attached together to maximize the strength of a structure for a fixed amount of material used. Learn about basic structural elements including columns, beams, trusses, plates, arches, shells and catenary. Explore the forces acting on structural components including tension, compression, shear and bending.

Move onto building more complex models of trusses, roofs and small buildings. Experiment with different types of bridge construction: a truss bridge, arch bridge, cantilever bridge, rope bridge and suspension bridge. Finally, build models of towering skyscrapers. What is the tallest tower you can build using only the pieces included in the kit?

Learn about the strength and stiffness of materials. See how structural engineers optimize factors to maximize safety, and minimize cost and the risk of structural failure.

A 44-page, full-color manual guides you through model building with step-by-step illustrated instructions.

• Delve into the science behind the structures that make up the modern world!
• Modular building kit for experimenting with physics and structural engineering.
• Build and conduct experiments on 20 structural models to learn about
  
  Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers
  
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• Examine structural engineering elements and the forces acting on them.
• Learn basic structural elements—columns, beams, trusses, plates, arches, shells and catenary.
• Explores forces acting on structural components—tension, compression, shear and torsion.
• Push your new knowledge to the limits – See how high you can build; how much weight your bridges can hold.
• Includes 323 building pieces and a 44-page, fully-illustrated and detailed manual.
• Award winning: Parents’ Choice® Gold Award.
• Featured in Purdue University’s Engineering Gift Guide.
• Package measures 15 x 12 x 4 inches (LxWxH).