Model Bridge Design
Tips and advice on designing and building model bridges from Balsa or Basswood is what this website is all about. I have been building model bridges for over 5 years. Read more about me.
Take a look at some of my bridge projects
The tips jar full of bridge building tips
Pictures and plans of popsicle bridges
Links and resources for bridge stuff
Check out the new bridge photo galleryToothpick Bridges
For information about building toothpick bridges, see The Toothpick BridgeWhy build bridges?
Building model bridges is a fun way to learn about engineering. You learn how the different forces that act in a bridge, and how a truss spreads those forces throughout the bridge.Model bridge building has been my hobby for the past 5 years. Over that time I have been over 100 bridges. After spending hours working on a bridge, being able to test it to failure is very cool. I love to stretch my bridges to the maximum and see where and why they break.
I always get excited over a new challenge. I love to figure out how to make the most efficient bridge for a given situation. It is my love for model bridge building that led to the creation of this website.
How to build a model bridge
Because there are so many different types of bridge projects, I can only give general hints and tips to point you in the right direction.Making a model bridge boils down to two things: coming up with a design and then building the bridge. Both are equally important to the success of a model bridge. A well built, but poorly designed bridge will not hold very much weight, and vis-versa.
The design of a bridge is mainly in the truss. The truss of a bridge is how it spreads out the load. The three most common types of trusses are the Warren, Pratt, and Howe. Learn more about truss design.
The second part of making a model bridge is the construction. Of course, the method varies with the type of bridge and what materials you can use.
You can find many tips on different bridge building topics at the Tips Center.
Sometimes I get asked what is my favorite bridge that I have built. I would have to say that my best bridge, and favorite, is the Fernbank Bridge.
I am always looking to improve this website. If you have any comments, questions, or ideas please fill out my contact form.
Thanks, and have fun building bridges!
