Balsa Wood Bridge Structural Test

For structures class we were assigned to design, build and test a balsa wood truss bridge.  I chose to use a slightly modified Warren truss as the bridge portion.  I reinforced the horizontal bridge with 4 vertical towers based on the Warren truss design which served to support a small metal cable used to reinforce the compression loads with tensile strength.  In the end, the main horizontal truss cords snapped causing the truss to twist, breaking all critical joints and falling to the ground.  The total sustained weight before yielding was 61.6 lbs.  Here is a video of my test.