Balsa Bridge Building Contest

Both physics 11 and physics 12 classes all participate in the Balsa Bridge building contest. The Balsa Bridge Building Contest is performed to test the craftmanship of each student, with specific rules and regulations. These bridges are constructed out of balsa wood which, fortunately for the Notre Dame Regional students is only a couple blocks away from the school. The rules can be seen HERE. Check out photos of last years bridges HERE. This contest has been going on since 1980, hundreds of bridges have been tested and all are pushed to their limit until they break. Their main primary goal in this contest is to hold as much weight as they can with their constructed balsa bridge. Also, there are awards for the best looking bridge, best craftmanship, and most unusual looking bridge. With the use of balsa wood, a hand saw, and some glue the combined classes of Physics 11 and 12 found out why bridges are one of the best structures man has ever made.

This bridge below is the current record holder for the most weight held.

Vancouver is the city of many interesting bridges here is my favourite.

To view more Vancouver bridges check it out HERE.

To view many unusual and amazing bridges all over the world click HERE.

Here is the aftermath of our bridges, one by one they broke due to the heavy weight that we all tried to achieve. The weights, which consisted of metal weights and sand were supported by chains which held up a simple garbage bucket which was supported by a car that was placed onto each bridge. A fixed amount of weight was placed into the garbage bucket and we all waited patiently untill all the bridges gave in.

We have many sponsors for this contest one of which is APEG.

Check out this neat site explaining how bridges work! Check it out HERE.