Cost Comparisons
Bridge supports are placed during construction.Copyright Utah Department of Transportation, http://www. udot.utah.gov/ main/f?p=100:pg:120322710 40102713944::::V,T:,570
Students learn about the many types of expenses associated with building a bridge. Working like engineers, they estimate the cost for materials for a bridge member of varying sizes. After making calculations, they graph their results to compare how costs change depending on the use of different materials (steel vs. concrete). They conclude by creating a proposal for a city bridge design based on their findings.
Bridges are big projects in our world, and they are often municipal projects that we all pay for with our taxes. Engineers are involved in all phases of bridge design and creation, including their projected cost. Engineers make comparative cost analyses with the objective to determine the optimum choices in materials, design and construction process. The many different components of a cost analysis affect the amount of freedom that engineers have to produce a completed product. Then engineers work collaboratively with a team of people to make sure the design is completed in a timely manner within budget.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- List several factors that influence the cost of a bridge.
- Estimate the costs of model bridge project.
- Describe the importance for engineers of balancing the cost of the bridge with the design of the bridge.