One of a range of experiment modules that fit to the Structures platform (STS1, available separately), this product helps students to understand how loads affect support reactions of a suspended beam bridge, also known as a Gerber beam bridge or articulated bridge. This bridge design differs from some others in that is statically determinate yet may have large central spans. This product shows students how to indicate the bridge reactions in the form of influence lines. The bridge has two outer ‘anchor’ sections, each on two supports. The anchor sections each have a short cantilever that supports a short central suspended section. The four bridge supports include pointers that work with the scale on the platform for accurate positioning. Load cells in the supports and bridge structure measure the reactions to the loads.

Students apply loads across to any position on the bridge and measure the resulting support reactions and the internal reactions between the cantilever and suspended sections. They use textbook equations to predict the reactions, comparing them with measured results. This helps confirm the textbook equations' reliability and the experiment results' accuracy.

The load cells connect to the USB interface hub of the Structures platform for computer display and data acquisition.

Learning Outcomes

• Introduction to the suspended beam (or Gerber) bridge
• Support reactions for an increasing point load and a uniformly distributed load (UDL)
• How loads affect bridge support reactions and internal reactions between the cantilever and suspended sections
• Influence lines for supports and internal reactions due to a load moving across the beam structure
• The Principle of Superposition

Key Features

• One of a range of experiment modules that teach structures principles
• Fits to the Structures platform for ergonomic use and space-saving storage
• Simplified version of a realistic structure to give students an understanding of real-life structures
• Three load cells to measure support and internal reactions at key positions on the bridge
• Includes multiple loads for many combinations of loads, including uniformly distributed loads (UDLs)
• Supplied with a storage tray to keep smaller items safe
• Works with user-friendly software (VDAS^®)

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