Here I have complied what I believe to be the best list of websites that you will find useful. All of them have relevant model structure, bridge and tower information, some sell balsa and basswood, and others contain useful tips. Some of these sites have a specific competition or goal in mind, but you can always take the principles and adapt them to your needs.
Bridge and Tower Design:
Johns Hopkins Truss Simulator
This is a free program that allows you to design a virtual truss, add a load, and see where the forces end up. This may be a a bit difficult to understand, but very useful.
ABCD’s Bridge Design Tips for Kids
Pictures of balsa and spaghetti bridges, and a few tips.
Popsicle Bridges
Building a Popsicle-Stick Bridge (Web Archive)
How to build a popsicle bridge. Includes photos of several designs.
Companies that Sell Balsa and Basswood and other woods:
National Balsa
This is an online company that sells Balsa and Basswood among other things. This is where I get my Basswood these days.
Specialized Balsa
Specializes in Balsa wood, but also sells Bass and Birch, and many other wood accessories. They offer a selection service for Balsa that I have not seen anywhere else, so if you want to get specific wood densities check them out. I’ve ordered quite a bit of wood from them in the past.
Ocooch Hardwoods
I order quite a bit of Cherry and Birch plywood, and have ordered some Basswood in the past. They have great customer service and if you are looking for some fun woods, please check them out.
Balsa Wood Inc
Balsa Wood Inc sells a wide variety of shapes and sizes of Balsa wood. They have sticks, sheets, and blocks to fit your model making needs. I’ve never ordered from them.
Balsa Sheets from Midwest Products
Midwest was a big name in the game when I first got started building bridges. I haven’t bought anything from them in a long time, however.
Balsa Sheets from Amazon
For those who want the convivence of Amazon, here you go. This is an affiliate link and I will receive a small commission if you use this link.
Balsa Supply
Sells several different types of wood. Minimum order of $50.00. I’ve never used them.
Bridge Building Competitions
BalsaBridge.com
Website about an annual bridge competition. Contains many photos of bridges from past competitions. Also has many links to bridge sites.
International Bridge Building Contest
This competition is probably the biggest in the nation. Given rules and materials, you must design and build the most efficient bridge. Contains pictures of past bridges, as well as their efficiency scores.
Bridge Games:
Bridge Builder Games
In the mood for some fun? Check out this site.
Information about Balsa/Basswood:
Balsa Wood Bridge Info
Article explaining how to build a balsa bridge. Also has a chart comparing the strength of Balsa to other woods.
Interesting Facts About Balsa Wood
In-depth study on the properties of Balsa wood. Shows the three grain types, and explains their uses.
Wood Database (Balsa)
Great look at Balsa wood from the Wood Database, one of my new favorite websites.
Wood Database (Basswood)
Great look at Basswood from the Wood Database, one of my new favorite websites.
Kits and Software:
Pre-Engineering.com
Home of ModelSmart, and model bridge design program. Contains several pages of good information, including a model bridge project.
Trusses and Truss Design:
Bridge Basics
How to identify different trusses.
Truss Bridge Library
Explains how a truss works. Includes pictures of a Warren, Howe, and Pratt truss.
General Links:
Craft Stick Bending
Great resource for bending popsicle sticks and any other kind of wood. Highly recommended that you check out this website for a simple method for bending wood for your arch bridges or other projects.
Engineering Education Service Center
The Engineering Education Service Center provides service and resources for mentors and pre-engineering students.
BridgeSite.com
Has links to many aspects of real and model bridges. Includes a message board.
Hub Hobby Shop
Resource of links about all aspects of modeling. Includes a online store.
This is a link to my bridge video on youtube: (if you want you can put it on the links page)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoLUJyKEXT4
I added your video to my Balsa Bridge Video section:
http://www.garrettsbridges.com/videos/balsa-bridge-videos
thanks gb
We are a specialized bridge engineering company based in North Vancouver, Canada. Here is a link to our monthly quiz modeled on some of our many interesting projects. The idea is to share some practical principles with anyone who is interested in the art of bridge/structural engineering. If you find this useful, you can add a link on your webpage for interested students to get easy access to this resource.
http://www.infinity-engineers.com/infinityquiz/?page=quiz
Thanks,
Raj
Hi Garrett
Please consider my site http://www.pioneeringcompetitions.com as a resource link on your site. I’m doing engineering skills for Boy Scouts, Girl Scout, Home Schoolers ect. I have your site on my resource page, is that OK Please advise.
Thanks Brad
i hope u wont mind if i share your material with my followers as well.. this is good stuff!
Where can I downlond the west point bridge designer?
thank
http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/download.htm
Do you have any idea where I could buy a large set of foam or plastic blocks that would be used to build an arch bridge? I want it to be as large as possible, up to 5 or 6 feet tall even. I haven’t found anything like it on the internet, yet.
Sarah, I don’t fully understand what you need. Are you needing something to bend wood on for the arch bridge? What exactly are the foam or plastic blocks going to be used for?
For modeling and experimenting with roof trusses, check out:
http://design.medeek.com/calculator/calculator.pl
This is a very helpful site that has helped me with my bridge project. My restrictions are very specific and I thought I was going to be in a hole trying to make a design following them and I then found this site and was able to find a way. Thanks again GarretBridges!
-MilkMan