Subject:
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Re: Long Span Suspension Bridge?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:22:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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16144 times
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In lugnet.trains, Scott Lyttle wrote:
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In lugnet.trains, Dave Sterling wrote:
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Stacy and I are designing a small layout for Brickworld this year and we
want/need to have a bridge in the layout. We’ve been working to design the
layout using banquet tables (so I don’t have to bring my own tables), yet we
still want an open space in the center. The way we have it designed
necessitates us to try and span 40 inches (128 studs) unsupported.
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SNIP
If you do want to make a truss bridge, I recommend using layers of plates (as
there is a greater surface adhesion (clutch power) of plates when compared to
bricks. One thing that I have found that works well to to use two layers of
plate between two technic bricks. The spacing of two plates between two
technic bricks is such that you can position a 3-stud wide technic beam
upright, where the technic bricks will match holes 1 and 3 perfectly. You
will most undoubtedly need one baseplate on either side of the span to build
some supports.
My bridge has been holding together well, and is not covered with plexiglass
sneezeguards on our layouts, so it has born the bront of many children’s
fingers leaning against it.
I’m trying to remember if I’ve brought the bridge to a BrickFest. I can send
you some pictures if you’re interested.
Scott Lyttle
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Wow! This has all been great information and the pictures are wonderful. I’m
really excited to get a closer look at some of these bridges at various shows
this summer. :-) I might even have to get out to somewhere where SCLTC is
displaying sometime!
So, last night I went home and quickly put together a 92-stud prototype bridge
and tested it. My design works, but needs a little reinforcement to make it
viable for the long haul. I’ll probably add plates to strengthen it and maybe
try sandwiching the plates the track sits on using the upright Technic beam
method Scott mentioned.
More Images
The next step is to do a Bricklink purchase to get the pieces for the 128-stud
bridge. The scaling from 92-studs to 128-studs shouldn’t be a big deal. This
bridge held the pictured engine and three hopper cars with no noticeable
deflection. The cars weren’t moving though, so I imagine I will have to
reinforce it more to deal with the vibration. I don’t want it crashing down in
the middle of a show. Oh the horror! The Minifig carnage! Minifig bodies
everywhere screaming for help as they are trapped inside a burning Santa Fe
dining car. Yeah...not a pretty sight.
Any thoughts on what I have so far? I’d really like to try one of those cool
cable-stayed bridges sometime, but I’ll need to get a closer look at how the
cables are held in place.
Also, I just want to thank everyone for all the great information and
enthusiasm. All of you are helping push me to do things I never dreamed I would
do with LEGO. All of your creations are an inspiration to Stacy and I and we
are so glad we’re part of such a cool group of people. In short...AFoL’s rock.
Thanks and Play Well!
-Dave
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Long Span Suspension Bridge?
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| (...) Dave- If you want your truss construction to actually support the bridge, you should convert your trapezoids into triangles (i.e., break them up by adding verticals in the middle). (Actually, the way many of us do this still makes trapezoids, (...) (16 years ago, 24-Jan-08, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Long Span Suspension Bridge?
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| (...) Dave, I built a 128-stud, truss style bridge for NGLTC shows that's become a staple of the layout. I use ZNAP as structural "members" to go over the tracks. The bridge does not use any support other than the compression between two tables. (...) (16 years ago, 23-Jan-08, to lugnet.trains)
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