I have a project where i need to build a bridge more than 36″ long using 3 pieces of printer paper, 6 popsicle sticks and about a foot of tape. I have tossed some ideas around and tried out a few. Each one failed. I need help, any ideas?
Digital Insanity
I don’t see how that is possible. 6 popsicle sticks end to end add up to about 2 feet. The paper adds up to 33 inches.
Unless it has to support zero weight. I’d cut the paper lengthwise into 2 strips each, roll them very tightly lengthwise and use the tape to keep them that way. Insert one tube into the other until you have a tube that is longer than 36 inches and about 1/4 to 1/2 inches in diameter. lay the tube between two supports 36″ apart.
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Take your 6 Popsicle sticks which are about 6 inches long and use a razor knife and split each of them into 3 slivers. Each popsicle stick should produce about inches of stick then. Do this to all six and you have at least 108 inches.
Use your printer paper (8.5″ x 11″) cut into length long strands. The first sheet cut lengthwise into 4 eleven inch strands, each about 2.1 inches wide. This will be your bridge platform. lay them end to end until you reach 36 inches and cut off excess.
Cut the other two pieces into same 2.1 wide x 11 inch long strands. These are your walls of the bridge. So the bridge will be Set your three 36 inch long sticks in a parallel tripod beam fashion with two members being the bottom of the bridge ( tension ) and one strand on the top.
Take a look at this pic I drew (I’m not an artist) :
http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww43/biire2u/untitled-1-1-1-1-12.jpg?t=1263679068
Set your three 36 inch long sticks (using the tape in smallest piece possible to join the ends of each popsicle stick strands in a parallel tripod fashion with two members being the bottom of the bridge ( tension ) and one strand on the top. Use the tape cut into small piece to fasten sticks to the paper and each other at same time. See the detail on pic. This way tape does double duty. Make sure none of your joints overlap at same place on any two walls. That will make wall buckle easy .
The paper in this is actually the walls of the bridge. The sticks just stiffen the paper edges and give it more compressive strength along the top single strand.