Manila Folder Bridge Building

Criteria:

Build a structure that can support as much weight as possible over a 18" gap.

(Note: we will use magazines for "weights" and our "gap" will be positioned between two tables)

Constraints:Part 1

• Materials:
• 2 "letter size" Manilla folders
• 2' of masking tape (may not use any piece longer than 6")
• Weighing:
• Magazines will be used as "weights"
• Your "score" for our competition is determined by how many magazines your structure supports!
• Magazines will be added to your structure one at a time until "failure" is achieved.
• You may place magazines anywhere on your structure as long as:
• All magazines must rest between the two vertical edges of the gap your bridge is spanning (magazines must be over the "gap").
• No magazines may touch the tables (magazines may not be piled up to "self support" themselves).
• Construction Practices:
• Only one end of your design may have a "pinned" connection to the table top (ie. taped). The other end must act as if it were on a "roller" connection (ie. laying on the table top).
• Manila folders may not be layered more than 3 layers thick at any location.
• Parallel structural members may not touch directly (they can be connected via non parallel connection members (ex. a "ladder" style design))

Result:

We used a simple design to hold a magazine and used tape to hold the sides down of the structure.