Students are presented with a brief history of bridges as they learn about the three main bridge types: beam, arch and suspension. They are introduced to two natural forces tension and compression common to all bridges and structures. Throughout history, and today, bridges are important for connecting people to resources, places and other people. Students become more aware of the variety and value of bridges around us in our everyday lives.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Bacteria and other microorganisms cover nearly every surface on earth, including the surfaces we build and maintain. Ocean piers are unique sites at the intersection of terrestrial, aquatic, and human-built environments. Saltwater spray, inclement weather, and pollutants make piers a harsh environment for bacteria. Together, these factors suggest that piers house a unique microbiome. Researchers recently conducted a study to characterize the microbiomes found on pier surfaces. On nine piers along the coast of Hong Kong, the researchers found diverse microbiomes that were rich in novel bacterial species. Surface material (metal versus concrete) was the strongest factor influencing the bacterial community structure. Although the overall abundance was low, corrosion-associated bacteria were more prevalent on metal surfaces, and high-touch surfaces like handrails and poles had more human skin-associated microbes than other surfaces..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

Students learn about the many types of expenses associated with building a bridge. Working like engineers, they estimate the cost for materials for a bridge member of varying sizes. After making calculations, they graph their results to compare how costs change depending on the use of different materials (steel vs. concrete). They conclude by creating a proposal for a city bridge design based on their findings.

Students learn about the types of possible loads, how to calculate ultimate load combinations, and investigate the different sizes for the beams (girders) and columns (piers) of simple bridge design. Students learn the steps that engineers use to design bridges: understanding the problem, determining the potential bridge loads, calculating the highest possible load, and calculating the amount of material needed to resist the loads.

Students take a hands-on look at the design of bridge piers (columns). First they brainstorm types of loads that might affect a Colorado bridge. Then they determine the maximum possible load for that scenario, and calculate the cross-sectional area of a column designed to support that load. Choosing from clay, foam or marshmallows, they create model columns and test their calculations.

Students learn about the major factors that comprise the design and construction cost of a modern bridge. Before a bridge design is completed, engineers provide overall cost estimates for construction of the bridge. Students learn about the components that go into estimating the total cost, including expenses for site investigation, design, materials, equipment, labor and construction oversight, as well as the trade-off between a design and its cost.