Overhead Freeway Sign
For this project I worked with three other people. Our task was to build a road sign support structure that would withstand severe wind conditions, hold a good amount of weight, and be wide and tall enough for a four lane highway (40 cm in width, 15 cm in height). First we had to research the best way to build these signs. We found that triangles were the strongest shape because they handle compression and tension very well. At the intersections (vertices) there are equal and opposite forces working, making triangles very stable. We also discovered that there were more than one type of road sign support. Double column, double support has a column on either side of the freeway, and has two support bars running above the road to hold the sign. Double column, single support has a column on either side of the freeway, but has one support bar going across. A single column, double support has one column on one side of the freeway and two support bars above the road. A single column, single support is the same, but with one support bar above the road. Accompanying the scale model road sign we had to build, we also needed a budget (real life values and classroom values) and a professional business proposal.
This project was sort of challenging. It was difficult to choose what type of road sign support to build, how to build it, and how to calculate the amount of materials needed to build it in real life and to scale. I think I was a pretty good team member. Our team worked very well together and we finished in a timely manner. The only goal we need to look out for next time is to keep a better eye on our finances. We ran out of money, but that did not prevent us from completing the project.
This project was sort of challenging. It was difficult to choose what type of road sign support to build, how to build it, and how to calculate the amount of materials needed to build it in real life and to scale. I think I was a pretty good team member. Our team worked very well together and we finished in a timely manner. The only goal we need to look out for next time is to keep a better eye on our finances. We ran out of money, but that did not prevent us from completing the project.