Brick Journeys - Bridge Build
The bridge build activity is an interactive station, where visitors can try to build a bridge over a gap - to learn how different bridge building techniques work. Custom elements are supplied, which will need to be supplemented by an on-site build.
Included Elements
A selection of LEGO ‘Soft Bricks’ are supplied. These are house brick sized and designed for children under 18 months. They also have some, but very little, strength when connected together. This makes them perfect to explain how a bridge should be constructed.
A free-standing graphic panel, explaining to visitors how to use the bridge build activity.
Digital designs on how to build the bridge piers (see below)
Digital assets to allow you to create your own ‘cheat sheets’ or information panels (see below)
Visitor Journey
The visitor journey can be very simple. At a starter level, the visitors can approach the bridge build station and use the bricks provided to create a bridge.
More complicated journeys can be aided by docents or visitor experience staff. Using the sheets provided, extra challenges can be made, such as
What if a ship needs to pass under the bridge?
What if the water is too deep to create extra piers?
Venue requirements
Two bridge piers will need to be created. These are sized so that they will fit all of the different bridge types
These can be created from any material, but painted MDF is suggested. The overall weight of the bridge sections is very low
As can be seen below, some dimensions are important - but others can vary according to needs. This also means that the activity can be themed. The sides of the piers could be sculpted to look like rock - or the base painted to look like water, for instance.
The two piers can sit on the floor, but it is recommended that they are placed on a small plinth - so that the bricks don’t need to be placed on the ground.
A sketchup model of these piers (with dimensions) can be downloaded here. This is also available as a DXF file here.
As well as the pier dimensions, the spacing between these is important. This should be 480mm.
In addition, a separate storage compartment should be made for the bricks. It is recommended that this is placed next to the bridge build activity.
Suggested plinth design
Bridge Pier design - click to enlarge
Example Bridge Types and Techniques
A variety of bridge types can be built with the supplied bricks - as well as any types the visitors with to try. Suggested options are shown below, see also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bridge_types
Cantilever
Clapper Bridge
“If the gap to be covered is much wider than your bricks, you may need to add a central support. Many early bridges were created like this. Building this bridge is easy, just stack smaller bricks, then place larger ones across the gap. However, what if you want to sail a boat underneath the bridge - is there space? “
“One of the most famous cantilver bridges is the Forth Bridge in Scotland. This type of bridge balances the components of the bridge on either side of the base. So the weight of one half of the bridge is balanced by the other half of the bridge. To build this bridge, build each side of the bridge on its’ own. Place pieces on both sides of the base to balance them. Keep going until the bridge meets in the middle!”
An image of how the Forth Bridge was demonstrated to the public, 200 years ago! -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever_bridge#/media/File:Cantilever_bridge_human_model.jpg
An early Clapper bridge in the United Kingdom - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapper_bridge#/media/File:Tarr_Steps_01.jpg
