Set up a real life scenario (such as the bridge over the Raritan River), analyze the needs for the structure (such as the maximum load supported by the structure) and design the structure to achieve the goal using a truss structure. Other structures are possible, but stick to the truss. In the final report and the presentation, include:

1. Design goal of the truss,

2. Geometric design of the truss (size, shape, element arrangement, etc.),

3. Determine the loads applied to the truss (as realistically as possible),

4. Calculate the weight of members and check that weight of each member is less than 10% of the smallest load applied to the truss. This will enable to neglect the weights of members.

5. Make the support of the truss to be simply supported (a pin and a roller),

6. Determine the member forces,

7. Select the materials used (to determine the Yong’s modulus and the yield stress1 ) and the cross sectional shapes and areas of the members,

8. Find out the stress (=member force/cross sectional area) in the members,

9. Check, for all members, if the stress is below yield stress (i.e., no plastic or permanent deformation),

10. Check, for the compressive members, if the member forces do not exceed the buckling (or Euler2 ) load.