The Wisor

Everything and anything and all that's in between!

[oblyvian]

I get the worst feeling in the world whenever I see somebody eating alone at a restaurant. Especially cute old people :s

I just want to sit down with them and listen to “back in the good ol’ days” stories. 

[teenagerposts]

[staypozitive]

[mlarrier]

Final Bawss: Bawss Out

Paul Heffernan, Michael Santini, Mervyn Larrier

Final Blog Post

            When bridge building commenced our group decided that we would be designing a warren truss styled bridge.  We came to the conclusion that this design offered the benefits of both being stable and relatively simple to construct.  After deciding upon this, careful preparations were made by sketching a highly accurate blueprint of the bridge.  Our group had some experience working with blueprints from our USMA design.  From our blueprint we were able to assemble all of our needed materials beforehand, which enabled us to begin the construction phase of the project earlier than expected. 

            Once the building phase of the project was initiated we quickly realized some of the problems associated with real life construction.  Although our blueprint was accurate, changes were needed to correct small measurement errors made when prepping our materials.  We sanded our pieces until they fit perfectly into our truss design.  After successfully constructing our bridge we considered adding extra supporting elements to the structure not originally included in our blueprint.  Using our remaining balsa wood, we lined the bottom of the decks with slabs of wood and created supports at critical joint areas.      

            During testing our bridge fared better than expected.  Compared to other groups’ bridges ours seemed flimsy.  Our choice in design proved to be well chosen, and definitely played a major role in the amount of bricks our bridge could support.  Our design allowed for the forces of compression and tension to act in our favor and aid in the support of the structure.  When the bridge failed it was due to a key critical error made during the building process.  In an attempt to provide a space in the center of the bridge where weights would be attached we neglected to reinforce this critical area with additional support.  If reinforcement was added to this key area our bridge could have possibly held more bricks than it did. Also, we were realized that we should have made the deck thicker. We believed that the deck couldn't be stacked; we were under the impression that using several pieces of wood would disqualify our bridge. However, had we done so (in a sandwich style like plywood: sheet, north to south grain, east to west grain, sheet), our bridge could have possibly held much more weight than it did.  Looking back on our bridge and the entire project, it has been quite amazing to learn just how much engineering can accomplish as well as just how much work goes into designing and building.  With the right knowledge, a fragile material such as balsa wood can be made into a remarkable structure that can support something more than a thousand times its own weight.  Physics: isn't it amazing?

[mlarrier]

The Bridge

[mlarrier]

The Test

[mlarrier]

The aftermath

[mlarrier]

Finito (Bridges)

So the bridge is finally finished, and testing is next week. Its going to be amazing

[mlarrier]

Top Deck Bawssing

So we've finished the top deck and it's trusses and we've secured it to the bottom deck and trusses. Some of the trusses are a bit crooked but no biggie, its all good. For some reason, the top trusses are covered. I have no comment on the matter. I also have no comment on the SantiPaul duo not letting me clean up the bridge but watevs, its cool. Bawss out.

[mlarrier]

Bridge Bawsses

So the bridge is coming along nicely. All our trusses are made and we're working on the top deck. Bridge seems surprising strong, considering its made of Balsa. Summary, everything is looking up so far.

[teen-derp]

[mlarrier]

YES!

[teenagerposts]

[woooozy-blog]

[fuckintittysprinkles]

[mlarrier]

Bridge Bawsses still at it

So, we built the road deck, and began building the Trusses. It looks like a good design, but Chandler's bridge is one sturdy bridge. The game has been elevated to the highest of levels, but the Bawsses still got a hold on the higher placing. Most people don't even have any real building done. I keep forgetting to bring the much sturdier Gorilla Glue. Have to get that, because this glue we're using is absolutely atrocious. Need to reinforce the joints. That's all for now. Bawss out!

[mlarrier]

BRIDGES: They Be Scaled!

So the Bridge Bawses began working out the measurements for their bridge last week. Scaled everything up and then began to cut the pieces. No gluing yet. Soon. Soon.

[mlarrier]

Bridge Bawsses (Balsa Bridges)

So we began designing our bridges today and decided to go with a continuous warren with two truss sets: one on top and one on the bottom. Seems legit.  Tomorrow we work out how we'll work with the balsa wood (which is, btw, flimsy as hell).

[aether-net]

Fiber Optics Installations by Carlo Bernardini

Bernardini uses the fiber optic since 1996, to transform dark spaces into abstract light environments. His site-specific installations are based on triangular forms, which lines passes through walls, floors, façades and they may be seen floating between buildings. Each installation has its own precise viewpoint, from which it can be seen as a two-dimensional rhomboidal form.