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Science Fair Project Earthquake Simulation Physics Tyler Soto

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Statement of the Problem Will a bridge survive better in earthquake tremors with triangle support structures holding it up, or with octagon or square support structures holding it up?

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Project Overview I 'am testing how different support structures increase or decrease the stability of a bridge.

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Research From my research I have concluded that triangle, octagon, and square are the main support systems for bridges From the research I have concluded that a thin piece of granite would be the best test surface for the bridge The research that I have done indicates that a triangle support structure should hold the bridge up the best

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Variables Independent variable: The triangle, square and octagon support structures Dependent variables: How long it takes for the granite to crack/fail on the variable supports of the bridge support structures. Constant variables: 2 min of the earthquake Control group: Two square bases for holding the control bridge up.

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Hypothesis If the bridge can withstand an earthquake, then the triangle would be the best because it has a point at the end which will allow the bridge to move in a tremor. The point of the triangle would allow the bridge to move naturally, while a flat structure (octagon) would allow it to crack and fail.

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Materials Materials Six pieces of granite 12 long x thick x 2 width Shake weight table 2 Wooden triangles 2 wooden squares 2 wooden octagons Adult supervision required Safety equipment (gloves, glasses and long sleeves)

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Procedure Have a parent or guardian with you during the experiment Place shake weight table on a stable place for experiment Put both structure blocks on the shake weight Then put piece of granite on the two structure blocks Place the structure blocks (triangle, square, and octagon) to in a place where the granite is properly supported Start the stopwatch and move the shake weight to start the earthquake, simultaneously. Stop the stopwatch once the granite falls and the bridge fails. Record data from test (how long it took for the bridge to fail) Repeat step 3 through 7 with octagon and squares both two times Record data and graph

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Photos

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Data/Observations (Analyzes) Support Structure Tests

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Conclusion From my experiment the triangle holds the bridge up the longest

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Possible Experimental Errors The amount of pressure varied to the shake board because this would be based on human error and changes to arm pressure.

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Applications and Recommendations My results could help with building new bridge structures by improving stability during earthquakes. I learned and recommend that bridge supports must be able to move freely or the bridge will fail easily under movement or stress.

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Works Cited "Earthquake Simulation." Bay Bridge Info. Web. 10 May 2011.. "Earthquake Simulation." Bay Bridge Info. Web. 10 May 2011.. "Earthquake Simulation to Test Model Bridge: Get Ready for Serious Video - Popular Mechanics." Automotive Care, Home Improvement, Tools, DIY Tips - Popular Mechanics. Web. 10 May 2011.. "Earthquake Simulation to Test Model Bridge: Get Ready for Serious Video - Popular Mechanics." Automotive Care, Home Improvement, Tools, DIY Tips - Popular Mechanics. Web. 10 May 2011.. "Seismic Simulation and Design of Bridge Columns under Combined Actions, and Implications or System Response." TRB - Research in Progress (RIP). Web. 10 May 2011.. "Seismic Simulation and Design of Bridge Columns under Combined Actions, and Implications or System Response." TRB - Research in Progress (RIP). Web. 10 May 2011..