Bridge building glossary
Plain-words definitions of the terms in balsa bridge contests: span, chord, truss, tension, compression, buckling, gusset, efficiency, clear span and more.
Updated · 1 min read
Abutment or support. What the bridge rests on at each end.
Bearing. Where the bridge touches a support or where the load touches the bridge.
Brace. An extra stick that stops another from bowing or the bridge from twisting.
Buckling. A long thin stick that is pushed bowing sideways and suddenly losing strength. See preventing buckling.
Built-up member or laminated member. A member made by gluing sticks together along their length. See lamination.
Chord. The top or bottom long member of a truss.
Clear span. The open gap between the supports that the bridge must cross.
Clear space. An opening the bridge must leave free, for a rod, a plate or a vehicle.
Compression. A push that squeezes a member.
Deck. The surface that carries the load or the road. See deck or through truss.
Diagonal. A sloping member of a truss.
Efficiency. Load held divided by the bridge's mass. See the efficiency score.
End grain. The cut end of a stick, where the fibres open. Glue holds poorly on it.
Gusset. A small plate glued across a joint. See gussets.
Joint. Where members meet. See gluing joints.
Member. One stick or piece in a truss.
Span. The distance a bridge crosses.
Specific strength. Maximum load divided by self-weight. See specific strength.
Tension. A pull that stretches a member.
Truss. A frame of straight members joined to form triangles. See truss basics.