Matchsticks can make any number of things, including a boat to test buoyancy, a bridge to test stability or just a scale model.
Matchsticks are one of those items that can be used to build things. Depending on a list of variables, such as what kind of project you are making, matchsticks are always a good material for a building project idea. One very fulfilling project that you can attempt with matches is building a beam bridge and then testing its strength when you are finished. This can be done pretty quickly and you don't need a lot of extra materials besides a large amount of matchsticks and glue.
Instructions
1. Plan your bridge out on paper first, decide on the dimensions and how large you want it to be. A good range is about a foot long, that way you don't need to get a crazy amount of matchsticks. Three or four boxes should work fine.
2. Build from the bottom up. A bridge needs its supports first. Work on the actual bridge after the support rods can be built. A good thickness would be ten matches thick for the supports, as they need to hold up the rest of the bridge. Make sure that in this part of the bridge, the matches are standing up, as it will give extra support. You will need to build four supports for this type of bridge.
3. Glue the matches together. Putting glue on the top and bottom tends to make the matches lose support quickly, gluing between each match is a little tedious, but it produces the best results.
4. Build the beam of the bridge separately and attach it later. The beam should also be thick, as it will support weight. A good thickness is five matchsticks by five matchstickes with the matches laying down.
5. Allow time for the beam and supports to dry. Keep them apart until the end.
6. Glue the beam onto the supports. Wait a few hours for the glue to totally dry before testing the finished bridge.
7. Place weights in the center of your bridge and slowly add more weight. No matter how powerful the bridge is, eventually it will collapse. Keep track and see if you can build a more supportive bridge next time.
Tags: amount matchsticks, beam bridge, good thickness, with matches, your bridge
