Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering Bridges & Skyscrapers

Do you ever wonder how bridges span huge distances and how skyscrapers stay standing?

Structural engineers use physics, along with their knowledge of the properties of building materials and geometric shapes, to design structures with sufficient strength and stability.

With this Thames & Kosmos Bridges & Skyscrapers kit, you can learn the basics of structural engineering by conducting a series of 20 model-building experiments. Each model demonstrates a basic principle of mechanical physics or structural engineering in a hands-on way.

With this 323-piece Bridges and Skyscrapers kit, you can:

• Start out with small models that demonstrate how structural elements can be attached together to maximize the strength of a structure for a fixed amount of material used
• Learn about basic structural elements including columns, beams, trusses, plates, arches, shells, and catenary
• Explore the forces acting on structural components including tension, compression, shear, and bending
• Move onto building more complex models of trusses, roofs, and small buildings.
• Experiment with different types of bridge construction, such as a truss bridge, an arch bridge, a cantilever bridge, a rope bridge, and a suspension bridge
• Build models of towering skyscrapers - what is the tallest tower you can build using only the pieces included in this kit?
• Learn about the strength and stiffness of materials
• See how structural engineers optimize factors to maximize safety, minimize cost, and minimize the risk of structural failure

This Bridges and Skyscrapers kit includes a 36-page, full-color manual that guides you through model building with step-by-step illustrated instructions. For ages 8-14.

• Take a look at this experiment sample manual for a sneak-peek!