Name ____________________________________ Geometry L1 Unit B PBA

BRIDGES

The symmetrical supports on bridges are sides of congruent triangles, as seen on the
bridge above. After Tropical Storm Sandy, many bridges in the northeast suffered damage by
the strong winds and high water levels. Imagine you are a civil engineer, who will be sent out to
inspect the supports of this bridge. You will be equipped with tools that can very accurately
measure angles and sides. It will take you five minutes to make each angle measurement and
fifteen minutes to measure a segment.
Which sides and angles would you choose to measure in order to be sure that the triangles
are still congruent (and thus that the bridge is still stable)? You want to make a plan that will
be as efficeint as possible. Write a report to the Department of Transportation, detailing your
plan. In this report, be sure to include the following:

a. A diagram of 2 important pairs of triangular supports on the bridge, like the one
below. (5 points)

b. A list of the sides and the angles you plan to measure. (5 points)
c. An explanation of WHY you chose those sides and angles to measure. (15 points)
d. A final conclusion: How long will it take to complete the project? (5 points)
Student self-assessment on analyzing: ______________ and presentation:________________

Limited Emerging Present Complex

I had trouble making
sense of the information I
was given.
Analyzing
I did not organize the
information.
I solved part of the
problem.
I made sense of some of
the information I was
given.
I loosely organized the
information.
I used the information to
partially solve the
problem.
I made sense of most of I made sense of all of the
the information I was information I was given.
given.
I organized the
I organized the information.
information.
I used the information to
I used the information to solve the problem AND
solve the problem. the time to make the
measurements is as small
as possible.

Presentation is difficult to Presentation is fairly clear
Presentation follow. and concise with labels
and visuals as needed to
assist understanding.
Presentation addresses
Presentation is very clear any questions or details
and concise with labels the owner of the
and visuals as needed to company may ask.
assist understanding.
Presentation is very clear
and concise with labels
and visuals as needed to
assist understanding.