Free Software Lets You Design a Truss Bridge

Download the award-winning West Point Bridge Designer from the US Military Academy web site at http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/ . The goal is to design a bridge having the lowest possible cost that will stand up to a load test with a simulated truck. Get it wrong and the bridge collapses! You can submit your design over their web site to see how it stands up to others.

My first attempt (pictured) at an estimated cost of ~ $189k placed a little better than average in the open competition. The best I've done so far with a Warren deck design is $146k. Can you beat it? It's more fun than "space invaders" and you actually learn what it takes to make a strong bridge.