Structures Systems Suspension Bridge

PASCO’s Structures System offers realistic, hands-on tools for students to design and create life-like structures in the classroom. Perfect for design-based experimentation, these systems range in complexity from single trusses to dynamic kits. This guide explains and compares all of our Structure System options and accessories.

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Discover the Fundamentals of Structural Engineering

PASCO Structures let students mirror the work of real-world engineers with materials that are:

  • Ultra-Realistic: I-beams bend and behave like the real thing.
  • Scalable: Structural members are numbered by length for easy identification and design scaling.
  • Quantitative: Load Cells make real-time measurements of tension and compression.
  • Limitless: Universal kit components let students study structures of any complexity.

Streamline Builds with Proportional I-Beam Lengths

Every I-beam is labeled with a number that represents its length (1-6). These lengths are proportional to one another, allowing students to quickly substitute members or scale their structures to new heights. Structures are built by securing members to Connector pieces using easy-twist thumbscrews.

I-Beams

Make Live Measurements with PASCO Load Cells

Load Cells

Load Cells can be placed anywhere in a structure to measure forces, such as tension and compression. To place a Load Cell, simply remove an I-beam from the structure and replace it with a Load Cell attached to equal-length I-beams.

For Example: A Load Cell attached to two #2 beams is the same length as a #4 beam.

Types of Load Cells

PASCO Structures can be studied using either wired Load Cells or the Wireless Load Cell and Accelerometer.

Wired Load Cells are available in 5 N and 100 N models and require both an amplifier and an interface for data collection.

The Wireless Load Cell and Accelerometer connects to your device via Bluetooth and has a range of ±50 N.

Load Cell Types

PASCO Capstone™ Engineering Software

Load Cell Types

PASCO Capstone™ is advanced data-collection software that has been designed and optimized for use in physics and engineering labs. It provides both simple data collection and display features, as well as more advanced tools including:

  • Built-in Signal Generator
  • Live FFT and Oscilloscope displays
  • Video tracking and analysis tools
  • Complex curve and line fits
  • Coding sense & control

Start Simple… then Build BIG!

Start by building a simple truss; then expand your studies by constructing large-scale structures to measure and analyze. From skyscrapers and tower cranes to drawbridges and roller coasters, the possibilities are limitless when you build with PASCO Structures.

Tower Crane
Tied Arch
Angle Crane
Draw Bridge
Cable Stayed
Double Tied Arch

INTRODUCTORY STRUCTURES SETS

Great for learning the fundamentals of structural engineering.

Building Better Bridges Kit

Introduce students to the basics of bridge building and measuring forces with the Building Better Bridges Kit.

Truss Set

Construct and compare a variety of truss structures, ranging from a simple kingpost truss to a full deck truss.

Bridge Set

Build large trusses and bridges that span the length of a lab bench. Includes a flexible road bed and mini cars for studying dynamic loads that traverse a structure.

INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED STRUCTURES SETS

Best for advanced studies of large-scale, real-world structures.

Advanced Structures Set

Expand your Bridge Set to construct a wider collection of large structures, including tower and angle cranes, human arm and back models, and even a functioning catapult.

Large Structures Set

This set includes all the components from PASCO’s Advanced Structures Set, plus additional parts that can be used to build even bigger structures, such as skyscrapers, drawbridges, and roller coasters.

Human Structures Set

With more than 600 pieces, the Human Structures Set lets students construct and study models of the human arm, back, and legs. This set can be used as a standalone kit or combined with your existing PASCO Structures System.

COMPLETE EXPERIMENTS

Includes both building pieces and supporting equipment.

Shaking Tower Experiment

Designed for use with the 850 Universal Interface, the Shaking Tower Experiment includes all the sensors and structural components needed to study the effects of passive damping in modern towers and skyscrapers.

Basic Bridges

Master the basics of bridge construction and load analysis with the Basic Bridges Experiment. Construct and compare different designs, explore the effect of scale, and quantify tension and compression in structural members.

Bridge Vibrations Experiment

Designed for use with PASCO Capstone, the Bridge Vibrations Experiment teaches students how to measure bridge oscillations and compare the driving force to the resulting acceleration in a tied arch bridge.

MOTORIZED STRUCTURES

Build structures and use the //control.Node to operate servo and stepper motors.

Motorized Crane

Students program the Motorized Crane to rotate, raise and lower the boom, and turn on the electromagnet to pick up and move objects. The on-board //control.Node controls and powers the stepper and servo motors using Blockly coding embedded in PASCO software.

Motorized Drawbridge

Students can build this drawbridge from PASCO Structures, add a stepper motor and gears, and write Blockly code to raise and lower it. This bridge kit also includes a Wireless Load Cell/Accelerometer to measure tension and compression forces within the bridge while it moves.

StructureBOT

This versatile robot enables students to build several different configurations like front-wheel steering, rear-wheel steering, and with or without the gripper. Students will learn how to program StructureBOT movement using Blockly coding embedded in PASCO software.

ACCESSORIES & ANALYSIS

Sensors & Load Cells

Bring your structures to life with real-time measurements of tension and compression, displacement, and passive damping.

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Wireless Load Cell

Accessories & Mass Sets

Study structural responses to loads, experiment with speciality I-beams, or put your build to work with a variety of Structures System accessories.

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Accessories & Mass Sets

Materials Testing

Test individual members or whole structures with the PASCO Materials Testing System.

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Materials Bending Accessory

FEATURED LABS & TEACHING SUPPORT

Building Better Bridges Experiments

Introduce students to the fundamentals of forces, equilibrium, and truss analysis with this complete lab collection.

Structures Labs Collection

Materials Testing Structures Labs

Perform a variety of materials tests using PASCO Structures and the Materials Testing System.

Materials Labs Collection

I-Beam Design Files for 3D Printing

For the PASCO Structures system - print your own I-Beams. Modify the design, and test your own design using a Materials Testing System.

3D Design Files

Cross-Section of a Structures I-Beam

View a diagram showing the cross-section of the beams that are used in the Structures sets that are offered by PASCO scientific.

I-Beam Cross Section

Additional Resources

If you have additional questions regarding our equipment or software, contact PASCO Technical Support. We're here to help.

Engineering Education and the PASCO Structures System

The PASCO Structures System is designed for teaching principles of engineering and mechanical design in civil and mechanical engineering education courses. These structures can be used to construct bridges, trusses, and other models to help students understand concepts such as forces, moments, and structural stability. PASCO Structures are perfect for civil, structural, and mechanical teaching applications, allowing students to experiment with different designs and configurations to see how they affect the behavior of the structure in real time.