PENN BRIDGE
Advanced Bridge Building Simulator with Structural Analysis
Penn Bridge is a sophisticated bridge-building simulator developed in Java that combines engineering principles with interactive gameplay. This application allows users to design, build, and test bridge structures using realistic physics and structural analysis.
I developed Penn Bridge as a final project for my CS course, CIS 1200. The project demonstrates advanced Java programming techniques, object-oriented design patterns, and real-time physics simulation. Users can place joints, connect them with steel members, and test their designs with a virtual traveler crossing the bridge.
🔧 Interactive Design Tools
Place joints with precision grid snapping, connect them with steel members, and use selection tools to modify your design in real-time.
⚡ Real-Time Physics
Advanced structural analysis engine calculates forces, stress, and identifies potential failure points as you build.
🎯 Bridge Testing
Test your designs with a virtual traveler crossing the bridge, revealing structural weaknesses and member failures.
📊 Force Visualization
Color-coded members show compression (red) and tension (blue) forces, with dashed lines indicating structural failures.
💾 Save & Load System
Save your bridge designs to .bridge files and share them with friends or load sample bridges for inspiration.
🔧 Java SE 11+ & Swing GUI
Built with modern Java using Swing framework for cross-platform desktop application development.
⚙️ MVC Architecture
Implements Model-View-Controller pattern with Command pattern for undo/redo functionality.
🧮 Physics Engine
Real-time structural analysis with force calculation and collision detection algorithms.
🎨 Custom Graphics
AWT-based rendering system with real-time force visualization and interactive elements.
System Requirements
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 11 or higher
- Windows, macOS, or Linux operating system
- Minimum 4GB RAM recommended
- Graphics card with Java 2D support
How to Run
- Download the JAR file to your computer
- Ensure Java is installed on your system
- Double-click the JAR file or run:
java -jar pennbridge.jar - Start building amazing bridges!