Week 3 Experiment

The Tower

In order to build up the highest tower which can withstand the blow test, we decided to design a tower using playing cards and paper clips. The design chosen by the group is a triangulated tower with a base that surrounds the main tower to give it some structural support so that when blown, it won't easily collapse. 

The triangulated base supports as a base to secure the cards onto the ground firmly. The cards are then joined together in a triangular shape by paper clips. The reason why a triangular shape is chosen is so that more cards can be used to stack up making the tower taller.

Resulting Video:

When the tower was blown gently, the tower only swayed a little. But as soon as a huge blow was given, the tower collapse.

Week 2 Experiment

Advanced Structural Bridge Experiment

Experiment 1

For experiment 1, we decided to make a design as shown above so that the 'bridge' can hold a huge amount of load when applied. Besides that, it is also quite appealing aesthetic wise.

During the making Process

Resulting video:

The outcome is successful as it can withstand a few bag of papers as well as 2 people.

Experiment 2

The design chosen for the 2nd experiment is as shown above because we believe that with that kind of design, the 'bridge' can stay balance even if there is a heavy load applied.

Resulting Video:

The outcome of the experiment is a failure. Even though it didn't collapse, but as more load is added, the design started tilting to one side.

Experiment 3

The design for the paper 'bridge' is similar to that of last week's paper design except this time, instead of a spring, the insides of the paper is rolled paper stuffed in as many as possible, with the hope that it can withstand the heavy load.

Resulting video:

The outcome is quite a success. The paper got a little bit of compression but it is not totally squished.

Week 1 Experiment

Making Structural Bridge

Experiment 1

Materials:

• Skewers
• Hot glue gun
• Tray

Final Design:

The design we decide on is this 'span bridge'. The reason being for the force of the load to act on the centre and give a balance so that the 'bridge' won't collapse. 

Resulting Video:

The outcome is a failure because the design is not long enough for the sides of the design to sit properly on the tables.

Experiment 2

Materials:

• Skewers
• Elastic Band
• Tray

Final Design:

This design is used because we believe that this type of 'truss bridge' would hold up the load firmly.

Testing Process:

Structure with only 1 bag of paper

Structure wih 2 bag of paper

Structure collapse

Resulting Video:

In reality, the design could not withstand the load because the rubber joints did not join the skewers firmly, causing the bridge to collapse to one side.

 Experiment 3

Materials:

• Paper
• Tray

Final Design:

The paper design we made is wrapped up by more than 20 papers. It is design as shown above because we believe that by adding a few springs inside the rolled paper, it will give the papers a more firm 'bridge'.

Testing Process:

Structure with 2 bag of paper

Structure with 3 bag of paper

Structure with 4 bag of paper

Due to the structure not collapsing, a force 

is given in order for it to collapse

Resulting Video:

At the end, the design succeed the expoeriment.