Week 2 - Principles 1: Interactive Structures: Systems: Trusses + Beams + Columns + Frames

Exercise 2: Horizontal Spans

Teamed up with:
Simon
Sang
Jonathon

Part 1: Kebab Stick + Super Glue Structure

https://youtu.be/TdPFxlKzcUc

Here, we designed a tightly stacked structure that are placed geometrically in the form of a star to disperse the tension amongst the shape. Held together with super glue, the kebab sticks were snapped in half to save on materials whilst effectively maintaining its shape with little to no changes after load is applied.

So far, it hasn't broken. But this is the maximum we have attempted to put onto the structure. It could take on more.

Load Efficiency= 193.5/36g = 536250kg

Part 2: Kebab Stick + Elastic Structure

https://youtu.be/NvPbpd2_c6g

In this model, the design was based off of the triangulated space-frame. Again, we snapped the kebab sticks in half to maximise the amount of materials if needed and combined 4 in a bunch for strength and stability. Unfortunately, the kebab stick halves wasn't evenly broken as we had hoped and therefore when attaching them together with the elastics, some seemed shorter. As a result, the pin joints flexed easily through minor movements and when load was applied. 
When the ream loads were placed onto the structure, the kebab sticks already showed signs of leaning. We realised that the pin joint was not secured as properly to the point of it snapping. 

Load Efficiency = 7.5kg/103g = 72.8155339806kg = 72.8kg (1d.p.)

Part 3: Paper Structure

https://youtu.be/ZbMl6SFKB3c

In this final model, we aimed for a more openly spread out design which was compiled of multiple elements of the same folded shape compacted in a space. The idea was the strength was produced through continuously folding the paper to become a thicker and thus stronger paper beam. Due to its inability to stand on its own, the flat beam was bent to self-support itself while load was applied. 
Compacted into a square frame, the distribution of weight was made easier and thus held much more complex than the kebab stick and elastic structure. 
Unfortunately this structure did break. This occurred when the people in the video stepped off. The weight wasn't distributed evenly and the paper strips themselves spread out the compression at the bottom. If we were to seal the open ends of the paper beams, it would have held much longer.

Load Efficiency = 131kg/128g = 1023.4375kg = 1023.4kg (1d.p.)

What we can certainly conclude is that the simpler the design in terms of shape, method of making and structured placement allowed for a stronger result than one that was complex and messy!