Truss Tower project
Conceptual Model:
Problem: to create a structure that holds up weight enough to record data
Generate Ideas: some ideas include the criss cross structure, truss sided cube, pyramid, cube, truss filled cube, four mini cubs in a cube
Constraints: the minimal amount for the dimensions are 2x2x3 to the maximum of 4x4x5, this project only always using balsa wood, glue, and sandpaper to manipulate things
Criteria: The truss tower should be dense, stability, it should hold a good amount of balsa, should be at max size, and takes the least amount of time to make
Research: Theoretical Research: Truss is a structure that "consists of two forces, members only, where the members are organized so that the assemblage as a whole behaves as a single object."
Empirical Research: Based on making small models of truss sides of a cube vs a non truss sided cube, I found that the truss held up more support than the non truss sided cube.
Possible solutions: I have decided to chose the truss sided cube, criss cross structure, and cube as the possible solutions
Idea Matrix:
Generate Ideas: some ideas include the criss cross structure, truss sided cube, pyramid, cube, truss filled cube, four mini cubs in a cube
Constraints: the minimal amount for the dimensions are 2x2x3 to the maximum of 4x4x5, this project only always using balsa wood, glue, and sandpaper to manipulate things
Criteria: The truss tower should be dense, stability, it should hold a good amount of balsa, should be at max size, and takes the least amount of time to make
Research: Theoretical Research: Truss is a structure that "consists of two forces, members only, where the members are organized so that the assemblage as a whole behaves as a single object."
Empirical Research: Based on making small models of truss sides of a cube vs a non truss sided cube, I found that the truss held up more support than the non truss sided cube.
Possible solutions: I have decided to chose the truss sided cube, criss cross structure, and cube as the possible solutions
Idea Matrix:
Summary: Based on the Idea Matrix, I have found that the truss sided cube has been favored in most in the criteria. Because of this, I have decided to go and start building this model.
Graphical Model:
Technical Sketch:
Mathematical model
To clean up the data, I deleted useless columns such as the time stamp and group number. Then I took out outliers that would skew the data. As shown on the mathematical model, With increasing weight, the tower was able to hold up more. Because of this data, I would on my re-design add more mass by putting in more support and layers to the truss tower
Working model
When I was finished with my first design, realizes it went out of the dimension constraints. So with little time to come up with a new model, I ended up tearing it down.
For my new design I figured I'd use the parts I had used previously from my first design to make a new one
But when time came for testing, the model was to fragile and frankly was also a bit to broken to test for a reading