Advanced Computational Design: CODE 2121

Week 2 – Horizontal Spans

Structure 1

Similar to week 1, we needed to generate a structure using sate sticks and hot glue; however, this time the structure needed to be 2 cm tall and sit flat on the ground. After brainstorming possible ideas, we decided to weave or hatch the design and glue the joints together. The design was approximately 2.6cm off the ground.

Weight? 67g

Weight it held? Approximately 157kg

How and where the structure failed? The design didn't fail after a mass of 157kg was applied on top. This design was extremely successful.

Diagrams

Weight of supported load/weight of structure?

157000.00g / 67.00g = 2343.28g

Structure 2

We again used the weaving method for construction however instead of glue, we grouped 10 sate sticks together to generate height (2cm) and strength. We then joined them together with rubber bands and nylon. Using nylon and rubber bands allowed the joints to be flexible and reminiscent of a pin joint.

Weight? 75g

Weight it held? Approximately 90kg

How and where the structure failed? This design was quite successful, similar to the first structure, however it did fail. The structure was squashed by about 2mm, due to the sate sticks being forced into the ground. This was because of the flexible materials holding the sticks together; the flexibility allowed for movement and therefore the sticks to be pushed to the ground.

Diagrams

Weight of supported load/weight of structure?

90000.00g / 75.00g = 1200.00g

Structure 3

Structure three could only be created using purely paper. For this task, we decided to use the same design as week one as we believed it to be successful. In week one we folded numerous pieces of paper that had a length of 40cm when folded and a height of 5cm. They were then grouped together to make a dense structure.

Weight? 51g

Weight it held? Approximately 197kg

How and where the structure failed? The structure collapsed at its weakest point on one side, this may be due to the weight not being distributed evenly.

Diagrams