Strength Engineering

Strength Engineering

Engineering - is the application of mathematics and scientific, economic, social, and practical knowledge in order to invent, innovate, design, build, maintain, research, and improve structures, machines, tools, systems, components, materials, processes, solutions, and organizations.

Strength - The quality or state of being strong. Capacity for exertion or endurance, the power to resist force.

Part 1

The general guidelines are here for quick reference, the specifications are in your handouts. In general, your goal is to build a structure that can hold the most weight possible from the following materials:

    • Wood

    • Fishing wire

    • Aluminum Foil

    • Duct Tape

    • Electrical tape

    • Flexible plastic tubing

    • Glue

    • Latex-Free balloons

    • Latex-Free rubber bands

    • Paper

    • Wire

The structure must meet several requirements to be allowed to participate:

    • Be between 7.5 and 9 inches in height

    • Weigh less than 175g

    • Fit around the cardboard tube

    • Fit in the testing apparatus

Helpful hints:

    • Materials have different strengths depending on how they are aligned

    • Triangles are your friend

    • Laminates are allowed (ie. wood glued together in different ways)

    • Utilize repeating patterns to build your structure

Part 2

Design the entire structure on paper using the guide that was supplied to you.