To Shake Or Not To Shake?

Learning Target: I can combine evidence-based solutions to design problems such as constructing an earthquake resistant building in order to create a new solution/design.

Step 6 - Structural Analysis

Name: Merit

Partner: Jason

You will encounter difficulties when working on this engineering design challenge. These challenges often lead to problems, which require coming up with solutions that ultimately improve your design. Reflecting on your building process is an important step before running a test.

Answer the following questions BEFORE the earthquake testing takes place. All answers must be answered clearly, completely, and restated, and each person in your group must write their answers in their own words:

1. Name 3 problems you encountered during construction and explain how you solved them.

Three problems that we encountered were: Popsicle sticks snapping when we cut them, straws not fitting together, and the second floor not being big enough. We solved the snapping popsicle sticks by altering our design slightly to use straws instead, and used the popsicle sticks elsewhere where we wouldn’t need to cut them. We found out how to fix the straw problem by discovering that if we cut the ends to be diagonal, they fit together perfectly. The solution to the second floor being too small was the simplest, we just made the structure taller so it was bigger.

2. During construction, how did you test the strength and stability of your structure?

We tested the strength and stability of our building by using the actual sandbags that we’d be using for the shake test, shaking it with our hands to see what areas broke, and then strengthening those areas.

3. During construction, what strategies did you use to strengthen the weaker areas? Why?

The strategies we used to strengthen said weaker/breaking points was to check what broke. If the paper clip came loose, we’d wrap it tighter. If tape came off, we’d stick it back on. If a straw didn’t have enough support, we’d make a truss.

4. What are the strongest parts of your building? Why?

The strongest parts of our building are by far the first floor and base. The paper clips are secured well, the base doesn’t move, and we can even flip the building over without it breaking. The floor holds the sandbag very well.

5. What are the weakest parts of your building? Why?

The weakest part of our building is the second floor. It was very rushed, we didn’t have enough time to add all the strengthening features we wanted, and the trusses are a bit loose. Nevertheless, it supports the sandbag.

6. Where did you use string in your structure? Why?

We didn’t use string in the basic construction of our building, but we’ll be using it to secure the sandbags on during the shake test.

7. Where did you use tape in your structure? Why?

We used tape in our structure to attach the first floor to the building better. It reinforces the connection points, and makes it a bit stronger.

8. If you had 20 more straws and 15 more paper clips, where would you add them? Why?

If I had 20 more straws and 15 more paper clips, I’d use them to add reinforcement to the second floor, which is not super strong. In particular, use the straws to make better trusses.

Insert a photo of your constructed structure here:

Steps 7&8 - Construction Analysis & Final Reflection

Name: Merit

Partner: Jason

Now that the dust has settled, you can reflect on the success and failures you experienced in the building and testing of your earthquake-resistant structure. You should also reflect on how you and your group members contributed to the project.

Answer the following questions AFTER the earthquake testing takes place. All answers must be answered clearly, completely, and restated, and each person in your group must write their answers in their own words:

1. How did your building do during the earthquake tests? What parts of your design worked correctly and what parts of your design failed? Our building did better than we expected it to. The parts of our design that worked well were.. All of them, basically. Both the sand bags stayed on great, and it didn’t even break when it was shook. The part that didn’t do well was the base a little bit, as a couple paper clips came loose. But other than that, it is intact.

2. What building designs did well in the classroom? Describe their features that helped them be successful. The building designs that did well all had good truss design, and I noticed that the straws were connected by having the paper clips stabbed through them, instead of shoved in the ends. I’m not sure if this counts, but all the buildings that survived with two sand bags still on them were built out of colored straws.

3. How would you change your design if you had to do it again? Specifically, how would you improve the weakest parts of your building AND how would you change your design? If you would keep it the same, what could you do to make it even stronger to achieve the next level of weight or earthquake strength? If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t change much, as the design did really well. But I would definitely use the tape to keep straws together, instead of attaching the first floor with it. I think it would’ve been stronger if it was used there instead.

4. What was your favorite part of this project? Why? My favorite part of this project was definitely the building. It was stressful at first, because our original design didn’t work and we were short on time. But, once we got a better plan and actually put things together, it was fun to see it build up.

5. What was your least favorite part of this project? Why? My least favorite part of the project was the planning. I hated it, it was boring and tedious, and our design didn’t even end up close to it, so the plan was basically useless.

6. Including yourself, how would you rate the attitude/cooperation of your group?

Me: Not so good Great!

Partner: Not so good Great!

7a. (If you worked with a partner) Would you want to work with the same partner for the next project? Explain why or why not. I would want to work with the same partner, we did have our disagreements, but when we got into the flow of working we cooperated well (I think) and made a good structure.

7b. (If you worked alone) What was one advantage and one disadvantage of working alone?) I did not work alone.

8a. (If you worked with a partner) How did you work with this group vs. groups from different projects over the year? Explain. I think I worked okay with this group compared to other groups, namely when we did the cold cup challenge and I had a group with Jason and Micah. We worked better together and I think the project came out a bit better.

8b. (If you worked alone) If you had to redo this project, would you still want to work alone, or would you have preferred to work with a partner? Explain. I did not work alone.

Insert a photo of your building AFTER the shake test here:

henry you photobomber