Floating Arm Trebuchet

In spring of 2009, I was part of a four-member team that designed a trebuchet to compete in a contest for distance and accuracy. We broke from tradition using a novel floating-arm design, which adds modern engineering to an already 80% efficient medieval hurling machine. The throwing arm has been decoupled from the frame, constraining the counterweight to fall vertically. We won the award for furthest distance out of about 25 teams.

With almost no budget, we used a hockey stick, some roller blade wheels, paper, soda bottles, sand and string in addition to wood and fasteners.

This is a screen shot from our design analysis to optimize physical geometry of the trebuchet.

This is the team with our prize. I am second from the left.