Floppy Towers
Paper Towers- See http://westonk12engineering.org/structures/pages/floppy_towers.htm
Paper Towers- See http://westonk12engineering.org/structures/pages/floppy_towers.htm
o Design Brief: Working in pairs, build the highest free-standing tower you can.
o Design Brief: Working in pairs, build the highest free-standing tower you can.
o Constraints: You are limited to 5 sheets of copier paper and 6” of scotch tape per tower
o Constraints: You are limited to 5 sheets of copier paper and 6” of scotch tape per tower
o Performance criteria: The tower must stand for at least 30 seconds.
o Performance criteria: The tower must stand for at least 30 seconds.
• A: At Least 50” tall
• A: At Least 50” tall
• B: At Least 40” tall
• B: At Least 40” tall
• C: At Least 30” tall
• C: At Least 30” tall
Next Class: Re-design
Next Class: Re-design
Clean-up
Clean-up
Summarize: What did you find? Dismiss from seats.
Summarize: What did you find? Dismiss from seats.
Lesson 2
Lesson 2
• Prep:
• Prep:
• Paper in packets ; tape
• Paper in packets ; tape
• Paper sheets can be cut into 2 or 3 pieces
• Paper sheets can be cut into 2 or 3 pieces
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Tape- no fixed amount;String
• Tape- no fixed amount;String
Assign Partners
Assign Partners
Review Issues:
Review Issues:
Redundancy
Redundancy
Importance of Side Support- demonstrate with pole held at bottom—acts as hinge
Importance of Side Support- demonstrate with pole held at bottom—acts as hinge
Think: How can we create side support?
Think: How can we create side support?
Lesson 3:
Lesson 3:
Today I will show you the technology for building paper towers:
Today I will show you the technology for building paper towers:
The stiffness of a paper column or beam can be significantly increased by rolling the paper tightly, so that the strength of each thickness of paper contributes uniformly to the whole.
The stiffness of a paper column or beam can be significantly increased by rolling the paper tightly, so that the strength of each thickness of paper contributes uniformly to the whole.
Rolling paper tightly is greatly eased by use of a jig- a specialized shop-made tool. In this instance, we will use a 1/4" diameter wooden dowel as a jig.
Rolling paper tightly is greatly eased by use of a jig- a specialized shop-made tool. In this instance, we will use a 1/4" diameter wooden dowel as a jig.
Demonstrate Rolling technique with a half-sheet
Demonstrate Rolling technique with a half-sheet
Demonstrate joining technique w/metal tape or glued paper tape
Demonstrate joining technique w/metal tape or glued paper tape
Demonstrate interfacing supports with center to make a tripod
Demonstrate interfacing supports with center to make a tripod
See also http://westonk12engineering.org/structures/pages/floppy_towers.htm
- Technology means in Greek "the knowledge or art of how to make things"
- Columns are strong if kept vertical( axial compression) but weak in bending.
- The strength of columns to resist buckling depends on their length, material, and cross section.
- The strength of columns to resist buckling depends on their length, material, and cross section.
- New materials and technologies dictate what can be built.
- Technological items, whether souffles or i-phones, are things that require technology-knowledge of techniques- to make them.