Designing of a Trebuchet to launch a given projectile using a given amount of energyPresented by : 1. Himanshu Agrawal 2. Himanshu Kumar Singh3. Pushpendra Mishra

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Goal StatementThe goal of this project is to determine how different physical parameters can affect the range of a trebuchet, using hand calculations, computer simulations.Calculation of shaking force and shaking moment using mathematical modeling and ADAMS simulation.Optimization of the projectile mass to be launched with respect to the counter weight used.

Project Objectives

The goal of this project is to determine how different physical parameters can affect the range of a trebuchet, using hand calculations, computer simulations.

Ideation 1. Simulation of the trebuchet model using ADAMS.Creating Design points, links, counter weight, projectile, ground block and joints.Connecting the Parts and simulating the model.Testing the model by measuring the Projectile Velocity.Plotting the Projectile Trajectory and making measurements on the curve.Mathematical Modelling using MATLAB.Creating main function, compute path function and projectile trajectory function.Compiling all these functions to generate the output. Benchmarking

1. Study the effect of following on the range of projectile:Counterweight projectile mass height of pivot2. Analysis and hand calculations of tension in the sling, angular acceleration of lever and projectile.3. ADAMS simulation and MATLAB mathematical modeling using Newtonian Approach.4. Analysis of Hinge Forces and Hinge Torques.

Background ResearchTrebuchet uses the physical principles of leverage and centripetal force to hurl the largest, most deadly payloads toward their targets.By changing the sling length, the shot may be made to go up, forward, down, or even backward.The greatest range occurs with a 40-45 angle of departure.If the counterweight is too light the beam will swing slowly and the shot will fall at shorter distance. If the counterweight is too heavy the shot will go little further but not very much. The shorter rope yielded longer distance.Lighter shot yielded longer distance.The presence or absence of wheels had no effect on the throwing distance.

Expected Performance Specifications Proposed design

Initial velocity

Range

Mass of the projectile that can be launched.

Mass of the counterweight used.

Amount of shaking force and shaking moment generated.

Detailed Analysis 1

Detailed Analysis 2

Detailed Analysis 3

Concluding RemarksFrom the ADAMS simulation, MATLAB mathematical modelling and hand calculations in the detailed analysis 1,2,3 following results were verified :

1. The effect of counterweight, projectile mass and height of pivot on the range of projectile through graphical plots :As the projectile mass increases, the range of projectile decreases.Increment in the counterweight results in the increment of the projectile range.Increasing the height of pivot, results in the increase of range.

Analysis of the hinge forces and the hinge torques and the projectile velocitys X-component and Y-component were studied through graphical plots.The shaking torque comes out to be negligible and the shaking force is a considerable amount so we have to attach a counterweight to minimise the shaking force.

ContributionsHimanshu Agrawal : Background research, Mathematical modelling, ADAMS Modelling and simulation, MATLAB Analysis and Plots.

Himanshu Kumar Singh : Background research, Mathematical modelling, ADAMS Modelling and simulation, MATLAB Analysis and Plots.

Pushpendra Mishra : Background research, Mathematical modelling, ADAMS Modelling and simulation, MATLAB Analysis and Plots.