As a base for the tower, we decided it would be ideal to divide the load path to 4 pillars, hence reducing pressure on each pillar

When the tower was completed, we can see that the load path is divided to the 4 pillars through the roof. The roof was formed by using elastic bands to hold the blocks together (picture 5) to increase the integrity of the blocks. Due to its integrity, the blocks are unable to break up and forced to transfer the force to the pillars, as shown in picture 5. As compared, to picture 4, our tower doesn’t use mass to hold the structure intact. Additionally, we are able to use the same amount of blocks to build a taller structure.

Moreover, the bottom blocks were laid flat to increase base area for more stability. As the load is heaviest at the bottom, therefore the load is divided over a larger surface area.

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During the stability test, an object with a big surface area was used as the load. The tower was able to withstand the load because the force was spread out over a big area, hence reducing stress on the roof.

A load with a smaller surface was then used because the stress will focus on the weakest point of the roof, the centre. When force is applied to the centre of the roof, the blocks are in compression, hence the slight bend shown in picture 7. This is when the elastic bands play a key role in holding the structure together. The elastic bands force the blocks to transfer the force to the pillars, allowing the tower to stay intact.

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Constructing Envs Week 1 Journal

Fixed joint Fixed joints are used to join two components together by restricting any movement and maintaining the angle of the joined materials.

Fenly Jo (615460)