CODE 2121

Horizontal Support

Our first design used a combination of sate sticks and rubber bands to construct a beam bridge with a truss. The aim was to reinforce it with as many sticks as possible, letting the structure disperse the weight. After 5 paper stacks (approx 2.5kg ea), it began to bow, progressively bending more and more as weight was added. It held 10 stacks then failed after the weight of a person was added on top. The sticks then began to crack until they caved in as seen in the video.

Our second design was an attempt at a cable stayed bridge, using sate sticks, nylon fabric, rubber bands and fishing line. At about 3 stacks of paper it began to flex, holding 8 stacks before it collapsed. The sticks completely snapped off the ends, causing the bridge to collapse inward.

The final design was another beam bridge with supports running both horizontally and vertically made out of paper only. It supported 10 stacks of paper, then the weight of a person, it only gave way after slipping from the desk.

Horizontal Span

Our first design was a layered pattern of sate sticks and hot glue. It supported 7 stacks of paper, once someone stepped on top of it (approx. 70kg), the structure broke and compressed onto itself.

The second design was a combination of sate sticks and rubber bands, similar design to the first structure, Again, it withheld 7 stacks of paper but failed, compressing on itself after a person stepped upon it, squashing it.

The final design was purely paper, folded into triangular shapes to try and withstand the load. 5 stacks of paper were loaded onto it when it began to compress, after the weight of the person was added it completely squashed down.

Vertical Stability

The design aimed to intersect the cards whilst building a square formation vertically. The aim was that the intersections would reinforce the tower as it grew higher, as it got higher it became a point in order to gain height. However, this led to its downfall as it became an easy tipping point which caused the structure to fail as seen in the video.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usDcYOU6idw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mysvs_epquw