Yesterday in class we accomplished a mini challenge. In small groups we were told to build the tallest, free- standing structure we could with 5 sheets of newspaper and a length of tape. The class immediately started planning and got to work on their structures. Within the given period of about 25 minutes many of the groups had completed their challenge. However not all of the structures worked. Some collapsed while some were unable to stand freely. Many of the structures were extremely unstable. So, what was the best way to build the structure? How much height has to be compromised in order to make the structure stable?
Physics of Tall Structures
Several aspects can contribute to a stable tall structure. Mainly, having most of the mass located at the base would help the construction to stand. Other ways to make sure of an effective structure would be to: have a wider base and/ or attaching tripod- like extensions to distribute the mass.
What Makes a Tall Structure Stable?
Obviously the most important thing to consider when building a tall structure is the base. It must be wider, and able to support the weight of the rest of the building.It is also better that the base is as flat as possible
Center of Gravity
The center of gravity is a point where the total weight of a structure is thought to be concentrated. A structure should be built with the lowest center of gravity possible, this means that it is most stable at this point.
Overall, i think my group did a good job building our structure. We stacked our newspapers pyramid- like so that the base was the widest part. In addition, we incorporated the tripod design for additional stability.
Our Structure
checked. Nice pic.
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