Structual Integrity Project

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY PROJECT

Written by
Matthew Carlson -- Junior Mechanical Engineering
Chirag Shah -- Sophomore Electrical and Computer Engineering
Thomas Yeung -- Senior Industrial Management

Designed for use by Susan Finger, Associate Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering

April 5, 1998
Date to be complete April 23, 1998

Introduction
Description of parts to be built
Material needed for the presenter
Schedule
Budget

INTRODUCTION

This project is designed to teach 4^th grade students about the engineering process. They will be instructed on structural integrity by building a scale model of a barrier that is designed to stop a toy truck. Once the structures have been built, they will be placed on a ramp and impacted on by the truck. By seeing the designs that other students construct, and noting the designs that are successful and those that are not, students will also gain an insight on what types of structures are the strongest.

Back to the top DESCRIPTION OF PARTS TO BE BUILT
Overview
Both the starting stretch and base will be cut out of blue foam. These pieces will be completely straight, but both will have portions carved out from them to place additional components. The entire length of the track will have a 1" high Plexiglas wall attached along both sides of the blue foam. This will be to ensure that the truck stays on the track while maintaining visibility of the track from the side.

The entire ramp will be constructed out of three major modular pieces:

Down sloping starting stretch designed to give truck speed
Connector piece to attach starting stretch to base
Base for structure to be placed

Each of these pieces will be made of smaller components that will give functionality to the design.

Starting Stretch
Certain parts will have to be built specifically for the starting portion of the track.

To give the truck the necessary height, the ramp will need to be elevated. This will be accomplished by attaching two fixed length wooden dowels, vertically to the underside of the start piece.

Due to the slope the ramp will have, a starting gate for the truck will also need to be built to keep the competition fair. This component will be a Plexiglas gate that will be attached to the upper portion of the track. By placing a bolt in the Plexiglas to act as a fulcrum, the gate will be able to be dropped or lifted depending on if the truck is to be held or released respectively. This part will be built with the Lasercam process.

Connector
Because the starting piece of the ramp will be at an angle while the base will be horizontal, it is necessary to ensure that there is a smooth transition from one piece to the other. This will be accomplished through the use of a curved component built with fused deposition.

The curve will be gradual to ensure the truck does not get stuck at any point along the track while also maintaining the necessary angle to ensure that the truck will be released from a height that will give it sufficient momentum.

Base
A sensor will be built at the end of the base (after the point the students will place their structures) to help determine if a structure design is sound. This sensor will be built within a blue foam model house out of simple electronic components. The sensor will be designed to light and LED and make a noise if anything touches the house.

Diagram of ramp to be constructed

Back to the top MATERIAL NEEDED FOR THE PRESENTER

To give students (participants) an idea of our project, we will prepare a written introduction of the project and problem for the presenter. We would also prepare a detailed description of materials needed to perform our project and to solve our problem. A description of the rules for performing our project will also given. With this information, students should understand the constraints and requirements for performing this project. At the end of the presentation, the presenter would have a description on the best solution for the problem. This would be the best design for the problem. Presenter might also be given discussion materials on possible designs or some structural theories.

Back to the top SCHEDULE

DATE TO BE COMPLETED	PERSON	JOB
4/9/98	Matt	CAD drawings of parts which need outsourced
	Matt	Modification of model truck (weighted)

4/14/98	Chirag	First iteration of sensor is built
	Thomas	Coherent instructions written for instructor
	Matt	Crude release mechanism built
	Group	Second iteration of ramp built

4/20/98	Group	Final iteration is assembled after parts arrive

Back to the top BUDGET

Item

QUANTITY

COST PER ITEM

TOTAL

Truck

1

$8.00

$8.00

Blue Foam Block

1
$6.50 $6.50

Plexiglas Sheet

1
$6.50 $6.50

Electronic Components

N/A

N/A

$6.00

Green Foam Blocks

30
$1.00 $30.00

Dowels

2

$1.50

$3.00

Gumdrops

15

$1.00

$15.00

Toothpicks

15

$1.00

$15.00

Carrying Case

1

$10.00

$10.00

Connector Piece

1

N/A – to be rapid prototyped

N/A

TOTAL

$100.00

Note: All prices have been estimated to an extreme because prices have been acquired from the internet, and prices locally may vary.

Back to the top

Comments or questions about this proposal can be directed to Matthew Carlson, Thomas Yeung, or Chirag Shah

Item	QUANTITY	COST PER ITEM	TOTAL
Truck	1	$8.00	$8.00
Blue Foam Block	1	$6.50	$6.50
Plexiglas Sheet	1	$6.50	$6.50
Electronic Components	N/A	N/A	$6.00
Green Foam Blocks	30	$1.00	$30.00
Dowels	2	$1.50	$3.00
Gumdrops	15	$1.00	$15.00
Toothpicks	15	$1.00	$15.00
Carrying Case	1	$10.00	$10.00
Connector Piece	1	N/A – to be rapid prototyped	N/A
TOTAL			$100.00

Contents

Note: All prices have been estimated to an extreme because prices have been acquired from the internet, and prices locally may vary.