Straw Tower Competition

Introduction

A tower may be defined as an exceptionally tall building or part of a building, or an exceptionally tall structure used for some functional purpose. In the past, towers were usually used to house bells (bell towers), for observation (watch towers), or for signaling (light houses). Perhaps the earliest record of a tower comes from the Bible where the story of the tower of Babel is told. Other notable towers include the Tower of Pisa and the Eiffel Tower, two completely different types of towers.

Today there are many more types of towers that are used for a wide variety of functions. A few examples are transmission line towers, radar towers, radio and TV broadcasting antenna towers, towers for suspension bridges, even the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

In this project design teams will construct drinking straw towers that must withstand the shaking of a shake table. One by one, 250 gram sandbags are loaded onto the towers. The towers must remain standing for 1 minute from the start of the simulated earthquake.

Learners

Applicable Grades 4 through 9

SKILLS AND ENGINEERING CONCEPTS DEVELOPED:
Involves design and fabrication to given specifications. Develops engineering drawing
(drafting) skills and translation from a drawing to a model. Deals with the following scientific
concepts: force (compression and tension), Rigidity of Forms (squares, rectangles and
triangles).

Task

The objective of this project is to design and fabricate the tallest tower possible using a maximum of 50 ordinary drinking straws as the basic building material. The tower must meet specific dimensional requirements identified in the Construction Requirements section. After completion of all the towers, they will be subjected to a load in order to determine which tower is the strongest. Prior to testing, each team will share the reasoning of their design with the group.

Process

Form teams of 2-3 members

Research towers, bridge design, etc. using links found in resource section.

Model the Engineering Design Process learned in previous units to design, build and test tower.

Upon completion obtain approval/disapproval from teacher.

Begin construction of tower.

Materials

50 drinking straws
1 meter of 1-inch masking tape
25 paper clips

Design Constraints:

The building must fit on the base.
The building must be at least 30 cm tall.
No restriction on depth or width.
The building must have 2 stories that are each at least 18 cm tall (approximately the height of 1 straw).
Each story must support the weight of at least 1 sand bag (250 grams) without collapsing.
A construction drawing with measurements and analysis must be submitted before earthquake testing.
Tower must be able to be carried to testing station.
Tower must be able to stand for 1 minute prior to start of earthquake with minimum 250 gram mass on each level.
To survive an earthquake test, the building must not collapse for 10 seconds after the earthquake begins. The weights must stay on the building. You have 1 minute to repair any damage to your building before the next earthquake test.

Resources - Links

General

Building Big: All About Skyscrapers

Earthquake Engineering

How to Make Buildings & Structures Earthquake Proof

THE CALIFORNIA QUAKE: Earthquake Engineering; Why the Skyscrapers Just Swayed

Evaluation

Straw Tower Rubric

9 – 10

points

7 – 8

points

5 – 6

points

0 – 4

points

Diagram

Diagram drawn extremely well.

Professional look.

Highly detailed.

Parts labeled.

Easy to understand.

Diagram drawn

Satisfactorily.

Drawing neat.

Good detail.

Most parts labeled.

Understandable

Diagram messy.

Not labeled.

Some detail.

Difficult to read or understand.

No diagram turned in.

Poor or sloppy drawing.

Very difficult to read or understand.

Use of Materials / Clean-up

Materials properly used and cared for.

No materials wasted.

Area cleaned up thoroughly by the bell.

Materials used properly but some wasted material.

Area reasonably cleaned up by the bell.

Materials being put away at bell.

Some or most materials wasted damaged or lost.

Area not clean by the time bell rings.

Materials put away after bell.

Most materials lost, damaged or wasted.

Work area left a mess.

Team Cooperation

Group works very well together. Ideas from all members listened to and respected.

Excellent participation.

Appropriate discussion of topic.

Group works adequately well. For the most part ideas respected and listened to by all members.

1 or 2 warnings given for lack of cooperation or participation.

Some arguing or inappropriate discussion.

Group not cooperating. Not respecting or listening to others.

3 or more times warned for lack of cooperation or not participating.

Arguing or inappropriate discussion.

Group not attempting to work or cooperate.

Inappropriate discussions not related to project.

Total lack of participation.

Group Presentation / Internet Research

Well presented. Presentation shows evidence of planning

Two or more examples of research given.

Excellent description of how research applies to project.

Presentation good. Some evidence of planning.

One or two examples of research

Good description of how research applies.

Presentation weak. Little planning.

One example of research given.

Weak description of how research applies.

Presentation poor - little or no planning shown.

No examples of research given.

Poor description of how research applies.

Building of Structure / Design

Very well built. Supports mass easily without leaning or swaying.

Project instructions followed.

Project completed on time.

Structure stands on own but leans or wobbles. Will support mass.

Project instructions followed.

Completed on time.

Structure stands but will not support mass.

Project instructions not followed.

Requires extra time to complete project.

Structure will not stand on own. Will not support mass.

Structure not finished even with extra time to complete.

Points can be deducted on an individual basis for disrupting other teams, horseplay, unsafe work habits, not cleaning work area, and any other behavior deemed inappropriate by Mr. A. Each infraction will result in a three point deduction.

Points can be deducted on an individual basis. These deductions will only affect the individual and not the entire team.

Examples of individual deductions

Horseplay (-3)
Not staying in area with team / Running around (-3)
Too loud (-3)
Not participating appropriately (-5)
Disturbing other groups (-5)

Credits

This project has been adapted from the original authored by the Future Science and Engineers of America (FSEA).