Thursday, May 29, 2014
This week, we went to the machine shop to create holes in the acrylic plastic circular discs in order to connect the discs with the wire. We worked on the physical prototype as a group and are going to have it finalized by the end of the lab, or by the end of the day of the lab. The tower was designed using the actual measurements of the Shukhov Tower and scaling them down to a size to reach 2.4 feet above the ground. Pictures are included to show the progress of our model.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Group 4 Week 8 Blog Post
We finally received the epoxy, but to our disappointment, the epoxy did not meet standards and so our alternative is to find a new epoxy. After drilling holes in the figure rings, we are going to place the copper member inside the hole to have the adhesive surrounding the base of it, giving it a better grip on the member and making the connection stronger.
We finally received the epoxy, but to our disappointment, the epoxy did not meet standards and so our alternative is to find a new epoxy. After drilling holes in the figure rings, we are going to place the copper member inside the hole to have the adhesive surrounding the base of it, giving it a better grip on the member and making the connection stronger.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Week 7 Group 4 Blog
This week we finalized what material we are going to use for the base as well as the separating rings. Now, we finally have all the materials including the straight lines used to design the curves of the tower, the separating circles, and the necessary foundation. For the top of the tower, we though we would use some really light material that we would 3D print. The rings are made of acrylic plastic and have a thickness of 7/32 inch, while the base is built like we imagined and has a 1/2 inch thickness and is made of clear cast acrylic plastic as well.
This week we finalized what material we are going to use for the base as well as the separating rings. Now, we finally have all the materials including the straight lines used to design the curves of the tower, the separating circles, and the necessary foundation. For the top of the tower, we though we would use some really light material that we would 3D print. The rings are made of acrylic plastic and have a thickness of 7/32 inch, while the base is built like we imagined and has a 1/2 inch thickness and is made of clear cast acrylic plastic as well.
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| Picture of Rings |
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| Picture of the Base |
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Week 6 Blog Post
This week we began our weekly meetings by deciding who would be assigned to and responsible for which part of the final report. Our decision was that Julian would work on the abstract and future work section, Jacob would complete the results, Lucas would be responsible for the technical activities section, and Anshi would complete the introduction section and subsections.
Additionally, we decided that we would use a heavy metal circular plate as the base of our tower so that it would not tip over as easily. The CAD Rendering is finished and represents a thicker base as the foundation.
We decided that we would build the tower section by section and use some lighter and smaller material for the tip.
The base would look something like this:
This week we began our weekly meetings by deciding who would be assigned to and responsible for which part of the final report. Our decision was that Julian would work on the abstract and future work section, Jacob would complete the results, Lucas would be responsible for the technical activities section, and Anshi would complete the introduction section and subsections.
Additionally, we decided that we would use a heavy metal circular plate as the base of our tower so that it would not tip over as easily. The CAD Rendering is finished and represents a thicker base as the foundation.
We decided that we would build the tower section by section and use some lighter and smaller material for the tip.
The base would look something like this:
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| The general shape and size of the base of the tower. |
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Group 4 Blog Post 5
This week, we began to purchase the necessary materials to start the structure. Metal tubes, specifically copper, are going to be used to make the base structure of the tower. We bought seven packets of the copper tubes, each containing three that can be used to build precise designs. They are not as flexible, but we are going to cut them in half to make the foundation.
The structure is not limited to using the copper tubes, but this is what we have so far to use for the lattices.
The model is estimated to be 2.5 feet tall from the ground.
Additionally, the design on Autocad was further perfected, by distinguishing between the top section and the bottom section. The top section is made up of beams without separation like the other sections that have a circular base every few feet (In reality, approximately every 10 feet).
The Autocad model looks like an accurate depiction of the actual tower so it will help us create the actual tower.
An image of a visual analysis model of the structure that was used to make the AutoCad model.
Images of the Autocad models
This week, we began to purchase the necessary materials to start the structure. Metal tubes, specifically copper, are going to be used to make the base structure of the tower. We bought seven packets of the copper tubes, each containing three that can be used to build precise designs. They are not as flexible, but we are going to cut them in half to make the foundation.
The structure is not limited to using the copper tubes, but this is what we have so far to use for the lattices.
The model is estimated to be 2.5 feet tall from the ground.
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| #9871 is the option chosen to create the structure's beams |
Additionally, the design on Autocad was further perfected, by distinguishing between the top section and the bottom section. The top section is made up of beams without separation like the other sections that have a circular base every few feet (In reality, approximately every 10 feet).
The Autocad model looks like an accurate depiction of the actual tower so it will help us create the actual tower.
A picture of the actual radio tower
Images of the Autocad models
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Group 4 Blog Post 4
This week we pretty much completed the 50% of the autocad 3D model.
Its base structure is completed and so is its basic shape. The truss pattern is completed and the portions look correct. However, all the parts need to be connected. A cross section of the bridge is completed, but we need to somehow use all the cross sections and adjust the size and shape in order to create the full model.
So far, for the physical model, we are sticking with using the flower arranging wire to provide a flexible, yet strong structure that accurately emulates the real Shukhov Radio Tower.
This week we pretty much completed the 50% of the autocad 3D model.
Its base structure is completed and so is its basic shape. The truss pattern is completed and the portions look correct. However, all the parts need to be connected. A cross section of the bridge is completed, but we need to somehow use all the cross sections and adjust the size and shape in order to create the full model.
So far, for the physical model, we are sticking with using the flower arranging wire to provide a flexible, yet strong structure that accurately emulates the real Shukhov Radio Tower.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Group 4 Blog Post 3
This week we analyzed and compared different options for constructing a prototype of the Shukhov Radio Tower.
We visited the materials engineering department and consulted with the materials professor to brainstorm kinds of material that would best model our bridge. So far, we agreed on a type of wire known as florist stem wire that is used in flower arrangement. We are most likely going to use this wire because it is sturdy, strong, and most importantly flexible, which would be useful in creating the round regions of the Shukhov radio tower. The wire has the necessary minimum resilience to support such a complex structure and also has the capability of being bent in all angles in order to emulate the complex design of the radio tower.
Also, we examined a picture of the tensegrity structure in Kolkata and noticed the importance and value in the tension in all of its members. This made us think of how we could use the tension in the wires to lace in and out of the base of the tower and essentially pull the tower into being sturdier.
Additionally, Lucas worked on 3D modeling to construct a blueprint of the tower. We are all going to download the visual analysis software in order to figure out the glitches and learn how to create the bridge, using the tutorial.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Group 4 Blog Post 2
This week, we brainstormed ideas to come up with some sort of material to use on the structure. It is a pretty complex structure, even if inventively designed. We thought we should use something flexible, but then we realized nothing even gets bent in the structure except for the material used to make the circle separating the cross sections.
The beauty of this tower is that tubes are basically just slanted the entire way through, that gives the tower its circular structure.
This week, we brainstormed ideas to come up with some sort of material to use on the structure. It is a pretty complex structure, even if inventively designed. We thought we should use something flexible, but then we realized nothing even gets bent in the structure except for the material used to make the circle separating the cross sections.
The beauty of this tower is that tubes are basically just slanted the entire way through, that gives the tower its circular structure.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Group 4 Blog Post 1
This week we chose which structure we would like to model. After watching the presentation, we decided that the Shukhov Tower would be a good structure to emulate. It was unique, plus we wanted to learn more about it after discovering that it was going to be demolished. It is not a bridge, but is an interestingly designed structure.
This week we chose which structure we would like to model. After watching the presentation, we decided that the Shukhov Tower would be a good structure to emulate. It was unique, plus we wanted to learn more about it after discovering that it was going to be demolished. It is not a bridge, but is an interestingly designed structure.
It would be challenging to make such a structure that is light in weight and tall. We plan to create a model that is lightweight too, to accurately imitate the real Shukhov Tower.
A picture showing the circular bases dividing each section of the tower.
A picture showing the circular bases dividing each section of the tower.
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