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.

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.

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.

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.

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.