WEEK 2 STUDIO JOURNAL- FRAME

Triangular base of balsa wood tower structure

This chosen base, aimed to use minimal balsa wood for a supportive structure, which could be repetitive throughout the whole structure. Thus, allowing extra pieces of wood The triangle stays rigid in structure, can resist some angular changes. The triangle can support 2 times the beam weight on one beam. Whereas a square structure would be more likely to collapse as the load transfer differs, and would require more support throughout the entire structure to avoid stresses.

Utilized the shape of the tower by making a triangular prism, inspired by a truss. The longer balsa wood pieces allowed for of the tower to be given extreme height. This pattern continued throughout the structure, as it was simple to construct in the time frame. Four other modules like the above image were constructed and all fix jointed together with super glue. Fixed joints with butt connections, were used at each point of the triangle base. This connected each piece of balsa wood, provided a supportive yield for each section of the tower.

WEEK 2 STUDIO JOURNAL- FRAME  

The image on the left shows the completed structure before being tested. The image illustrates how the original triangular prism module was used throughout the structure. However, to create the structure at this height/length required all balsa wood to be used in gaining height/length in the tower. Thus, no supporting beams were placed to allow for weight to be distributed in a supportive manner.

Using glue to create fixed joints with balsa wood caused a lot of error. Many joins disconnected or struggled to have a stable join.

The image on the far right demonstrates how the structure could not be free standing. Once the tower was placed upright it started to buckle, as shown in the illustration. This was likely to occur due to not supportive beams being in place to allow for weight to be distributed in other manners than just piled on top of each other compressing the columns.

WEEK 2 STUDIO JOURNAL- FRAME

The left illustration is an example of how the strength of the structure could be improved. The shaded area demonstrates one way a brace could be applied to the tower. Bracing the structure would of increased strength and provided resistance against lateral forces. However, due to the limited balsa wood pieces, the group chose to go for more height in the structure than use pieces for structural support.

Another form of bracing that was going to be in place if more balsa wood was available. Taking more of a truss form, this bracing would also allow for weight to be distributed, therefore the structure could withstand larger forces. Thus, the structure would be less rigid, than just using joints as main support systems, as used in the experiment.