Sponsored by Highline Community College Engineering
Submitted by: Rich Bankhead Highline Community College [email protected]
Build a Cantilever from Straws and Masking Tape
Challenge: Build a structure using straws and 36 inches of masking tape that cantilevers or extends a maximum distance beyond the edge of a table top without going below the top of the table. Teams: Teams may consist of up to 3 students. Materials: You may use as many straws as you like, but you will only be given 36 inches of masking tape. Tools: Each team will be allowed to use a pair of scissors to cut their tape and straws. Time Allocation: You will be given 30 minutes to complete this task. At the end of the time allocation judges will measure your team’s cantilever distance.Your structure must be free standing at the end of 30 minutes. Structures: Structures must be free standing. During the judging you will not be allowed to support your structure with your hands. Your structure may not touch the ground our anything other than the table top to which it is attached. Measurement: Structures will be measured perpendicular from the edge of the table. Tips:
• You may use masking tape to attach your structure to the table top. • Building vertically will help you build horizontally out over the edge of the table.
• Your time will be limited. Arrive at the competition with a plan for building your structure. You can practice before you arrive.
• Straws are much stronger in tension than compression. You can demonstrate this by pulling on the ends of a straw (tension) in comparison to pushing on the ends
Sponsored by Highline Community College Engineering
of a straw (compression). When a long length of a straw is compressed it fails under column buckling. Be sure to support straws which are under compression.
• Have fun and enjoy the challenge.
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