Tips for my tower please

[yousef213]

As I said it supported 13.8 kg and weighed 29.5g. So, what I am focusing on is reducing weight because it held a decent amount

Was the tower tested at a tournament using a standard testing platform (with a 20 cm x 20 cm opening)? Or, did you test it using a platform with a smaller opening?

My concern with the tower is its supports. Where were the points of contact between the tower and the platform you tested it on? Just the four outer corners of the square base?

Yes, so what I am considering doing is making the base instead 2 21 cm x 4.5 cm rectangles connected in the xenter to make my frid. Thus it would have more support than just the corners. My concern is if it yould be to heavy. What do you think?

[SLM]

... Thus it would have more support than just the corners. My concern is if it yould be to heavy. What do you think?

The primary problem with the tower is its supports. To see why, let’s separate the vertical part (core) of the tower from the square base, and examine the base more closely. The applied load transfers to the base through the core as shown below.



So, if I draw a diagram of the base only, it is going to look something like this:



Here, the blue lines represent the existing members, the red arrows represent the forces that are applied to the base from the core, and the green triangles represent the supports (points of contact between the base and the testing platform ). The problem here is that there are no vertical (or close-to-vertical) members carrying the red forces to the green supports. The base consists entirely of horizontal members. Given the small size (3/32 x 3/32) of these members, they would have a very difficult time withstanding the loads and effectively transferring them to the support points.

Here is a suggestion for remedying the problem.

1. Have inclined members directly transferring the load from the core to the supports, as shown below.


2. Brace the inclined members to prevent instability (buckling), as shown below.


3. Eliminate most of the members in the lower part of the tower, except for the horizontal bracings at the base, as shown below.


The revised design should result in a stronger, and probably lighter tower.

[yousef213]

I dont think I follow with step #3. Are you suggesting I remove the core there completely or just stop bracing it under a certain point?

Btw thankyou for your other tips & diagram

[soccerkid812]

hes saying only keep the top 3 parts on the horizontal chimney and the red legs that he drew in.

[SLM]

hes saying only keep the top 3 parts on the horizontal chimney and the red legs that he drew in.

Exactly!

You can remove the lower part of the core completely without adversely affecting the ability of the tower to carry the load. The lower part of the core carries very little load and really has no functional use.

[yousef213]

okay, thank you guys!

[eta150]

The base should just be an open square. The base bracing is only making it heavier and more complicated. Plus having the force directed straight down on it is making it weaker.

Like this (the one with legs), plus a chimney:
http://gallery.scioly.org/details.php?image_id=1822

[yousef213]

The base should just be an open square. The base bracing is only making it heavier and more complicated. Plus having the force directed straight down on it is making it weaker.

Like this (the one with legs), plus a chimney:
http://gallery.scioly.org/details.php?image_id=1822

I understand how it could make it heavier, but how could it make it weaker?

[soccerkid812]

when you tested it, where did the tower exactly break?

[yousef213]

when you tested it, where did the tower exactly break?

one of the diagonals (base to core) fell off on the tower leaned in that direction and broke