Difference between revisions of "Mystery Architecture"

Revision as of 01:22, 25 September 2019

Template:EventLinksBox Mystery Architecture is a Division B event that is set to return for the 2018 season. It was previously run as a trial event in New York during the 2013 season, and last run nationally in 2008. In this event, teams are given materials such as straws, cups, string, tape, wooden dowels, and other materials to build a structure. Structures that must be built have included cantilevers, arches, towers, and bridges. Most of the structures are judged on height/distance spanned and are required to hold a specified amount.

Strategy

The key to this event is practice. One suggested way to practice is to compile a list of structures to build, and ask teammates or a coach to provide materials to construct these structures. If three or more students are involved with the event, they can build the same structure with the same materials separately, in order to observe the differences and see which strategies work better than others.

More keys to success in this event:

Knowledge of building materials and how they can be used
Experience in building and constructing structures out of those materials
General knowledge of truss systems and how they work, etc.
KISS: "Keep It Simple, Stupid". KISS is always a good thing to keep in mind for engineering events. The simplest ideas work the best and usually involve a combo of triangles and arches. Calculation of loads in the structures isn't necessary but can be useful. Knowledge of the limitations of your structures and how to fix them is key.

Structural Efficiency

In short, the efficiency of a structure is equal to the weight supported divided by the weight of the structure. A large efficiency is desired, but the highest possible efficiency varies. At past national competitions, the top efficiency for towers was around 5500.

Truss Systems and Supporting Shapes

Arches

Non-tied Arches are arches that exert pressure outward and downward. Examples include Roman arches in buildings and bridges which contain an arch in the substructure.

Tied arches are a crescent shape with a tension member connecting each end of the arch to prevent outward pressure at the ends. This makes the arch self-contained and cancels horizontal stresses.

Trussed Arch are tied arches with a network of trusses, usually triangular in nature. However, the arch can also only have vertical members to hold up a flat deck. Trussed arches are a very efficient way to build a bridge.

Triangles

Triangles are very strong shapes since they spread weight evenly throughout the shape. However, like all truss systems, they are only useful when used in proper context. For the strongest trusses, equilateral triangles are ideal, but the trusses must be in harmony with the structure, meaning all the sides of the repeating triangles must be attached to the main structure. They must also be able to accommodate changes of distance between the beams. In general, the closer a triangle is to being equilateral, the stronger the structure will be.

X Shapes

X shapes can be found on many bridges and structures. Most of the time, they are used for tension purposes, to hold the corners of a box in so they stay square and do not collapse. While X shapes are great for metal structures, however, they are not always appropriate for wood or straw structures. They are good for keeping two parallel beams from separating, but it is important to have a beam that restricts the movement of these parallel beams. X shapes are not substitutes for structural members but are reinforcing members.

When building towers in Mystery Architecture, X shapes are very helpful, but only if they are needed (like for large mass supporting structures). The most important thing about X shapes is that they must, like almost all trusses, must be inside the beams or boxes they are trying to support to be most effective. Thus, they are much less useful in bridges than other structures.

Pyramid Method

When building towers in Mystery Architecture, it is imperative to have a larger base than peak, and the beams connecting corners must be straight and able to resist bending.

Tension and Compression

When building a structure, it is vital to consider tension and compression. This applies to all structures in this event, as well as other building events that involve similar structural members.

Tension members are beams which experience a "pulling apart" force. Tension member examples are the X shapes in a high school stadium, the wires holding up the road deck in a suspension bridge and the members at the bottom of a common truss. Metal is very strong in tension, but wood is much weaker.

Compression members are beams which experience a "pushing together" force. To help accomplish the task of supporting other members and prevent structural collapse, common designs for compression members include chair legs, straws, H beams in skyscrapers, and the "L shape" which is used in many balsa constructions. Wood is relatively strong in compression.

An easy way to think of these forces is by replacing the member with a piece of string. A tension member theoretically could be replaced with string as they are designed to keep members from separating. However, a compression member could not be replaced with string, as it would be completely unable to prevent the members from collapsing on themselves.

**2016 National Tournament Trial Events**
Division B: Hovercraft · Geocaching · Potions and Poisons \| Division C: Code Busters · Mystery Design · Remote Sensing

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-{{Incomplete}}
+{{EventLinksBox
+|active=
+|type=Inquiry
+|cat=Lab
+|2018thread=[https://scioly.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=264&t=10869 2018]
+|2019thread=[https://scioly.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=284&t=12236 2019]
+|B Champion=[[Springhouse Middle School]]
+}}
+'''Mystery Architecture''' is a [[Division B]] event that is set to return for the [[2018]] season. It was previously run as a trial event in [[New York]] during the [[2013]] season, and last run nationally in [[2008]].  In this event, teams are given materials such as straws, cups, string, tape, wooden dowels, and other materials to build a structure. Structures that must be built have included cantilevers, arches, towers, and bridges. Most of the structures are judged on height/distance spanned and are required to hold a specified amount.
-==Overview==
+==Strategy==
-This event consisted of competitors being given a building task and materials such as straws, cups, string, tape, wooden dowels and other materials to build their structure. They normally included cantilevers, towers, bridges, and sometimes others. Many of them were judged on height/distance spanned and/or required the structure to hold a specified amount.
+The key to this event is practice. One suggested way to practice is to compile a list of structures to build, and ask teammates or a coach to provide materials to construct these structures. If three or more students are involved with the event, they can build the same structure with the same materials separately, in order to observe the differences and see which strategies work better than others.
-'''Engineering, where ideas turn into technology'''
+More keys to success in this event:
-Engineering is the best, most fun career in the whole entire world. It allows you to make stuff out of thin-air. Without engineers, the computer in front of you would not exist, nor the chair you are sitting on, nor the building you are in, nor the electricity to it, nor clean water, etc.
+*Knowledge of building materials and how they can be used
+*Experience in building and constructing structures out of those materials
+*General knowledge of truss systems and how they work, etc.
+*'''KISS''': "Keep It Simple, Stupid". KISS is always a good thing to keep in mind for engineering events. The simplest ideas work the best and usually involve a combo of triangles and arches. Calculation of loads in the structures isn't necessary but can be useful. Knowledge of the limitations of your structures and how to fix them is key.
-The key to this event is practice practice practice. Ask people on your team to make a list of structures to build and then give you materials similar to the list above and then construct it. It might even be best if you have three or some other engineering inclined students to build the same structure with the same materials separately. This is so you can observe the differences and what works and what doesn't.
+===Structural Efficiency===
+In short, the efficiency of a structure is equal to the weight supported divided by the weight of the structure. A large efficiency is desired, but the highest possible efficiency varies. At past national competitions, the top efficiency for towers was around 5500.
+==Truss Systems and Supporting Shapes==
-Keys to success in this event:
+===Arches===
--Knowledge of building materials and how they can be used
+:'''Non-tied Arches''' are arches that exert pressure outward and downward. Examples include Roman arches in buildings and bridges which contain an arch in the substructure.
+:'''Tied arches''' are a crescent shape with a tension member connecting each end of the arch to prevent outward pressure at the ends. This makes the arch self-contained and cancels horizontal stresses.
+:'''Trussed Arch''' are tied arches with a network of trusses, usually triangular in nature. However, the arch can also only have vertical members to hold up a flat deck. Trussed arches are a very efficient way to build a bridge.
--Experience in building and constructing structures out of those materials
+===Triangles===
+'''Triangles''' are very strong shapes since they spread weight evenly throughout the shape. However, like all truss systems, they are only useful when used in proper context. For the strongest trusses, equilateral triangles are ideal, but the trusses must be in harmony with the structure, meaning all the sides of the repeating triangles must be attached to the main structure. They must also be able to accommodate changes of distance between the beams. In general, the closer a triangle is to being equilateral, the stronger the structure will be.
--General knowledge of truss systems and how they work, etc.
+===X Shapes===
+'''X shapes''' can be found on many bridges and structures. Most of the time, they are used for tension purposes, to hold the corners of a box in so they stay square and do not collapse. While X shapes are great for metal structures, however, they are not always appropriate for wood or straw structures. They are good for keeping two parallel beams from separating, but it is important to have a beam that restricts the movement of these parallel beams. X shapes are not substitutes for structural members but are reinforcing members.
-== General Knowledge of Truss Systems ==
+When building towers in Mystery Architecture, X shapes are very helpful, but only if they are needed (like for large mass supporting structures). The most important thing about X shapes is that they must, like almost all trusses, must be inside the beams or boxes they are trying to support to be most effective. Thus, they are much less useful in bridges than other structures.
-Arches...
+===Pyramid Method===
+When building towers in Mystery Architecture, it is imperative to have a larger base than peak, and the beams connecting corners must be straight and able to resist bending.
-'''Tied-arches''' crescent shape with a tension member that goes inside the arch connecting each end of the arch to prevent outward pressure at the ends. This can make the arch self contained and cancels horizontal stresses.
+==Tension and Compression==
+When building a structure, it is vital to consider tension and compression. This applies to all structures in this event, as well as other building events that involve similar structural members.
-'''Non-tied Arches''' arches that exert pressure outward and downward. Examples, Roman arches in buildings, bridges with the arch in the substructure.
+'''Tension members''' are beams which experience a "pulling apart" force. Tension member examples are the X shapes in a high school stadium, the wires holding up the road deck in a suspension bridge and the members at the bottom of a common truss. Metal is very strong in tension, but wood is much weaker.
-'''Trussed Arch''' a tied arch with a network of trusses, usually triangular in nature. However can have just vertical members that hold up the road deck. Very efficient way to build a bridge.
+'''Compression members''' are beams which experience a "pushing together" force. To help accomplish the task of supporting other members and prevent structural collapse, common designs for compression members include chair legs, straws, H beams in skyscrapers, and the "L shape" which is used in many balsa constructions. Wood is relatively strong in compression.
-Triangles...
+An easy way to think of these forces is by replacing the member with a piece of string. A tension member theoretically could be replaced with string as they are designed to keep members from separating. However, a compression member could not be replaced with string, as it would be completely unable to prevent the members from collapsing on themselves.
-'''Triangles''' Triangles are the strongest structures in engineering. However, like all truss systems the are only useful when used in proper context. They are the most important part of truss but are worth about 32 cents when used for other purposes. For the strongest truss, you want to use an equilateral triangle. However, the trusses must be in harmony with the structure, meaning all the sides of the repeating triangles must be glued to the main structure (beams that the trusses are holding together). They must also be able to accommodate changes of distance between the beams. If you can't use an equilateral, the closer you can get your triangle to be one, the closer the strength will be compared to the equilateral.
-X's..
-'''X's''' can be found on many bridges and structures. Your high school stadium has them between posts that hold up the seats, they are in skyscrapers, etc. Most of the time they are used for tension purposes, to hold the corners of a box in so they stay square and don't go out. X's are great for metal structures and are practically a staple. However, they are not always appropriate for wood, straw, or whatever structures. They are good for keeping two parallel beams from separating but it is important to have a beam also connect the parallel beams in a square pattern or at least at both ends. X's are not substitutes but are reinforcement for what is there.
-They are not great for bridges because they are heavy and not as efficient as triangles, however are good for towers unless you are trying to go super-light (below 8 grams). When building towers in Mystery Arch, they are very helpful, but only if they are needed (like for large mass supporting structures). The most important thing about Xes is that they must, like almost all trusses, must be inside the beams or boxes they are trying to support to be most effective.
-Pyramid Method
-When building towers, in M. Arch, and Towers, it is imperative to have a bigger base than you have top, and the beams connecting corners to corners must be straight and resist bending.
-'''Difference Between a Tension Truss Beam and a Compression Truss Beam'''
-Important things to think about when building a structure are Tension and Compression of various aspects of your structure. In Boomilever, Bridge and some similar projects in mystery arch, this is more important. In tower, it isn't really because the simple tower is almost all compression, the only thing to think about is the compression/tension ratios your tower and its trusses have as the near vertical members (poles) linking the top corners with the bottom corners spread out as you get lower in the tower. In this case, the structure gains stability at the expense of more wood needed to span the gaps between the poles as they get further and further apart.
-Tension Members are beams that theoretically could be replaced with string as they are designed to keep members from separating. Tension member examples are the X's in your high school's stadium, the wires holding up the road deck in a suspension bridge, and most importantly, trusses that start from the middle of a bridge and go up and out
-Compression members are beams you would rather replace with steel if you had the opportunity as they are basically similar to the chair legs under your butt. Compression members resist against the Gravity that pulls you toward the ground. To help accomplish the task of supporting something, common designs for compression members (which are the legs of your chair) include chair legs, straws, H beams (in skyscrapers) as well as the "L" which is used in lost of balsa constructions. When you think about it, compression members are some of the most simple things to make, for instance, if you want to sit on something, just pull up a log and sit on it and it is a compression member. However, you can't use logs for your M. Arch projects and for your towers, bridges, and boomilevers.
-Unfortunately, this is where it gets hairy. Efficiency = Weight Supported / Weight of the structure. You want to have the largest number possible. So... what is possible? That is why these events were made, the top ratio of eff for towers at national competition was around 5500:1 or about 550000%. The following are tips to increase efficiency in the three balsa events and can be applied to M. Arch.
-'''KISS'''
-Keep it simple stupid. Just like in mission, KISS is still in effect for engineering events. The simplest ideas work the best and usually that is a combo of triangles and arches. Remember, you don't have an engineering degree. Calculation of various aspects of your structures isn't necessarily needed but is useful. Knowledge of the limitations of your structures and how to fix them is key.
-{{Dead End}}
+{{2016 National Trials}}
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