NC Science Olympiad: How to Reduce your Tower Weight

Simply placing your tower diagonally across the platform opening reduces the length of the sides needed, thus reducing the tower weight and increasing your structural efficiency.

For more information on this event, visit: http://www.sciencenc.com/event-help/tower.php

Category:

Education

Tags:

• nc
• ncso
• north
• carolina
• science
• olympiad
• tower
• towers
• balsa
• wood
• ca
• cyanoacrylate
• glue
• super
• mass
• weight
• efficiency
• diagonal
• platform
• angle

[ScrewU452]

Im just worried if some event supervisers would disqualify that. i have to check

[kellstuh]

@ScrewU452 no. they will not. there is nothing against the rules about doing this, it is simply good design.

[fireheart347]

This is a really good idea, but I am just wondering: When you go in for inspection, don't they have a rig already set up with 20 cm marked. I don't think there is any way to place it to fit the specs in that. Am I wrong in my thinking?

[kellstuh]

@fireheart347 The one in the video is spanning a 20 cm opening. I don't know what you're referring to.

[OfficialAlchemist]

well, the new rules say that it has to fit in ALL combinations of sides, so remember THAT!

[skitty1234567891]

Thank you sooo much! :D Great idea, might use it!

[yoachallenge]

ok it actually never says the tower has to be 20X20 all they say is that the square will be 20 by 20 and if you make the base too small , then it will be physically impossible to test your tower and you get tiered down. but, you CAN make it 16-17 cm for the base and still be able to test it. It will actually be stronger than a 20by20 cm base tower because the legs are shorter and are more vertical.

[ScrewU452]

Thanks. I wasjust worried because it talksabout a square gap and i wondered if different supervisers interpret it differently

[starshinerz]

When you did the cross part of the wood, do you just overlap it?

[freeskidude44]

you must think youre clever, dont you.