High-Strength Tower

Mission

Given limited materials and time, design and build a tower, optimizing for height, in order to hold a set weight.

Highlights

• Used engineering statics and finite element concepts to create a truss-structure based tower.
• Built a complex structure out of plastic and adhesive within the time constraints.
• Iteratively tested while proceeding with construction to ensure system integrity.

Role

• Designed tower structure, and substructures. Delegated roles to teammates and ensured maximal efficiency.
• Led iterative testing, applying incrementally greater loads to structure as construction proceeded.

Results

• Greatest load-bearing tower, holding three times the minimum load.
• A few centimeters behind the leading tower, securing a second place position.
• Recognized for having the most engineering-sound structure, as it was able to easily withstand initial weight without sacrificing verticality.