This document summarizes a student assignment to construct a tower model out of materials like popsicle sticks to understand forces in skeletal structures. The objectives were to create an understanding of skeletal structures and how they react under loading. The students designed an hourglass-shaped tower with triangular structures, beams, columns, and cross-bracing. They tested their tower, but it toppled at 17.5 kg, less than their goal of 40 kg, likely due to imbalanced levels and a smaller middle base. The students analyzed the failure and concluded they could improve their workmanship and time management for future projects.

1. ASSIGNMENT 1
UNDERSTANDING FORCES IN SKELETAL STRUCTURE
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2

2. THE MEMBERS
ADILA ZAAS 0310417
YASEEN SYED 030921
KEE TING TING 0310019
GERTRUDE LEE 0306265
SWAFAA SIHAG 0306347
SONIA MANYIE 0801A65704

3. INSIDE THE WRITE-UP
CONTENTS
DESIGN CONCEPT
TOWER STRUCTURE
TOWER MODEL TESTING
CONSTRUCTION METHOD
MATERIALS STUDY
FORCE STUDY
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION
FAILURE ANALYSIS

4. INTRODUCTION
THE BEGINNING
TASKS
Our Task is to construct a model of a
tower to understand the Forces in Skeletal
Structure. The only materials that are allowed
to use for the model are popsicle stick, tooth-
pick, thread, pins and a base ( A5 SIZE ) . We
had been reminded that no glue or any
adhesive material are allowed to construct the
model. Next, the minimum requirement of the
model height should be more than 30 CM,
measured from the base to the top. As for
the popsicle sticks, it must not exceed more
than 100 pieces. The analysis of success and
failure of the tower together with the analysing
measure is to be provided in the form of an A3
bound report.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this assignment is to
create and understanding of skeletal structure
and its relevant structural components. In the
progress of constructing the model, we could
increase the knowledge to understand how a
skeletal structure reacts under loading. Next,
the objective is for us to be able to
manipulate Skeletal Construction to solve an
oblique Design Problem. As we counter the
task, we are able to demonstrate a convincing
understanding of how Skeletal Construction
works.
In the future, we are able to apply the
construction system in our own design. We
also be able to recognize the implication of
construction system in design. To conclude,
we shall be able to identify the issues of
strength, stiffness and stabilty of our design
structure.

5. THINKING PROCESS BEGIN
DESIGN CONCEPT
THE CONCEPT
The Concept of our Model Tower been
inspired by the shape of an Hour Glass.
It shows an expressive of “Time is Crucial”
and “You gotta Chase For It No Matter What”
THE SHAPE
The Triangular shape, supports and
strenghtens towers and bridges by preventing
collapse, or racking of the structures. With-
out the central triangular beam the structure
would be more likely to collapse from dynamic
loads. This is because the triangle is a strong
shape.The triangle are the strongest shape
because of their ability to bear large loads
without deformation. In addition the center
of gravity for Triangular Shape is more stable
than Regular Shape.
THE SKETCHUPREALITY

6. TOWER STRUCTURE
THE STRENGTH OF CONSTRUCTION
BEAMS
Beams are the horizontal membranes of a structure
that responsible for carrying all vertical loads and
transmitting the force towards the columns.
COLUMNS
Columns are vertical posts that hold the entire
structure and protect it from lateral integration
Their main function is to transmit compressional
forces from all other structural members to the base.
CROSS BRACING
In construction cross bracing is used to reinforce
building structures in which diagonal supports
intersect. The two diagonal supports placed in an
X-shaped manner, support tensional forces.
REINFORCEMENTS
The type of reinforcements we used in our structure
are threads and pins. These hold the structure
together.
BASE
The base is the most important member, because
it holds the forces of the whole structure,
therefore it should have the most load bearing
capacity.

7. A PROPER METHOD PLAN FOR PERFECT OUTCOME
CONSTRUCTION METHOD
THE REINFORCEMENT
THREADS
PINS

8. MATERIALS STUDY
TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERIALS
THE TOTALS
Triangles:
6 sticks per traingle.
4 triangles therefor = 6*4 = 24 sticks
Verticle columns:
6 sticks each level
3 levels therefore = 6*3 = 18 sticks
Criss-cross:
1 side = 2 sticks
1 level has 3 sides therefore = 2*3 = 6
3 levels therefore = 6*3 = 18 sticks
Total number of sticks:
24+18+18
=70 sticks
Weight
= 0.97g
Height
= 30 cm

9. A PROPER METHOD PLAN FOR PERFECT OUTCOME
TOWER MODEL TESTING
FIRST TEST
We test our Model with the load that is minimum been stated
inside the brief. We were too confidence as we thought that our
model can stand for more weight in the Final Testing Model.
Final Tower Test
In the studio we are labelled as group B number 5B. As our
turned arrive, we were hoping that our Tower Model can reach
more than 40 kg as that is the only weight we had that time.
Unfortunately it toppled around 17.5 kg of load. None of our
popsicle stick break but it just topple as it lose it balance when
carrying the load. Our tutor came to us and felt pity of the
incident. She was surprised too. As she took our model and
analyse it, she gave us the reason why and asked to record it
inside Failure Analysis. We were quite sad to see the event but
we learnt a lot from it too. The efficiency calculated given by our
lecturer.
EFFICIENCY = Height x Load / Mass
= 30 x 17.5 / 970
= 0.5412
LOAD
PLATFORM
CROSS
BRACING
FORCE
EXERTED
GIRDER
BASE
GROUND

10. FAILURE ANALYSIS
RE-INVESTIGATE FAILURE FOR BETTER TOMORROW
The reinforcements were strong enough and
therefore the tower did not collapse.
It toppled over due to the imbalanced levels
The bracings used were strong and
could bear the weights. They helped to
keep the tower in place.
The reinforcements were strong enough and
therefore the tower did not collapse.
It toppled over due to the imbalanced levels.
The bracings used were strong and
could bear the weights. They helped
to keep the tower in place.
While building the tower,we did not fasten
it to a flat base on the ground. This affected the
structure in that it was not standing straight up
while under construction.The tower eventually be-
came slightly slanted.
Both the top and bottom level,had the same base
width but the middle level base was smaller than both
of the level.
We can conclude that the reasons for the failure were:

11. ITS NEVER THE END
CONCLUSION
In Conclusion, It reflect to us back when we
got the result for out final Test Model Tower. Our
Tower Could Only Bare for 17.5 kg eventhough we
hope for more. As we think back of our behaviour
before the tower model testing. We were too confi-
dence with our tower. Nevertheless, our
workmanship is in a medium level only which we
could had upgrade for more. In addition, our time
management was really bad as we realise that our
first design been finished nearly the Model Tower
Testing.
Think back, it’s never too late for us to learn
from our mistake and repair it in the future. It also
triggered us to learn Building Construction more as it
will gais us more knowledge from it.
SUMMARY
MODEL : 1
WEIGHT : 0.97 kg
HEIGHT : 30 cm
Total
Number of : 70 Sticks
Stick
Height : 30 cm
Load Sustained : 17.5 kg
Joint Method : Pins and Thread
Failure Point : Middle Structure
Effieciency : 0.5412