This document summarizes a student project to design and test a load-bearing skeletal structure made of popsicle sticks. The group explored different joint systems and load-bearing designs. They constructed a three-level tower and tested it by incrementally increasing the load up to 12.5kg. Analysis found the V-bracing design best distributed the load. Testing revealed failures when pins cracked sticks, strings loosened, or bracing split under heavy loads. The project provided insights into structural design and load analysis.

1. PROJECT 1
Understanding Forces in Skeletal Structures
G R O U P M E M B E R S
J a n n a h J a i l a n i ( 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 )
M e e r a N a z r e e n ( 0 3 0 9 6 3 0 )
S h a r i f a h D i y a n a ( 1 0 0 6 A H 7 8 3 7 3 )
S o h Y o u S h i n g ( 0 3 0 8 3 1 0 )
S u r a y y n S e l v a n ( 0 3 0 9 8 1 8 )
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2
[ ARC 2513 ]

2. C O N T E N T PA G E
I N T R O D U C T I O N
D E S I G N C O N C E P T
P H A S E S
EXPLORATION
JOINT SYSTEMS
LOAD BEARING SYSTEMS
CONSTRUCTION
LOAD TESTING
A N A LY S I S
LOAD DISTRIBUTION
TIME LAPSE
RESULTS
C O N C L U S I O N

3. I N T R O D U C T I O N
This project required us to produce a skeletal load bearing structure that can stand up
to a minimum of 1.25kg load. The materials used, however, were limited to popsicle
sticks, toothpicks, threads and pins. No adhesive materials were allowed and the
structure was to stand on top of an A5 base. The number of popsicle sticks were
limited to 100 pieces only. Once the structure has been completed, it must be tested
and an analysis in the form of a report must be produced.

4. D E S I G N C O N C E P T
The design concept of our structure was a result from researching and analyzing
different types of braces possible with the use of popsicle sticks. Due to the
prohibition of using any adhesive material, different methods have been
experimented and applied to the structure in order to achieve the maximum
strength and bearing weight.
The key elements that were highlighted and included:
1. Joints – Suitable joining methods to hold the structure together that allows a
higher load to be bore.
Example: Pins, string
2. Form – The form of the structure is a consequence of the shapes used as the
base of the structure.
Example: Triangle, square
1. Bracing – Proper and sturdy bracing allows the load to be distributed equally
between parts, providing the structure with stability and strength.
Example: V-bracing

5. P H A S E S
E X P L O R A T I O N
J O I N T I N G S Y S T E M S
Method 1
Popsicle Sticks Tied With Strings
With Bracings
Connecting the popsicle sticks using
string allows flexible joining among the
popsicle sticks. The bracing actually
helps to strengthen the joint system.
Method 2
Interlocking Popsicle Sticks
Interlocking the popsicle sticks is
strong as it can withstand high
pressure but it can only be done in
certain angle (90 degree).
Method 3
Popsicle Sticks Tied With Strings
With A Cut Hole
This method is not as efficient as the
previous two methods as the strings
came off easily and the cut hole is not
really helping the popsicle sticks to be
tied together with the string.

6. P H A S E S
E X P L O R A T I O N
J O I N T I N G S Y S T E M S
Method 4
Popsicle Sticks Connected Using
Pin
The pin helps the joints to held closely
together but the popsicle sticks crack
slight especially under high tension.
The Combination Method
Popsicle Sticks Connected Using
Pin And String
Using pin and string to tie the popsicle
sticks make it much stronger although
there is still a slightly crack on the
popsicle sticks.
The Combination Method
Cross Bracing Using Pin And String
For the bracing part, we decided to use
string to tie the popsicle sticks together
and also connecting it using pin and
bend the excess pin. It helps the
bracing to be held together closely.

7. P H A S E S
E X P L O R A T I O N
L O A D B E A R I N G S Y S T E M S
1. VERTICAL LOAD BEARING SYSTEM
The vertical force that acts on the structure is called the
compression force. This force squashes the structure, shortening
it. The vertical members intend to transfer the load to the
structures below.
2. HORIZONTAL LOAD BEARING SYSTEM
The horizontal force acting upon the structure is called the tension
force. The horizontal members of the structure intend to transfer
this tension downwards to the member below it.
3. ARCHED LOAD BEARING SYSTEM
The structure that is subjected to both compression and tension
force is being bent. When compressed, the arch functions as a
system in which the load is transferred equally throughout the
structure.
From top left, anti-clockwise:
Cross bracing structure, V- bracing structure, arch
member, digital model of a v-shaped structure,
triangular shaped member
Acting Load
Compression Force
Tension Force

8. P H A S E S
C O N S T R U C T I O N
Step 1
Connecting Main Component
Connecting the popsicle sticks by
using pins to strengthen the joint
system and creating a modular
component. The bracing helps in
supporting the component.
Step 2
Reinforcing Main Component
The joints are then reinforced by tying
of strings . This makes the component
stronger and more stable.
Step 3
Slotting Of Components
The components are then slotted
together. The pins are slotted in
between the popsicle sticks of another
component.

9. P H A S E S
C O N S T R U C T I O N
Step 4
Connecting square component
Four modular components are slotted
together to form a square base. This
strengthens the form of the tower.
Step 5
Reinforcing square component
The square components are then
reinforced by tying strings at all of the
joints. This stabilizes the square form.
Step 6
Building the tower
Three square modular components are
then placed on top of each other to
create a tower. The joints are then
reinforced and tied together by using
strings.

10. P H A S E S
L O A D T E S T I N G
FINAL WEIGHT OF EACH TEST:
1ST TEST – 6.6 KG
2ND TEST – 7.5 KG
3RD TEST – 12.5 KG
The initial testing was to test our base structure which consisted of V bracing in the middle of each sides. The popsicle sticks were connected
and reinforced with threads as well as pins on each end. This test was conducted by using laptops and a bottle full of water. At the weight of 6.6
KG, the structure had leaned towards its side due to the lack in strength of the threads.
F I R S T T E S T
1.2 KG 2.4 KG 3.6 KG 6.6 KGBASE STRUCTURE

11. The second testing was done to a 3 level of the similar structure in the first trial with actual weight load. However each structure was not tied up
or connected together. The middle structure was placed upside down for a better load flow. At the weight of 7.5KG, the structure started to
wobble. The testing was stopped as the structure cannot support anymore weight as they were not connected properly. Nevertheless, the tying
method of the thread has been reinforced and standardized for each part.
S E C O N D T E S T
2.5 KG 5 KG 6.25 KG 7.5 KG
The final testing for the structure has been done after all of the 3 structures were connected properly with a proper tying with the thread on each
4 sides. On the initial for this testing started off with a 2 KG of weight which progressively increases up until it reached 12.5 KG.
T H I R D T E S T
P H A S E S
L O A D T E S T I N G
2.5 KG 5 KG 7.5 KG 10 KG 11.25 KG 12.5 KG

12. A N A LY S I S
L O A D D I S T R I B U T I O N
After analysis, we concluded that the V-bracing would be the best fit for our structure. This is
because of the point load area that is located at the top that transfers the load equally to the
next modular structure located below. The square base gives more area for the load to be
distributed to the ground.
TENSION FORCE
COMPRESSION FORCE
12 2
3
Popsicle stick 1 transfers the loads horizontally to the
vertical popsicle sticks 2. While this happens, the load
transfers equally to popsicle stick V-bracing 3.
1 2
3 3
The compression force acting on popsicle stick 1, is
transferred downwards vertically. The load applied to point
2, is transferred equally on the V-bracing towards popsicle
stick 3, which is horizontal.

13. A N A LY S I S
T I M E L A P S E
Weight (kg) 2.5 5.0 7.5 10.0
Changes To The
Structure
Weight (kg) 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0
Changes To The
Structure

14. A N A LY S I S
R E S U L T S
Failure 1
The popsicle stick detached from the
tower as the pin was not strong enough
due to high tension. In order to
overcome this problem, we could drill
the holes instead of using hammer.
This method will prevent the popsicle
sticks to crack.
Failure 2
The string was loosen which caused
the bracing to split. The solution for this
is by using toothpick so that the
popsicle sticks can be attached tightly.
Thus, the bracing will be strong
enough.
Failure 3
The tower lost it’s balance as the
bracing was split as shown and
causing it to fall. One way to solve this
is by making the base more stable,
example creating a bigger base,
change the way of bracing, etc.

15. C O N C L U S I O N
By completing this project, we have a deeper understanding towards the importance
of building construction in architectural design. We are able to explore construction
design, structural analysis, skeleton strength and load distribution through this project.
This gives us knowledge on different joint methods and how each structure reacts to a
system. Every single structure in a system is as equally important to make it stand.
Through constructing structures and load testing, we were able to learn important
points that would help improvise our final structure.