Straw tower

Design process
We had a few designs for our tower and we experimented with many different types of theories and
designs but at last we decided to stick to Yvonne Tan’s idea of “frame within a frame” and also Sarah
Ahmad’s right-angled triangle modular tower.
(Add photos of sketch models, drawings of sketch models)

Most successful sketch model;-

Length of straws – 13.8m
No. of modules – 24

Reasons why we had to modify this sketch model;-

1) The length of the straws was too long.
2) Type of straw had a smaller diameter, increasing the
strength of the straws.
3) Too many joints.
4) Did not reach the minimum height of 30cm.

Final design
1) Length of straws; – 9.4m
2) Total no. of joints ;- 96
 Smoking pipe cleaners – 57
 Thread – 39
3) Type of straws – McDonald’s straws
4) Precedent study of choice ;- New Tokyo Tower/Tokyo Sky Tree
5) Concept ;- Frame within a frame

Modules are right-angled triangles;-

Measurements – 15cm x 11cm x 18.6cm
No. of modules used – 12
Purpose – distribute the forces of the load from top to
bottom.
Length of vertical bracing – 32cm
Purpose - distribute the forces of the load from top to bottom.

Core;-
No. of single core – 6
Total length of core –
Purpose of core - distribute the forces of the load from top to bottom and also to prevent tower
from rotating.

Add process of construction – sketches and pictures of joints

Successes

2 kg – 2 minute challenge – Successfully passed the challenge.

It collapsed 6 seconds after 2 minutes due to unequal
distribution of weight (sugar bags) on top of the tower.

Re-try; - it could still withstand total weight of 2kgs

Forces were being distributed through single diagonal bracings

that were put on all sides of the prism shaped tower, and also
through the vertical bracings also found on all sides of tower.
The core within the structure also distributed the forces
successfully.

Faults – the tower began to lean towards one

side and bending occurred.

(Sketch out the successes – how the forces

were being transferred etc)
Failures
Maximum weight
tower could
withstand – 3kg;
could not go up to
4kgs.
(Sketch out the
failures)

Reasons why it could not take more than 3kgs;

 Core was unsuccessful at preventing tower from
rotating.
 Tower was over-stressed due to tests taken place
before the actual challenge.
 No. of modules were reduced therefore strength of tower was reduced.
 Modules were too long.
 Force was concentrated at the centre of the tower.
 Tower was instable which led to it leaning to one side.

Rectifications for the failures of the tower

 Repositioning of the core to be attached to outer part of vertical bracing instead of
centre vertical bracings.
 Should not have over-stressed tower in order for the strength of the tower to remain.
 Add more modules.
 Reduce length of module.
 Transfer load force straight to the ground from the top.
 Adding strength and load to bottom of tower to add stability.

(Sketch out the rectifications)