Balsawood Structure Design
Balsawood Structure Design1. Introduction:
This report is the first stage of the design, construction and testing
of a balsa wood structure. In April, the design will be tested against
classmates’ designs, where the design with the highest load/weight ratio
wins. The information gained from this report will be used in the
construction of the structure. The report is composed of two sections.
The first is an evaluation of material properties of balsa, glues and
different joint configurations. The second section consists of a
discussion on a preliminary design that is based on conclusions drawn
from the testing section.
Common material tests of tension, compression and bending were
performed and analyzed. The qualities of three different adhesives were
tested and evaluated, and finally, three different joint configurations
were tested. Illustrations of each test setup are included. Whenever
possible, qualitative results will be given as opposed to strictly
quantitative values. A qualitative result is much more useful in
general design decisions. Experimental results from the testing stage
combined with experiences is working with the materials offered clues
for the preliminary design.
The design section mixes both practical and experimental experience
together to present the best possible solution for the structure. It
also offers additional insights that were not considered in the initial
material testing procedure. The design presented in the this section,
is likely to be similar the final model, however modifications may be
needed for the final design that were unforeseeable at the time of this
report.
This report generally functions as a guide for the construction stage of
the project. Its role is to provide useful information and a basis for
the final design. Before the final design is tested, prototypes will be
constructed to test the principles discussed in this report. The goal
of this report is to combine the results from testing and experience to
produce a working preliminary design.
2. Material Testing
All standard testing was performed on the Applied Test System located in
room XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. The goal of this section is to determine the
material strengths of balsa, and how balsa responds to different
loading. Before testing, the basic structure of balsa needs to be
considered. Wood grain is composed of bundles of thin tubular
components or fibers which are naturally formed together. When loaded
parallel to this grain, the fibers exhibit the greatest strength. When
loaded perpendicular to the grain, the fibers pull apart easily, and the
material exhibits the least strength.
Generally, for design considerations, the weakest orientation should be
tested. However, testing procedure called for testing of the material
in the greatest strength orientations; torsion and compression, parallel
to the grain, and bending with the shear forces perpendicular to the
grain. Testing the materials for their “best direction” characteristics
can...
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