Constructing Environments ENVS 10003 Journal Submission Week 6 1
Construction & Testing Process – Group 2 {2 pieces of clear Radiata pine & 2 pieces of plywood} 3
Design Our Design incorporated multiple members arranged in a formation, with alternating angles. Whilst planning we considered the orientation of member of timber and the resultant strength. We understood that our design would compromise the strength however, the results of the test spoke volumes about loads and which orientations of timber were the strongest.
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Josh Davis 641144
Design & Orientation Spacing and Gaps caused poor distribution of loads resulting in a weak design. Portions of the structure were reinforced and they proved to be quite strong due to the alternating orientation of timber and plywood. Tension and compression were distributed in a way that the materials were actually holding together, thus leaving the structure with strong and weak sections.
Testing & Conclusions Testing proved that our design was weak and therefore we observed a failing when placed under around 175kgs of force. Where reinforcements had been m ade the structure held together, however the due to the weak sections in the design it performed poorly. A far more simple design approach may have seen our structure perform better, with m embers of timber b eing orientated in a consistent m anner.
Compression
Tension
Orientation Radiata pine orientated on its side (width) best held the loads This is because the span of the timber enables the force to be more evenly distributed therefore, even with the bottom side under tension and the top side under compression the timber can maintain its structure up to a point. When a fixture is used to join more than one piece together, the strength properties of the timber are undermined.
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