Project 5:  Building Design

Who

This project will use the same groups as in Projects 3 and 4.

When

As a group, complete the following nine steps by your section's lab period during the week of November 28-December 2.  You should be ready to discuss and/or show your results during that lab period.

What

Step 1. 

have each group design a building from the following using similar approach to Projects 2, 3 and 4

create cost estimate; virtual or physical model

ask them to "show off" their skills with topics from later in the semester?

Step 2. 

have them create a video as their end-of-semester presentation, instead of giving a face-to-face or VCC presentation

  • provide links to free editing software (cut and splice)
  • can this be included in wiki?

Step 3. 

OR HAVE THEM DO NEW EXPERIMENTS INSTEAD OF A DESIGN PROJECT

  • frame shear
    • provide small 2x4 frame to each group
    • students design efficient way to brace corners
    • students buy bracing materials
    • rank designs (and scores) by maximum force / cost
  • efficient connection contest
    • provide 2x4s pre-cut with 45-degree angle on both ends so that they can be tested in 4485
    • students design how to efficiently connect them
    • rank designs (and scores) by maximum force / cost
    • show example connection loaded in testing machine
    • explain that the cut ends must be in line in order to sit correctly in testing machine
    • if a box of nails is purchased, only include the pro-rated cost for the nails used in the connection
    • OR could have them model the roof connections in the storage building they picked
  • beam-load contest
    • 3-point loading using 4469 and/or 4485
    • students predict max load beforehand
    • score is based on how close they get to the actual value
    • they buy their own board
    • give them the max. allowable span ... or give a fixed span length
    • give max size of beam that can fit in testing machines
    • give diameter of rollers
    • allow them to place the beams on edge or flat?
    • compare to results from Project 3
  • beam-deflection contest
    • students predict deflection for a specified load and span
    • use lathe-bed fixture with dead weights, dial gages
    • require that the beam must not break during testing
    • compare to results from Project 3
  • test plywood, 2x4 attachment with different nails and spacings
  • wood tension in 4485
  • wood compression parallel and perpendicular to grain in 4469
    • see if stud can support estimated compressive loads from Project 3
  • check bearing between stud and floor, plywood, etc
  • Janka hardness tests
  • fastener withdrawal tests
  • moisture content tests

Step 4. 

 

Step 5. 

Step 6.