IDEERS - Model Making

If bracing or guy ropes in a model are slack, they will not help resist the sideways earthquake forces straight away.
Instead, other parts of your model will have to take the force until the string become tight.
You may not have designed those parts to resist the sideways force.

If the base of your model is not flat, it will lean over to one side when it is mounted on a horizontal surface.
This means that when you do the vertical load test, the vertical load will not act through the centre of your base board.
Instead the load will act to one side and tend to pull your model over. This will put extra forces on your model.

If your model is stiffer on one side than the other, it will twist and turn when shaken by the earthquakes.

If your model has more mass on one side than on the other, it will twist and turn when shaken by the earthquakes.

Modelling Technique

Your model will be stronger if you construct it carefully.

Make sure that the pieces of MDF fit tightly when you glue them together. ( Show Me )
Make sure that paper and MDF are glued securely together. (Show Me)
Make sure that the ends of string are secured tightly. (Show Me)
Where possible use one strip of MDF for a series of columns. Avoid cutting your columns off at each floor level as that will create weak points in your model. ( Show Me )
Make sure that string used for bracing or guy ropes is pulled tightly between its ends so that it is in tension. ( Why ? )
Make sure that the underside of the MDF base board will sit flat on a horizontal surface.
( Why ? ) ( Show Me )
Try to make your model symmetric (Why?)
Plan for the steel blocks, used for the vertical load, to be placed symmetrically on your model. (Why?)

      Competition -
              Model Making -
                          Technique

from Bristol University