The Shaking-table Tests

In the final competition, models will be tested on a shaking-table for a series of earthquakes. The first earthquake will be very small. Then the size of the earthquakes will be increased gradually up to the maximum that the shaking-table can produce.

The Most-Efficient Model

For every model, a record will be made of its imaginary cost and the size of the earthquake that causes it to fail.

An efficiency ratio for your model will be calculated as:

The team with the model that has the highest efficiency ratio will win the prize for the "Most Efficient Model".

Failure criteria for Models

During the shaking-table tests, a model will be judged to have failed for any of the following conditions:

• Complete collapse of the model.
• One or more of the floors collapse.
• Steel blocks fall out of the building or move around excessively.
• The connections between the columns and the base are such that rocking of the model building occurs. (Note that sliding at the base is permitted).
  
• More than half the columns fail where they connect to the base.
• Any other failure that the judges decide would cause deaths within a building.

Note: The judges' decision is final.