How can I improve the efficiency of my Boomilever design?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around improving the efficiency of a Boomilever design for a Science Olympiad event. Participants explore the structural challenges faced when constructing a cantilever-like structure that must support a significant weight while minimizing its own mass. The conversation includes technical considerations related to material properties, design strategies, and failure modes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) describes repeated failures of their Boomilever under compression forces, specifically noting that the bottom wood snaps when weight is applied.
  • Some participants inquire about the mode of failure, suggesting that buckling may be a significant factor in the structural failure of the Boomilever.
  • One participant explains Euler's buckling theory and how the moment of inertia (I) affects the load-bearing capacity of the structure, emphasizing the need to increase I without changing the length of the wood.
  • Another participant suggests using tapered beams to potentially improve the distribution of stress, although they caution that this may only shift the failure point.
  • There is a discussion about the properties of bass and balsa wood, with some participants questioning the strength of bass wood under compression and suggesting the use of larger wood for better support.
  • Several participants mention the importance of laminating wood to enhance strength and efficiency, with mixed experiences shared regarding its effectiveness.
  • Participants share their competitive efficiencies, with some expressing a desire to collaborate or share strategies to improve their designs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the best approach to improve the Boomilever design. Participants present various strategies and theories, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective methods to enhance performance and efficiency.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the application of Euler's equation and the calculation of the area moment of inertia, indicating a reliance on foundational physics concepts that may not be fully understood by all contributors. Additionally, the discussion includes varying opinions on material properties and design strategies, reflecting a range of experiences and knowledge levels.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and hobbyists involved in engineering competitions, particularly those focusing on structural design and material science. It may also benefit individuals seeking to understand the principles of load-bearing structures and failure modes in engineering contexts.

  • #31
will some of you post your boomilever attachment base pictures on here i can't figure out how to make mine
 
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  • #32
I'm doing this as part of a class, not competing in the competition.
Have any of you tried a square boomilever, like the ones on a crane?
Also, laving an L with a connecting point from the top of the vertical truss to the end of the horizontal one seems to work best; wood loses strength per length in compression, but not in tension.

Also, what is "laminating" the wood?
 
  • #33
your just putting a coat of material on it. I tried this, and it didnt really make my boomileve any more sufficient. It didn't a significant amount more, however, it did weigh a lot more.
 
  • #34
Say Hello To 3100!
Woooottttt!
XD
 
  • #35
an efficiency score of 3100?? sounds a tad unbelievable. your boomilever would have to weigh less then 5 grams, and hold ALL of the weight. If your lying... -.- If your telling the truth...WAY TO GO!
 
  • #36
JC052341-- how do you make your base where the screw hooks to the board? My boomilever is always failure there.
 
  • #37
I would like to preface this statement with saying that I believe the Science Olympiad is a wonderful idea to stimulate and cultivate young interests in the sciences. That having been said; This past weekend my youngest daughter competed in an Olympiad held at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Given the perameters of the boomilever competition, she decided on a design that not only relied on tension, but also compression. I must say it was a very elegant design. The rules stated that an attachment plate would need to accommodate two 1/4 holes for 2"x1/4" bolts with washers 20cm's apart. This was critical to her design. Upon arrival to this phase of the competition she is told only one hole would be provided for a bolt. This was instrumental to the failure of her design. Not having an anchor at the abutment caused a catastrophic failure at the lower attachment point. In her design, she used lamination methods throughout the structure making it not only incredibly strong, but incredibly light. Being it held 14.5kg with the handicap, I can only guess what it might have held with the perameters she was given. Bottom line is she is happy,so I am happy. But I know she would have liked to have won. comments from a proud father.
 
  • #38
hey guys, i don't want to beat anyone from California or New york, i just want to beat my teacher that pretty much stole my plans and built a boomilever with them, for another girl member on the team, and currently has an efficiency score of 888. My highest score as of now is 750, but that's not working! I would REALLY appreciate it if one of yall would help me.
 
  • #39
okay I'm working on this for a science olympiad in connecticut

my question is, with your 'scoring' formulas, is it mass supported (grams)/mass of boomilever (grams)? if so, how the hell do you support fifteen kilos with a five gram boomilever? or fifteen gram boomilever?

you must be doing something else, as a single twenty centimeter dowel weighs about ten grams if not more
 
  • #40
yes, mass held (in grams)/ mass boomilever (in grams). Very simple...OUR DESIGNS ROCK! I don't know how a 5 grams boomilever holds all of the weight (very suspicious if you ask me), but a 15 gram one seems possible. My best score now is just above 888 (haha, i beat that other chick by a couple points), and my boomilever weighs just under 16.9 grams. I am sure that if i lightened my load some, i could get it down to 15 grams...anyways...Its all about design and forethought. What is your best efficiency score (include mass held and weight of your boomilever).
 
  • #41
Hmmm well we haven't competed yet (this weekend) but our boomilever is 160 grams

In tests, without all the supports in place and the glue not set completely we got about 5 kilos haha but I'm going to go get pics of it and finish it...

Our base is a little large but I'm planning to pop a lot of holes in it to drop the weight

Thanks!
 
  • #42
k so just tested it and it held 6 kilos easy (no visible or audible signs of stress).

I couldn't find my postal scale so idk the exact mass of it. Buy it was 155 before I added some extra supports, then I drilled much of the base out.

Will have pics tomorrow if you're curious/wanna help. We threw a lot of different ideas into this that maybe you'll use idk
 
  • #43
bloomp said:
Hmmm well we haven't competed yet (this weekend) but our boomilever is 160 grams

In tests, without all the supports in place and the glue not set completely we got about 5 kilos haha but I'm going to go get pics of it and finish it...

Our base is a little large but I'm planning to pop a lot of holes in it to drop the weight

Thanks!

HOLY CRAP! 160 grams O.O .. and only 5 kilograms were supported...well, here's your problem: your design sux! - no offense or anything. You are most likely one of those people with no engineering skills whatsoever, and continue to add weight to your boomilever because you think that in the grand scheme of things, that extra weight would have helped.

Well...my team ins't going to nationals, and I am a senior, so ill give you some help.
 

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