Team Roles
What is the job of a Material Manager?
Gathers, prepares, distributes, exchanges, and returns materials.
What problem were you solving in this project?
How to design and build an earthquake-resistant building that can withstand the strongest possible earthquake while giving people enough time to safely get out.
Why is it important to draw a design before building?
It helps visualize the structure and ensures accuracy in construction(building).
Were your predictions about the structure the same as the results from testing?
Answers will vary
Looking at our base isolator, we thought it would reduce shaking because it seemed well connected and was flexible but upon testing it did not. so our prediction was very different from the results.
What did your team do well in the project?
Answers will vary
how we communicated, creativity, or execution.
Who ensures the builders follow the design?
The Design Manager
Who faces this problem the most?
The people who face this problem the most are those living in earthquake-prone areas.
Name one material used the most to build and why.
dowels ...
straws ...
cardboard ...
How did your structure compare to the others?
Answers will vary
If your design needed to include a tuned mass damper, what materials could you use to create it, and how would it help?
answers will vary
Materials: A heavy metal or concrete block for the damper, springs or pendulums to hold it, and fluid or special systems to control how it moves.
How it helps: A tuned mass damper is placed at the top of tall buildings to stop them from swaying when it's windy or during an earthquake. It moves the opposite way to the sway, making the building steady and more comfortable for people inside.
What does the Build Manager do during the project?
Follows the plan and coordinates the building process.
Why is solving this problem important?
SOLVING this problem is important because it can save lives during an earthquake.
How did brainstorming with your team help in the project?
Brainstorming with our team helped by:
What did you learn from testing your structure?
The importance of material choice and structural design.
Imagine you are designing a building in an area prone to earthquakes. You have access to base isolators and reinforced concrete. How would you use these materials to make the building safer?
Base isolators: Put these between the building's bottom and the ground to help the building move separately from the shaking during an earthquake, so it doesn’t get damaged.
Reinforced concrete: Use strong concrete with steel inside it for the building's frame, like beams and columns. This makes the building strong and able to bend without breaking during the shaking.
Name one task of the Test Manager.
Conducts tests and records measurements and data.
What does an engineer do to help solve problems like this?
An engineer designs and develops buildings and structures to withstand the forces of an earthquake.
What would happen if there was no plan for building?
If there was no plan for building:
Why is it important for engineers to test their designs?
To identify weaknesses and improve the structure.
How does experimenting with different materials help you make your design better?
Answers will vary
By testing different materials, we can see which ones are the strongest or work best for our design. This helps us improve your project and make sure it will be safe and strong.
How do these roles mimic real-life engineering teams?
Each role reflects a specific responsibility in professional engineering, such as project management, design, testing, and material procurement.
Can you name one other problem engineers solve?
They work on systems that generate, transmit and use electricity.
They design and build structures like roads, bridges and dams.
Explain one challenge you faced while planning your tower.
answers will vary
Deciding on the best plan/materials to solve the problem
What is one thing you learned about your structure during the test and observe stage?
Answers will vary
One thing I learned about my structure during the test and observe stage is how well it responds to earthquake forces.
How did this project help you understand what engineers do?
answers will vary
This project helped us understand that engineers work together, use different materials, and test their designs to solve problems, like making buildings resilient and safe. Engineers keep improving their designs based on testing to make sure everything works correctly, just like we did in this project.