DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

       For my first engineering project of the year, my team and I were tasked with creating a floating platform that could support at least 26 N and that constrained to a certain ratio of height change. Initially, we thought that we could use whatever materials we wanted to construct our platform, so when we learned we had to use only the materials given to us, we had to rethink our platform design. Our final design included two triangular prisms, three large rectangular prisms, and two small rectangular prisms. 

        On demonstration day, our platform supported the minimum load of weights and stayed stable under all loading conditions. In addition, the factor of safety for our float was approximately 3.3. Unfortunately, the additional weight of the measurement tools and the leakage of water into one of our floats caused our heights to vary slightly from our predicted results. This caused our platform not to meet the needed ratio of height change.

        To prevent our minor mistakes from happening on our next project, I believe we need to create a larger margin for error. For the ratio of height change, our initial calculations placed our float at 56% in a range of 40-60%. I also believe we need to attempt to factor in the possible reasons for error in our calcuations. For example, we should have weighed the rulers and attached L-brackets to anticipate what change that would have on our height calculations.

        Please see below for more detailed information about our project. The first module includes pictures of our final platform, the second module includes our final project report, and the last module includes the CAD drawings of our floating platform.

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
User-uploaded Content

A side view of the completed float

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

CAD for the completed assembly

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.