The Perfect Earthquake Building
Earthquakes can cause enormous damage in areas where they strike. For this reason, much attention is paid to how buildings are built
in areas where earthquakes are likely to occur. In this activity, you will try to build an “earthquake-proof” structure.
Materials: 1 sheet of paper
1 bag of various sticks
liquid glue
The Rules:
1. The paper can only be placed on the bottom in order to provide a foundation for the building.
2. You can only use the materials provided in the list above.
3. You can use any number of sticks, but no more than what is provided.
4. Your building must have a “space” in it. The room does not have to have solid walls, or a roof, must be at least 4 cm in each
direction.
5. You can break or cut the sticks if you want to.
6. During the test, your building is considered destroyed if 2 or more sticks fall off of it.
7. Each lab group can only enter 1 building for the test.
8. Your building must be at least 6 cm tall, 6 cm wide and 6 cm long at some point.
9. Glue is only to be used to fasten sticks together. You cannot pour glue over the whole building. Total mass of structure cannot
exceed 18 grams.
The Test:
1. Rather than being shaken, the buildings will be dropped.
2. Round 1 = dropped from: Shoulder height
Shoulder height on chair
Shoulder height on table/desk/counter
Above head on table/desk/counter
If the buildings do not break after being dropped, then a wood block will be dropped on them (and must strike the building).
3. Round 2 = wood block dropped on building from: Knee height sitting on chair
Shoulder height sitting on chair
Shoulder height standing
Shoulder height standing on chair
If the buildings do not break after the wood block is dropped on them, then a book will be dropped on them (and must strike
the building).
4. Round 3 = book dropped on building from: Knee height sitting on chair
Shoulder height sitting on chair
Shoulder height standing
Shoulder height standing on chair
5. Of course, the winner is the lab group whose building is the last destroyed (or least destroyed).
The Points:
20 points for participating/creating a structure that meets all requirements
10 points if structure does not meet requirements
First place in class: 8 extra credit points
Second place in class: 6 extra credit points
Third place in class: 4 extra credit points
Fourth place in class: 2 extra credit points
In the case of ties, all lab groups tied will be given the points for that place finish.
Remember:
You are trying to build a structure that can withstand the types of forces that will be acting on it during the testing phase.