Science Olympiad Boomilever Static Analysis
what is a boomilever
A boomilever is model cantilever that is designed to hold 15kg. Many science and engineering competitions, such as Science Olympiad, host boomilever competitions to help teach basic physic concepts to students.
In this post, we will discuss physics concepts used when creating a boomilever.
static analysis
What is Static analysis
The simplest method for finding the applied forces on any structure is called Static Analysis. If a structure is in equilibrium, then it will never move until a force disrupts that equilibrium. If the forces or moments imposed on a structure are not equal, the structure will be moved by those forces.
For boomilevers, the structures built and tested do not move unless they collapse under an excessive load. Static Analysis allows us to balance forces and moments. Static Analysis is not effected by materials and only shows applied forces Statics has one basic rule: all forces and moments must add up to zero.
Static analysis on standard Designs
If you look at the diagram of a sample boomilever below, you will see that the boomilever is in a traditional design, where the loading block sits at the bottom of the boomilever.
If you conduct Static Analysis on this boomilever, assuming that the boomilever will hold the entire 15kg, then you will find that the vertical member is not effected by the load but the compression member must withstand ~300N of force whilw the tension member must withstand ~334N of force.
*Note that the boomilever depicted below and that was used for the above calculations was 40cm in length and 20cm in height.
If you look at the diagram of a sample boomilever below, you will see that the boomilever is in a flipped design, where the loading block sits at the top of the boomilever.
If you conduct Static Analysis on this boomilever, assuming that the boomilever will hold the entire 15kg, then you will find that the vertical member is not effected by the load but the compression member must withstand ~334N of force whilw the tension member must withstand ~300N of force.
*Note that the boomilever depicted below and that was used for the above calculations was 40cm in length and 20cm in height.
Using this Static Analysis, you will conclude that it may be better to use a traditional boomilever design because less compression is applied to the compression members, and because it is usually harder to improve upon compression, it will improve your overall success.
Reducing moment forces
If you want to reduce the amount of force that each member of your boomilever must withstand, then you can implement a series of trusses or bracing to reduce the moment forces applied to your boomilever. The greater the amount of trusses, the greater dispersion of moment forces will be, reducing its effect on your boomilever.