[Gymnarnemia]

well I have to make one for physics

rules:
height minimum of 35cm
weight 35g
width minimum of 5 cm
only toothpicks and woodglue can be used (no epoxy, superglue, etc.)

here is a design I just made
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4237/toweriu3.jpg

although acording to my crappy scale, 5 toothpicks = 1 gram so I'm about 2x overweight [surrender]

any ideas or know any sites with examples. I couldn't find much with google

I would like it to hold at least 200 lbs

[priceyicey]

You never stated the weight restriction. The only thing I can say is that while a dense structure will hold, your base will need a bit more width or the tower will be unstable

[Gymnarnemia]

You never stated the weight restriction. The only thing I can say is that while a dense structure will hold, your base will need a bit more width or the tower will be unstable

weight added, force is being applied directly downward so I'm hoping I can get by with a narrower base.

[KevinDonae]

We did a project similar to this in my high school physics class except we had to build a bridge out of quarter inch square wood. We didn't have a weight limit, but the winner was based on a ratio of how much weight it could hold versus how much the bridge weighed. Mine was something like 2200:1, I got second place. The winner used dowels in the joints of the bridge, but I couldn't figure out how to make them for the life of me, and we couldn't use toothpicks as dowels, we had to make them out of the wood provided.

[masterboyz]

We did a project similar to this in my high school physics class except we had to build a bridge out of quarter inch square wood. We didn't have a weight limit, but the winner was based on a ratio of how much weight it could hold versus how much the bridge weighed. Mine was something like 2200:1, I got second place. The winner used dowels in the joints of the bridge, but I couldn't figure out how to make them for the life of me, and we couldn't use toothpicks as dowels, we had to make them out of the wood provided.

We did something like that, except it was with toothpicks and elmer's glue. Same weight held to weight of bridge ratio deal.

[Geetiill]

If your objective is to hold up weight and it's feasible in terms of your building materials and design parameters, you should employ an arch.

[SweetCaroline]

We had to do something like this in school too, except we had to make a picture of Santa using only Elmers, construction paper, plastic scissors, and cotton balls. Mine turned out pretty solid, in fact my mum still has it in a box somewhere...

[Greactbet]

We had to do something like this in school too, except we had to make a picture of Santa using only Elmers, construction paper, plastic scissors, and cotton balls. Mine turned out pretty solid, in fact my mum still has it in a box somewhere...

classic [rofl]