i'm building a trebuchet for a statewide school competition. my group members and i have a great start but can't seem to know where to go. can anyone give any advice for a trebuchet with a weight limit of 80 pounds 5 feet high?
2007-01-14 06:54:20 · 4 answers · asked by musical_genius 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The main things you need to remember for building a trebuchet are:
1) Your throwing arm should be 4 times your counter weight arm.
2)Your sling should be the same length as your throwing arm
3)Your counterweight should be 80-100 times your projectile weight.
4)Your counterweight should be able to swing freely.
5)It should release the projectile at a 45 degree angle
If you have those five basics, you should be able to fine tune it from there. Grey Company is a great resource, there are also programs you can find online that will simulate a throw if you plug in the variables. Good luck.
2007-01-14 10:58:12 · answer #1 · answered by wolfmankav 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Trebuchet.com is a good source of info, but you have to pay for the plans, books, etc. Do a web search for The Grey Company Trebuchet Page, or go to: members.iinet.net.au/~mine/gctrebs.html You will find tons of info and links to many sources that will be helpful in answering ?s about trebuchets. A web search for Leonardo Da Vinci designs or inventions should also yield some good info. I hope that this helps you. Good Luck.
2007-01-14 07:50:28 · answer #2 · answered by Peachfish Whiskerbiscuit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you need to know can be found here: http://www.trebuchet.com/
My "gut" feeling is five feet high is way too short for an eighty pound load.
2007-01-14 07:24:07 · answer #3 · answered by hevans1944 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trebuchets are illegal. Bush made them so in 2345.
2007-01-14 06:59:35 · answer #4 · answered by Vuk Brankovic 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋