BOATY MCFLOATY FEDD 2016 Research Focused on the general - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

BOATY MCFLOATY

Parker Eaton, Tyler Bowes, Preston Cecil, Haleigh Tucker FEDD 2016

Research

• Focused on the general composition and utility of concrete structures
• Main objective geared toward methods of reinforcement and processes
• f mixing and curing cement
• Found that greater water-cement ratio leads to greater air entrainment
• Adding variety of chemical admixtures to cement increases durability

and water resistance

• Proper curing allows cement to retain sufficient hydration before

hardening (prevents shrinking/cracking)

• Providing reinforcements for the cement while drying is critical to

maintaining desired structure

Materials

• Glass microspheres
• Aluminum powder
• Quikrete
• Plastic cups and forks
• Plywood (for base)
• Trash bags
• Insulation Foam
• Hot glue
• Concrete bonder
• Gloves
• Plastic Wrap
• Paper Towels

Foam Mold

• Purchased 1x24 sheet of insulation foam
• Cut foam into shaped pieces and hot glued layers on top of each other
• Sanded mold by hand into final curved shaped
• Finished by joining two halves of mold with glue
• Also built wooden mixing box in craft center woodshop

Construction of Boaty McSinky

• Equation: 58% Quikrete, 20% glass

microspheres, 16%water, and 6% air

• 2 Liters total worth of mix
• Covered foam mold with trash bag prior to

application of cement

• Scooped Quikrete into plastic cups and

pulled out larger pieces of gravel

• Poured concrete powder into wooden

mixing box

• Added concrete binding liquid, aluminum

powder, and glass microspheres into wooden box—mixed with plastic forks

• Used gloves and forks to coat mold with

cement

• Repeated application three times,

attempting to smooth layers and prevent holes in structure

Results of First Iteration

• Layering cement in multiple layers caused

canoe to take on water

• Flimsy structure created cracks
• Canoe shattered after sinking and hitting a

rock

• Addition of aluminum powder may have

widened pores—increasing likelihood of developing holes

• Required team to go back to the drawing

board

• Cured with wet paper towels, which were

less capable of retaining moisture

• Outer structure was not smooth
• Failure to construct a foam mold using the

Garage Shopbot prolonged construction process

Second Iteration

• Modified plastic cups to sift out Quikrete

powder and remove gravel more efficiently

• Eliminated aluminum powder from list of

aggregates added

• Mixed all cement in one bath instead of

applying the four layers separately

• Cured twice daily for a period of one week

by sprinkling with water and covering with cling wrap to retain moisture for longer periods of time

• Sanded Interior and exterior to smoothen

texture

• Tested Boaty McFloaty II in Lake Raleigh on

Centennial Campus– it didn’t sink!

Conclusion

• Errors with “Boaty McSinky” required all members of the team to

consider the Engineering Design Cycle and resolve problems through critical thinking

• Learned the importance of preserving resources in case of

disaster—taught team members the importance of preparing for failure

• Exploration of resources and facilities aided the construction of the

canoe and prevented team from going over budget

• Each team member contributed their unique skills and talents to

promote the project overall