1. Launch Structure
Your task was to build the lightest weight thrust structure that will withstand the force of launch to orbit at least three times.
Launch to orbit is defined as propelling a 1-liter bottle of water approximately 1 meter into the air.

2. Launch Structure During static loading tests you looked for:
Structural members buckling
Unstable glue joints
Structure unsteady when moved side to side

3. Launch Structure Path of force?
Balanced load = an evenly distributed support will evenly divide the force of the launch
What type of force is acting on the structure?
Before launch
During launch
What is the amount of force exerted on the structure during launch? What weight does the structure have to support?

4. Launch Structure
When the rocket presses down on the launch structure, the structure transfers this force to the lever supporting it.
The structure also pushes down on the lever.
What is the total compressive force on the structure at rest?
When a force is exerted down on an object that is resting on a surface, the compressive force is the size of the downward force.

5. Launch Structure Calculating g-force on the structure:
Find the weight of the bottle ( kg). This is the force in the equation.
m = the mass of your structure.
a = F/m
Then divide the acceleration the structure experiences by 9.81 to find the g’s.
Less mass in structure means greater acceleration.

6. Launch Structure Compression
When the structural member is being pushed inwards along itself from both ends.
Can be calculated as the force divided by the area perpendicular to the force
σ = F/Ao

7. Launch Structure Tension
When the member is being pulled outwards along itself. A pulling force that is exerted on each end of the member.
Can be calculated by the change in length divided by the original length
ε = δ/Lo

8. Launch Structure

9. Launch Structure
To identify tension and compression members in your structure:
If the member is vertical and the live load is vertically placed, that member is in compression.
The member adjacent and joined to the compression member is under tension (the sum of forces at the joints must equal zero).
Non-vertical members beyond the compression zone must be in tension or compression, alternately distributed.