Boomilever

Resources & Links

 * [|J-Bolt Specifications] (PDF)
 * [|J-Bolt Installation] (PDF)
 * [|Stabilization Stick Info] (PDF)
 * [|Event Scoresheet/Spreadsheet] 2013 (Excel) - 12/10/12
 * Team Scoresheet/Checklist 2013 (PDF) - 2/8/13
 * SciOly.org Student Center Wiki

SciOly.org LINK

**Event Resources:**

[|2012 Coaches Institute presentation] (2013 rules)

[|Model Bridge Design] - great tips on the craftsmanship of building a balsa wood structure

[|West Point Bridge Design] - a great FREE program to download, design and virtually test different trusses and systems.

[|Association for Bridge Construction and Design] - a remarkable collection of resources and links, applies to boomilevers, too.

[|2007 State Tournament Boomilever Results]


 * Event Description:**This is a building event. Teams will design and build ahead of time a boomilever constructed from wood and glue capable of bearing a load. The official rules clearly define the minimum/maximum dimensions that the boom must have. At the competition teams will mount their boomilever on the testing wall, and load sand into a bucket suspended and supported by the opposite end of the boomilever. The boom will be loaded until either it breaks or 15 kg is held, whichever occurs first.
 * Materials:** Teams MUST bring safety spectacles with side shields and the boomilever.

Event Leaders will provide all measuring and testing apparatus **Efficiency = (Load supported in grams/Mass of Boomilever in grams)**
 * Scoring:** High score wins. Scoring for this event is based on efficiency. The following formula will be used:

Boomilevers that fail to meet one or more of the competition requirements will be ranked in a 2nd tier beneath those that do meet requirements. Boomilevers that fail to meet one or more construction requirements will be ranked in a 3rd tier beneath those that do meet requirements or only have competition violations. Boomilevers that cannot be tested at all will be ranked in a 4th tier below those that can be tested. Ties will be broken first by Greatest Clearance from Contact Depth Line; then by Lowest Boomilever Mass.
 * Common Mistakes:**


 * A boomilever is only as strong as it's mounting bracket. Make sure your mounting bracket does not pull away from the wall or strip off of the bolts.
 * Recommendations:**
 * While the initial jolt of sand entering the bucket may slightly shock your boomilever, the faster you load the sand after that the better, since your boomilever will be under stress for a shorter length of time. Letting sand trickle in slowly only increases the amount of time your boom spends under stress and strain, giving weak spots a greater chance to break.

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