The Real Construction: Geodesic Dome.
We are the Kedah Boy-Boy. Our floating dome model is named the EVAC.Actually,EVAC stand for evacuation for all refugees.Below this is our working progress, will be updated weekly.
We divided our progress into seven phases.
[Phase] [Condition]
1. ) Design Model. Done ---(Week 1)
2. ) Decide Model. Done ---(Week 1+2) Choose Model 1
3. ) Gather Materials. Done ---(Week1+2+3)
4. ) Build a Prototype. Done ---(Week 3+4)
5. ) Testing Prototype. Dissapointed result---(3/9/2010)
5.1) Second Prototype Test Cancel:"Warden not allowed"-(20/9/2012)
6. ) Practice build in 30 Minutes. Done
7. ) EVAC is ready to be launched. Ready!!!
Get an idea,design an concept of dome and consider other factor must put in top priority instead of gather all that materials.So,there are require us consider a lot of thing for making this dome.First,base of dome must not too big or it cannot be carried by my teamate.Secondly is way to make a base with bamboo?Connect it with glue?? screw??connecter??Actually I also not sure way to build it.Thirdly gonna most important that is dome must float when 3 people go up.Component to make dome float must have air inside that component but where I get such component??There still got a lot of problem....BLA...BLA...BLA...BLA...It just look like endless.
Week 1
We had our discussion after studio today at Subaidah Cafe. Our group name is Kedah Boy-Boy, haha, because three of us are from Kedah state. (Actually Weng Jen wanted the name to be The Scouts and the Nobita but rest of 2 members feel that name make our hairs stood up = ='')
Thanks to Foong, the photographer of our meeting.
Basically we discussed about the possible structures of our base for the dome. We came out with three different ideas, both with pros and cons. We actually had different points of view. Weng Jen focused on the time-wise factor, Wei Yong thought that stability is the priority while Chin Gee thought of convenience.
Our first design concept. A simple tie-up raft base. It's the easiest way, but we have to tie the bamboo very very tightly to prevent it from slipping out.The base of our dome consists of 6 bamboos—3 placed horizontally(1 top, 1 middle, 1 back) and the other 3 placed vertically(1 left, 1 middle, 1 right).The bamboos will then be tied up by using ropes.After that,a piece of plywood or polystrene will be placed and tied on top of the bamboos as the ground for the dome so that we can sit or stand on it.In order to improve or to make the dome float better,tyres or floats are tied to the side of the bamboo base.
The second one. This time we make the horizontal bamboos tight to each other. Then we make mortise on each of them and connect with the lower vertical bamboos. We tie it up at the end. This supposed to be the conventional raft. Guaranteed floating but need a lot of bamboo.Lot of bamboo become a load when we wanna carry to other place.
Design 3. This is Weng Jen's idea. We will punch holes at both ends of the bamboo stems. Then we put another bamboo connecting all the holes, and put a stopper to stabilise the opening. This method is quite new for the two Scouts, and it's not guaranteed safe and float-able. The scouts were afraid that there may be leakage in the holes and the dome may sink. So Weng Jen thought of putting tyre rubbers to fill up the holes.
Besides the base design, we will be adding either big tyres or component contain air inside for raft to float. We are not so sure about the availability of the materials, so Weng Jen going to ask his father whether he has these unwanted materials in his workshop.
Week 2
Floating Material decided :Big Plastic Containers.
Source: Weng Jen will get these materials from his father's workshop.
Base Material decided: Thick Alor Star Bamboo.
Dome Structure Main Material decided: Dry Thin Bamboos.
Dry bamboos are perfect for setting up our dome because of its weight.There are 25 struts needed for a 1V dome but 25 struts weights below 4 kilogram. It is very easy to carry around and fullfill the conditions that we wanted.
We buy 9 long dry thing bamboo and cut into 25 struts.
Connectors undecided.
We went to town to search for new light bamboos. The bamboos are so thin and so light. We bought after a short discussion. Then, we cut the bamboos into wanted size on the spot to ease our transportation back to campus. The bamboos are easy to cut so we used not much time to complete the cutting.
The outcomes and results of this week is satisfying as we were almost done with the materials.
Next phase, we will be looking after our connectors and building our prototype.
As Chin Gee said, things are getting more and more interesting. We managed to get to to our group members well after the outing and materials searching.
Week 3
Problem that we will face when cut down bamboo from bamboo site despite of tiring progress.
1)Fresh bamboo must be dry under hot sun if not fresh bamboo will grow fungus.
2)Raining is occur recently make us have a hard time to dry up bamboo.
3)Moving fresh bamboo from hostel to open area for drying also consume a lot of time.
So,we decide to buy bamboo instead of cutting down at bamboo site.In case bamboo is not enough for dome,we have to go bamboo site.
Dry bamboo that we bought.
Wei Yong cut the bamboos into required size.
Predict base size and size of plywood put on top.
We discussed about the ways to connect the bamboo sticks. We suggested on using ropes, glues and rubber. Finally we came out with another idea. We will try to make a 90' mortise at both end of the sticks, then we will join them together using glue made of flour. It's an early idea by the way.
We also discussed the problem of time factor when we have to assembly the dome. We decided to make 5 triangles as the base and a square-based pyramid as the upper part to be brought to the site later for assembly.
Next job: Obtain knife, plywood, floating container, ropes.
Next meeting: 26/08/2010 Afternoon: Buy materials.
Evening: Build prototype.
28/08/2010 Whole day: Continue prototype building, expect to complete all the basic ties and solutions for joints.
Week 4
26/08/2010
We continued our building jobs. We moved our bamboos from Restu to Indah Kembara, with the reason to ease our works when we have to move it to HBP later. We started early in the morning.
We tried to make our base first. We used ropes to tie up the bamboo.But ropes will loose as time going on make us need daily maintenance(make rope taut back).This rise maintenance problem when break of Hari Raya.We decided find alternative way.
We also identified the way we are going to arrange the bamboo sticks. Because of lack of tying materials for we ended the job early too.Actually,we waste a lot of time because improper of time managing.
The next day. 27/08/2010
We went for materials searching!We went to a hardware shop around Jalan Sungai Dua.
We went there to buy double-headed screws and ties to join our bamboos. We ended up scolded by the boss because we're not practicing the group work well. He said we won't be able to finish our project if we didn't plan earlier. Yeah we did get some advice.
This is what we are going to use to join our bamboos together.
Again, to make our base, we need plywood. We went to Sungai Nibong Kayu to find it. We found, but it's not cheap, so we didn't buy it at first. We discussed and decided to buy it another time. We went to search for inner tube to tie up our base.
We try inner tube and its result was very sastified in joining bamboos because of its grip.Problem of daily maintenance is solve!!!!!^.^V
28/08/2010
We found this small home-shop.The uncle had a lot of the unused inner tube! We asked for all and we're very fortunate for everything free of charge.
Should be enough!
We tied all of them. Looked nice.
The end product. Well gripped. We're very happy of it.
Chin Gee played around with the Bingo's dome.
Next job: Collect plastic containers, buy plywood, grinding connectors for dome.
Next meeting: 29/08/2010 Buy plywood. Try out.
30/08/2010 Go to HBP workshop fo grindings.
01/09/2010 Dome assembly, prototype making.
Week 5
We started on dome building! We used our previous method and it worked!
Assembling.
Final touch up.
Yoga exercise. Haha.
This is our dome! We used about an hour to assemble it in the first time. It turned out in great shape and quite stable. However it needs more modification to enhance the strength.
To ease our job, we decided to carry the dome and the base to HBP first, so that we can actually save up our works during the submission time. We started our trip from Indah Kembara and passed through Desasiswa Aman Damai. The load seemed easy and light. :D
After that, the dome snapped because we didn't tie it tight. We stopped by Fajar Harapan to fix it.
Then we continued to HBP. Photographs were not taken because the trip started to be tiring and I can't hold the camera at the same time I was busy carrying and adjusting the dome position to avoid further devastation.
Now, the dome is located in the Old Swimming Pool already. We will still follow the road path during submission time, no worries. We tested the dome and the prototype report had been posted.
Next job: Try our very best to search for big lorry tyres. Amount needed: Four.
Next meeting: 19 September 2010: Final modification and final testing. Must be successful!
22 September 2010: Submission. Time to get wet!!
Week 5
Final modification have done with installing 8 inner tube.Unfortunately,swimming pool's warden does not let us testing our own base due to din't take administration letter.
That end of story and waiting for 22 September 2010 testing!
