Document Type

Restricted Campus Only

Publication Date

3-31-2011

Abstract

Executive Summary Since August, this group has been working to design, create, and test a 4m x Sm platfo1m to support the water bladders used in emergency relief efforts, largely in Africa, by Medair International. The final design selected is modular and consists of twenty, lm x lm modules. The design consists of a grid type surface with detachable legs that are shared by adjacent modules.

Due to cost and time constraints, one module was constructed as a prototype to prove the feasibility of the design concept. Although designed for a safety factor of four, this prototype was tested to dete1mine that the load strength of the platfo1m is sufficient for at least a safety factor of two. A greater load was not tested due to logistical constraints in obtaining additional materials. The results from prototype testing were used to infom1 design improvements.

A final prototype test design, consisting of four modules, was then created and tested for horizontal stability on concrete as well as on the sand volleyball courts. The concrete testing provided useful results. As expected, the stability of the platform increased with the load applied to the platform, so the required tipping force will be significantly higher with a filled water bladder. It is expected that a complete platform with an empty water bladder will be able to resist a minimum of a 30lbr lateral force on hard level ground (concrete). It was also found that stability increases with the number of modules. Unfortunately, the horizontal stability testing on sand was unsuccessful, requiring that modifications be made to increase stability. To rectify this problem, bolts and washers were added to the pedestals to allow the surface to be secured in the vertical direction. The time and monetary constraints on the project resulted in only one modified module. Additional stability testing on this one module provided promising results and showed that even without a load on the prototype, a person can safely lean on the module. When stability testing was completed, the expected assembly time for the complete platform was extrapolated from testing on the modified module. Based on these results, the assembly of a full platform should take less than two and a half hours.

While the results of testing were promising, more testing is necessary and there are still modifications that should/could be made to improve the design before it is ready to be used in the field. In addition, modifications to the design to allow it to better meet the design constraints should be considered. While the platform can withstand the required load, the cost of the platform exceeds the monetary budget by $180 and the mass budget by 17kg.

Comments

Dr. Diana Glawe, Advisor

ENGR - 4382

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