Supporting the testing apparatus

[Adityasht]

Hi,

I just wanted to know if the tower had to be able to support the testing apparatus (the bucket, chain, and 5x5 cm square on top) to be able to qualify for the rest of the points (the 29 cm diameter bonus)

Thanks,
AHS B Team

[Unome]

Typically, if the tower cannot support the loading block, chain, and bucket, it is ranked in tier 4 (depends on what you mean by "support") - in which case it would not receive the bonus since it was not able to be tested (as can be seen by the fact that tier 4 towers are scored according to mass). If the tower supports those components (what constitutes "support" is generally left to the discretion of the event supervisor - i.e. is a tenth of a second "support"?) then it should receive the bonus if it spans the bonus circle throughout testing.

[Raleway]

Hi,

I just wanted to know if the tower had to be able to support the testing apparatus (the bucket, chain, and 5x5 cm square on top) to be able to qualify for the rest of the points (the 29 cm diameter bonus)

Thanks,
AHS B Team

If the tower is legal and fits all parameters required to be in tier one, it will receive a score of 0. If not all of the testing apparatus can be supported, no score can be given, thus a score of 0 will be assessed. Once it is confirmed that the structure can hold the testing apparatus by itself, then the testing apparatus will be considered as weight on the tower and counted in the efficiency score, in which the bonus will be applied if applicable. Hope that answers your question!

[Unome]

Hi,

I just wanted to know if the tower had to be able to support the testing apparatus (the bucket, chain, and 5x5 cm square on top) to be able to qualify for the rest of the points (the 29 cm diameter bonus)

Thanks,
AHS B Team

If the tower is legal and fits all parameters required to be in tier one, it will receive a score of 0. If not all of the testing apparatus can be supported, no score can be given, thus a score of 0 will be assessed. Once it is confirmed that the structure can hold the testing apparatus by itself, then the testing apparatus will be considered as weight on the tower and counted in the efficiency score, in which the bonus will be applied if applicable. Hope that answers your question!

This seems better than my answer. In short:
- A tower on which the loading block cannot be placed (e.g. the top is very wide or something) would be in tier 4 and ranked by mass.
- A tower that otherwise meets standards for tier 1 (or tier 2/3) but is unable to support the testing apparatus due to failure would have a score of zero.
- A tower similar to the previous one except it supports the testing apparatus for a time, but the tower fails before loading, would be scored according to the mass of the testing apparatus.

[dholdgreve]

Rule 6b states that the lowest load scored is the mass of the loading block assembly.. Rule 5b defines the loading block assembly as the loading block, the eye bolt, the s hook and the chain. The bucket is addressed under 5c, so it is not a part of the loading block assembly... Having run this competition in the past, I'd have to say that as long as the tower carried at least the loading block assembly, without the bucket, it has a load that can be calculated and is in tier 1, even if it breaks when the bucket is hung. If no part of the tower touched inside the bonus circle, it would also qualify for the bonus. Obviously, the mass of the bucket would not count since it was not supported. In theory, you may have a 2.5 gram tower that carried the loading block assembly that weighed 250 grams but not the bucket and qualified for the bonus. The score would be 5,250 / 2.5 = 2100 points. A competitive score in an all or nothing sort of way.

[Adityasht]

Thank you for all the quick and amazing replies, they have helped a lot. I just have one follow up question. Is there a set weight for the block, chain and bucket, or can the weight be random and just depends upon what the competition has?

[Unome]

Thank you for all the quick and amazing replies, they have helped a lot. I just have one follow up question. Is there a set weight for the block, chain and bucket, or can the weight be random and just depends upon what the competition has?

It can vary. Typically the block is made of wood, but it can be 3D printed or made of milled metal or something like that. The bucket is probably the biggest variable, since the others all have set dimensions and sizes.

[kinghong1970]

chain can also be quite the variable... it is the densest component and if some ES uses thicker or wider link chain, it can be tricky if your opening is too small or if the tower is too fragile.

[dholdgreve]

chain can also be quite the variable... it is the densest component and if some ES uses thicker or wider link chain, it can be tricky if your opening is too small or if the tower is too fragile.

ABSOLUTELY! I've seen chain like is used on a swingset (which works just fine BTW) and I've seen literally LOG-CHAINS used... Heavy enough to pick up the car that transported the tower to the competition!

[Random Human]

Rule 6b states that the lowest load scored is the mass of the loading block assembly.. Rule 5b defines the loading block assembly as the loading block, the eye bolt, the s hook and the chain. The bucket is addressed under 5c, so it is not a part of the loading block assembly... Having run this competition in the past, I'd have to say that as long as the tower carried at least the loading block assembly, without the bucket, it has a load that can be calculated and is in tier 1, even if it breaks when the bucket is hung. If no part of the tower touched inside the bonus circle, it would also qualify for the bonus. Obviously, the mass of the bucket would not count since it was not supported. In theory, you may have a 2.5 gram tower that carried the loading block assembly that weighed 250 grams but not the bucket and qualified for the bonus. The score would be 5,250 / 2.5 = 2100 points. A competitive score in an all or nothing sort of way.

Actually, I believe in the qualifications section (cant remember the number off the top of my head) it states that the tower only needs to hold the block. Saying the lowest load scored is the mass of the loading block assembly simply means that if u cant hold ANYTHING, u still get the weight of the loading block assembly counted in your score. I'm pretty sure this is what it means. I tried this "light tower" Approach, it doesnt work. The weight of the loading block is typically about .5kg. and the weight of the chain should be another .2 or so kg. The bucket is plastic as a pose to metal.