Trebuchet dimensions

[umer]

Hi, I am new to SO, the rules for Storm the Castle event say that "the trebuchet must have a vertical dimension of no more than 70 cm.
The length and width of the device may not exceed 1.0 m", other than that there is no restriction for the size of the beam, the frame, base etc. Since I am new I am confused, is there a video link or other resource that I can use as a base to construct the trebuchet. Thanks

[knightmoves]

Hi, I am new to SO, the rules for Storm the Castle event say that "the trebuchet must have a vertical dimension of no more than 70 cm.
The length and width of the device may not exceed 1.0 m", other than that there is no restriction for the size of the beam, the frame, base etc. Since I am new I am confused, is there a video link or other resource that I can use as a base to construct the trebuchet. Thanks

As a note, the rules do not contain the word trebuchet anywhere. You may build a trebuchet, but you are not required to build a trebuchet - other forms of gravity-powered catapult are allowed.

Yes, the rules mean exactly what they say. Imagine a cardboard box which is 1.0m in length, 1.0m in width, and 70cm in height. When your device is sitting on the floor ready to launch your ball, you need to be able to walk up to it and put that cardboard box over it, and have the edges of the box touch the ground. Note also that the event-supervisor provided counterweight may be as large as a 15.0cm cube, and will have an eyebolt with a minimum inside diameter of half an inch, so that's what you have to attach your device to and allow space for in your design.

The other important rule on size is 5d - when your shot has completed, all the bits of your device must be inside the launch area, which is a 1.5m square taped on the floor. So if you do build a trebuchet, make sure the sling doesn't extend out of this area after your launch, or you'll incur a penalty.

If you search for "science olympiad storm the castle" on youtube, you'll see a number of examples of devices people have built in previous years, that might give you some ideas.

[Northridge]

We hope to have some videos up next week or so to help folks.

[umer]

Hi, I am new to SO, the rules for Storm the Castle event say that "the trebuchet must have a vertical dimension of no more than 70 cm.
The length and width of the device may not exceed 1.0 m", other than that there is no restriction for the size of the beam, the frame, base etc. Since I am new I am confused, is there a video link or other resource that I can use as a base to construct the trebuchet. Thanks

As a note, the rules do not contain the word trebuchet anywhere. You may build a trebuchet, but you are not required to build a trebuchet - other forms of gravity-powered catapult are allowed.

Yes, the rules mean exactly what they say. Imagine a cardboard box which is 1.0m in length, 1.0m in width, and 70cm in height. When your device is sitting on the floor ready to launch your ball, you need to be able to walk up to it and put that cardboard box over it, and have the edges of the box touch the ground. Note also that the event-supervisor provided counterweight may be as large as a 15.0cm cube, and will have an eyebolt with a minimum inside diameter of half an inch, so that's what you have to attach your device to and allow space for in your design.

The other important rule on size is 5d - when your shot has completed, all the bits of your device must be inside the launch area, which is a 1.5m square taped on the floor. So if you do build a trebuchet, make sure the sling doesn't extend out of this area after your launch, or you'll incur a penalty.

If you search for "science olympiad storm the castle" on youtube, you'll see a number of examples of devices people have built in previous years, that might give you some ideas.

Thank you so much this forum is very helpful.