Boomilever B/C

[Godspeed]

A little disappointed that they didn't use the contact depth line as a third parameter... it doesn't make sense to keep 150mm and 200mm for div B and C.

Yeah I agree, I feel like the contact depth should also be random because that would add more randomness to the event and would provide some interesting scores.

[Godspeed]

A little disappointed that they didn't use the contact depth line as a third parameter... it doesn't make sense to keep 150mm and 200mm for div B and C.

Yeah I agree, I feel like the contact depth should also be random because that would add more randomness to the event and would provide some interesting scores.

Not about "randomness", more about diversity and not just people repeating the same designs over and over.

[Godspeed]

Let's keep Computilever/Digital Structures talk out of here as it can be confusing for those looking for Boomilever help. I have a new topic planned for when the replacement event rules release.

[JonB]

I'm curious as to what @JonB thinks, but to answer sneep's question:
SkyCiv assumes ideal properties of balsa wood for both tension and compression, both the tensile and compressive strength properties are defined with the same "yield strength" (7mPa IIRC). In reality, the compressive strength is less than the tensile strength, due to buckling.

I'd say a good ~100 teams out of the 300+ attending BEARSO will not be able to actually test their boomilever. To competitors, especially middle schoolers, the software would be very foreign and hard to grasp.

There are a few things to look at here:

In the context of yield strength (which is what you are asking about-)- they would not be the same based on my understanding. I am sure an engineer would have the best insight here but I think your reasoning is 100% correct.

Also, software always assumes "ideal" properties, but maybe the word "consistent" would be better. When dealing with balsa, it is impossible to have a piece that is 100% consistent from end to end. It can be close, and searching for consistent wood/pieces is difficult, time consuming, and often overlooked but vital when building highly competitive structures.

[NotAPrez]

Just wondering what are we supposed to do the rules she gave me are unclear?

[sneepity]

Just wondering what are we supposed to do the rules she gave me are unclear?

Hey there, welcome! Could you explain what you mean?

[strwbrrycoco]

This is my first year in science olympiad, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or things I'd need to know! The Sky Civ (I think thats the program we're using) is pretty confusing, if anyone knows the basics of it could you explain it?

[builderguy135]

This is my first year in science olympiad, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or things I'd need to know! The Sky Civ (I think thats the program we're using) is pretty confusing, if anyone knows the basics of it could you explain it?

Hi strwbrrycoco,

You can find information about SkyCiv on the wiki here or on the BEARSO Tournament Guide here.

[Spook]

Hey everyone,

I am really new to Science Olympiad in general. Can someone help me on the basics of Digital Structures? (As in how to build a good boomilever)

[AstroClarinet]

Hey everyone,

I am really new to Science Olympiad in general. Can someone help me on the basics of Digital Structures? (As in how to build a good boomilever)

Welcome to Science Olympiad and the forums!
These pages should help you get started with designing a boomilever. My main advice is to try out lots of different things, test your boomilever often, and see what works best.
Digital Structures/SkyCiv: Digital Structures Wikipage, SkyCiv Wikipage, Digital Structures Forum Thread
Boomilever (for help with design): Boomilever Wikipage, Aia's Boomilever Guide, 2020 Boomilever Thread, 2019 Boomilever Thread