Full metadata
Title
Trebuchet Mechanics: Modeling and Optimization of the Trebuchet
Description
Abstract A study was conducted on three models of the medieval siege engine, the trebuchet. The three models analyzed were the "see-saw", the hinged, and the floating arm trebuchet. Of these models, the mathematical model of each was determined. With his model, the most efficient model was determined to be the floating arm trebuchet, with a range efficiency of 0.8275 and an energy efficiency of 0.8526. The hinged trebuchet achieved efficiencies of 0.8065 for both range and energy efficiency and the "see-saw" with efficiencies of only 0.567 and 0.570, respectively. Then, the floating arm trebuchet's arm length ratio and sling length were then optimized. It was determined that the optimal arm length ratio was approximately 1:2, where the short arm is 1.7 feet and the long arm is 3.3 feet. The optimized sling length was 4.45 feet. Finally, the mathematical models were compared to full scale models. These ranges of the full scale models were surprisingly accurate with what was predicted. The hinged trebuchet model had the largest percentage error at 8.4%.
Date Created
2013-05
Contributors
- Estes, Stephen Louis (Co-author)
- Estes, Nathan (Co-author)
- Liao, Yabin (Thesis director)
- Trimble, Steven (Committee member)
- Bucholz, Leonard (Committee member)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Topical Subject
Extent
19 pages
Language
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Series
Academic Year 2012-2013
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.17122
Level of coding
minimal
Cataloging Standards
System Created
- 2017-10-30 02:50:57
System Modified
- 2021-08-11 04:09:57
- 2 years 8 months ago
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