Design Lead
CurrentSeismic Design involves designing and constructing a 5-foot tall tower entirely out of balsa wood, which will be tested through two earthquake simulations to assess its structural integrity and performance. The objective is to design a tower that not only withstands seismic activity but also demonstrates an efficient use of materials and architectural ingenuity. As part of this role of Design Lead, my teammates and I must thoroughly understand the competition's rules and design specifications to qualify for the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) competition. After ensuring the specifications are clear, I use AutoCAD to design the tower's structural components, including beams, bracings, and columns. I focus on creating precise measurements and strategically placing bracings to maximize the tower’s resilience against both seismic and dead loads. This careful planning is crucial to ensuring the structure’s success in the high-stakes competition against 40+ teams from across the nation and internationally.