The Pasta Structure
Name________________________________________
The Problem:
Design and build a load-bearing tower using only
spaghetti and glue as building materials.
Criteria:
 The structure will be tested on September 29th.
 You may use some or all of the materials in your final
design: 1 lb (454g) of Thin Spaghetti (100% Selected
Durum Wheat Semolina), 5 hot glue sticks to join
pieces together; you may not use the cardboard box in
the construction;
 The final device must be free standing;
 The final device must be able to support at least one
of several objects, listed below;
 The mass of your team’s entry into this competition
must be able to be determined just before its
performance is evaluated, either by hanging from a
spring scale or sitting on an electronic balance;
 The structure must be relatively stationary during the
measuring procedure after the load has been added,
and not rapidly “slumping”.
 At the beginning of the evaluation period, the
structure must start without any objects on it.
 You may use up to 3 minutes to load objects onto
your structure. At the end of three minutes, the total
number of the different objects must be determined,
the height to the lowest object will be measured and
no more objects may by added.
 If the structure collapses during the loading process
before the 3 minute period is over, the total number of
each of the objects that the tower was able to support
will be determined or estimated, along with the
minimum height to the lowest object before structural
failure.
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Scoring Function:
Score 
log(m1) ( m 2 w5 n 10b )h1.25

 pf
m = # marbles
w = # washers
n = # nuts
b = # blocks
h = distance (in cm) measured from base to lowest point
on lowest object
 = mass (in grams) of structure before anything is
supported
pf = a “pretty factor”, a totally subjective evaluation
which may be up to 25% of the rest of your score, as
judged by the teachers based on the aesthetic quality
and elegance of your design before the load was
added
Analysis of the Scoring Function:
Before you begin building your solution to any problem
in this class, you and your partner should take the time to
analyze the scoring function thoroughly. You need to be
able to confidently answer certain questions, such as
“what is the most important variable”, and “where should
we direct our efforts”. Also, you should be able to justify
your decisions in writing and through graphs in the
“Design Portfolio”.
1. What is the possible range of each of the variables in
the scoring function? (Count or estimate.)
Variable m
w
n
b
h
pf

1
Smallest
10
Largest
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2. Which variables do you want to maximize and which
would you want to minimize in order to get the biggest
score? Mark an X in the appropriate box for each
variable.
Variable
m
w
n
b
h
pf

maximize
minimize
3. It is unlikely and unrealistic to expect to be able to
maximize every variable that you want to. For
example, if you were only given a small amount of
spaghetti, perhaps you would only be able to make a
very weak structure, and would not be able to place
any of the blocks on it, even though over 100 blocks
are available. Until you start finding out what is
available, you can only roughly estimate the amounts
that your tower may be able to hold, or its mass or
height.
For now, though, choose a set of average, realisticseeming values for the variables:
Variable m
w
n
b
h
pf

Average?
4. Using a calculator, determine your score based on
your average values:
a. log(m+1) =
b. m  2 w  5 n  10b =
c. h1.25=
d.

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e. pf X .25 =
f.
log(m1) ( m 2 w5 n 10b )h1.25

g. (pf X .25) X

log(m1) ( m 2 w5 n 10b )h1.25


h. Add the last two together to get your “average”
score:
i. Now, repeat the process several times for each
variable, but double or cut in half one of the
variables at a time. Keep track of what happens to
the score?
j. Which variables are the most important to
maximize? Which are least important to worry
about?
5. Based on your analysis of the scoring function, what
will be the strategy for your team in attempting to get
the best score in the class?
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Science, Math, and Technology Concepts:
When researching the following topics for your team’s
portfolio, be sure to write down the sources of
information so that you can cite them. You should share
the responsibility on these, and agree to divide them up
between you and your partner.
1. Triangles: Why is the triangle the best geometric
shape to use in architecture? Find actual uses of the
triangle to illustrate your answer.
2. Gustave Eiffel: Who was he? Why did he build the
Eiffel Tower? What are its dimensions? What did it
take to build it? What else did Gustave build?
3. Architecture as a Career: How does one become an
architect? What is the average starting salary? What
does one need to study? What schools are good ones
to contact?
4. The Materials Used in this Project: What is the
history of pasta? How is it made? How important is
the pasta industry? What is the story of “hot glue”?
Anything interesting to report about it?
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Calendar and Log:
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
12
13
14
15
16
19
20
21
22
23
Portfolio
26
28
27
Portfolio
29
Testing
30
(Competition)
9/13
9/15
9/19
9/21
9/23
9/27
9/29
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Parts of The Portfolio
You and your partner should decide who is mainly
responsible for the various sections to be included in your
team’s design portfolio. On the due date, make sure all
the sections are in the proper order, and that it has a
uniform, “professional” look.
Title Page: (one page, and always a separate page) (5
points)
Equipment and Materials Used and Needed: (one
page) (10)
SMT Concepts: (length varies depending on the
questions posed) (20)
Analysis of the Scoring Function (one page) (15)
Working Diagrams, with written descriptions: (one
page) (15)
Log/Testing Data: (one page)
(15)
Evaluation/Redesign: (one page)
Debriefing: (one page)
(10)
(5)
The final 5 points will be based upon organization,
neatness, grammar, and spelling.
Late penalties: one letter grade (10 points) per day late –
no exceptions, no excuses.
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