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"Florida
Institute of Technology" Presentation:
The team explained how ASTM standards were used to establish critical parameters. They explained that they took a radically different approach from previous FIT teams; they used a new three dimensional fabrication technique to create a flawless mold and utilized a new curing scenario. The team concluded by saying, "If it isn’t concrete, it isn’t worth it!". During the question and answer session, the judges asked how close the team came to achieving their desired thickness and what compressive strength was required. Other questions followed: "Why was your safety factor so high?" "How was the bond strength between the concrete and reinforcement quantified?" "Were any changes made as a result of microscopic examination?" "How was pre-stressing accomplished and to what extent was this done?" The team was asked how the buoyant force was modeled and how this was integrated into the analysis software. "What was the most innovative portion of the canoe design?" "Was any consideration given to reducing the water to cement ration below 0.8?" Product:
Name: Terminal Velocity Vital Stats: FIT is located in Melbourne, Florida. They have proudly represented the Southeast Region five times at the national level. They are the only second place qualifier to have ever won the competition (1997) and served as the host of the National Concrete Canoe Competition in 1999. The team has finished three times in the top five and four times in the top ten. Canoe/Materials/Facts: The mold used to produce Terminal Velocity was fabricated by using a three-dimensional CNC milling machine and the boat incorporated numerous aesthetic features. The canoe was cured in a temperature and moisture controlled tent to increase its overall strength. |
Three
team members dressed in casual attire, two as press members and one as a canoe
racer gave the oral presentation.