Big Bertha BucketBig Bertha Bucket

Engineering Fundamentals Final Project

Project; Big Bertha

Project Description

• Design and build a Rube-Goldberg device that will perform a simple task of your choosing. The device should perform this task in three or more distinct steps. Each step should demonstrate an energy conversion process which can be analyzed.

Group Members

• Will Bunge

• Torry Milam

• Malcolm Rawls

Big Bertha Bucket

Overview of Project Big Bertha Bucket

Purpose of Device

To easily load a bucket of sand/gravel at a rate which has been previously calculated for the

ease loading a measured amount.

Drafting of Big Bertha

Demonstration

Summary of Energy Conversions

Energy Conversion #1

Weight of Hot wheels Porsche = .33354 N = W

Angle of Decline = 21 degrees = X

F of car = W/(sin X)

F = .931 N

Energy Conversion #2

Force of Porsche = .931 N

Tension of String = .931 N

Energy Conversion #3

Mouse trap

F=kx F= 5 N x= 9 cm

k= .555N/cm

Energy Conversion #4

F of Mousetrap = 5 N

Force to open shutter = 5 N

Flow Rate of Sand

V=h(pi)r^6

h= 34 cm

r= 3.81 cm

V= 1550 cm^3

t= 5 seconds

Therefore rate = 310 cm^3/ second

Conclusion

Now that we know the rate of flow of sand, we may place the bucket under the valve

for a specific amount of time and know the approximate volume of sand/gravel in the

bucket.