Structural Engineering Competition for the Youth
Paper Tower Challenge 2017
“起紙”咁簡單！
Co-organized by
Joint Structural Division of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Academy for Bright Future Young Engineers, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Supported by
The University of Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
City University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Date:
2 June 2017 (Registration deadline)
10 June 2017 (Briefing & Seminar): 10:00am – 11:30am
3 July 2017 (Briefing & Seminar): 2:00pm – 4:30pm (LT-F)
8 July 2017 (Competition): 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
New Schedule
Venue: Art Hall or Engineering Commons (To be confirmed)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Organizing Committee
Ir K T LEUNG
Ir Edward S C CHAN
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Chairman)
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Deputy Chairman)
Ir K L TSE
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Hon. Secretary)
Ir C K CHAN
Ir Prof H K LO
Prof Ben Y B CHAN
Ir Prof Jay J S KUANG
Ir Fai YEUNG
Ir Prof Ben YOUNG
Ir Prof Paul PANG
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Hon. Treasurer)
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The University of Hong Kong
The Institution of Structural Engineers
Target participants
Secondary school students (Form 3 or above). Each team consists of 4 students.
Description of the competition
The model competition includes design, fabrication and testing of a paper tower. The model shall be
assembled / fabricated with recycle paper and adhesive tape as per provided by the organizer.
The regulations
1. The design of the tower must be innovative and aesthetic. It should be structurally stable and
effective.
2. The tower must be made by the materials provided by the organizer.
3. Loading test will be carried out by adding tennis balls (about 56g per ball) progressively into an A4
size tray, with an approximate dimension of 230×320×75 mm (to be provided by the organizer), to
be placed on top of the tower. The participants shall design the platform to support the box and shall
perform the loading test.
4. The height of tower (excluding the box) is between 1.5 m and 1.7 m. It is measured from the top of
tower to the base of the tower. Towers outside this height range will be disqualified.
5. Each team shall fix the supports of the tower structure on the hard cardboard at the base using the
hot glue adhesives provided. The dimension of the cardboard is 600 mm × 600 mm.
6. The tower shall be fixed and supported on the cardboard only, no external support is allowed.
Materials for each team
Two rolls of adhesive tape
200 pieces of A4 recycle paper (75 – 80 gsm)
One piece of hard cardboard (600 mm × 600 mm)
An A4 size tray (230 mm × 320 mm × 75 mm)
Upon completion of the model, each team shall return ALL unused materials to a collection box. The
weight of unused adhesive tape and unused recycle paper will be recorded.
Each team may bring along scissors, cutters, rulers and pens.
Media
Media will be invited for the loading test and prize presentation sessions.
Certificates
An attendance certificate will be issued for each participant.
Prizes
Prizes will be presented to the Champion ($3,000), First Runner-up ($2,000), Second Runner-up
($1,000), Commendation on Strongest ($1000), Lightest ($1,000) and Commendation on Aesthetic and
Innovative ($1,000).
Judging Criteria
The competition is assessed by a judging panel to be assigned by the organizer. The judging panel shall
comprise of engineers and academic staff.
(1)
Height
The height of the tower is measured from the base of the tower (the top surface of the cardboard) to the
lowest level of the loading tray. The height of the tower should be ranging from 1.5 m to 1.7 m. The
team will be DISQUALIFIED if the height of the tower falls outside this range. If the height of the tower
is greater than 1.6 meters, the team will get 50 points. Otherwise, the team will not get any point for this
part of assessment.
(2)
Strength
During the loading test, member(s) from the team will add tennis balls (about 56g per ball) on the model.
The participants will design a platform to place a paper box (320×220×80mm). The tower will be loaded
until failure. One tennis ball carries 20 points. The score of the loading test received from this part is
equal to the number of balls multiplied by 20 points. One prize will be given to the team whose tower
can carry the largest number of tennis balls.
(3)
Lightness
The leftover adhesive tape and recycle paper will be weighted. The team with heaviest leftover materials
(i.e. the lightest structure) will get 100 points from this part of assessment. The team with second heaviest
leftover material will get 90 points and so on. The team with the 10th heaviest leftover material will get
10 points. The rest of the teams will not get any points from this part of assessment. One prize will be
given to the team with the lightest model.
(4)
Aesthetic and Innovative
The tower will be assessed in terms of aesthetic and innovation. The judging panel will rank the towers
based on, inter alia, innovative connections, creative cross-sections and aesthetic overall outlook. The
team with the highest rank will get 100 points from this part of assessment. The team ranks the second
will get 90 points and so on. The team ranks the 10th will get 10 points. The rest of the teams will not get
any points from this part of assessment. One prize will be given to the team with the highest rank on
aesthetic and innovation.
Items
Height
Loading
Lightness
Aesthetic and Innovation
Criteria
Score
<1.5 m
Disqualified
1.5 - 1.6 m
0
1.6 - 1.7 m
50
> 1.7 m
Disqualified
20 points per ball
Number of balls × 20 points
the lightest tower
100
the 2nd lightest tower
90
…
…
the 10th lightest tower
10
all other teams
0
the highest rank
100
the 2nd
90
…
…
the 10th
10
All other teams
0
Important Dates:
Registration deadline: 2 June 2017 (Friday)
Briefing and Seminar: 10 June 2017 (Saturday) 3 July 2017 (Monday)
Competition:
Venue:
New Schedule
8 July 2017 (Saturday)
Art Hall or Engineering Commons, The Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology
Competition Schedule:
Time
9:00 am
Registration
Program
9:30 am
Opening address
10:00 am
Model fabrication
12:30pm
Return and weight the unused materials
12:45 pm
Lunch
(Judging panel assesses the structure models)
2:30 pm
Competition (Media are invited)
1. Qualification check
2. Height and weight measurement
3. Loading tests
4:00 pm
Prize Presentation and Photos
Chairman of Joint Structural Division, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
Director of Academy for Bright Future Young Engineers, HKUST
4:30 pm
End
Notes
1. The paper models will be stored in a place with CCTV.
2. The judging panel reserves the right to make the final decision.
3. For enquiries, please contact Ir. Fai Yeung at [email protected].