User:JaisonR/Igloo

Write problem/project Goal
How to prepare, design and construct an igloo in Maryland?

My First Task
Design block formation

Summary of actual work over first weekend
First igloo design was created.

Igloo main body


 * 1) -Base will have a diameter of 6ft


 * 1) --Circumference will be 18.84ft or about 19ft


 * 1) -Dome height will be 8ft


 * 1) -Entrance will be 2ft long by 2ft high

Design considerations:


 * 1) It is important that the igloo's structure has a parabolic shape and is not a hemisphere. This will prevent collapse.


 * 1) Basic formula for dome shape is y=(-1/4)x^2+8

Relevant source pages:

Parabolic shape pg 39

Base shape      pg 40-41

Block Laying    pg 48-49

Source text: "How to build and Igloo and other snow shelters" by Norbert E. Yankielun

ISBN-13: 978-0-393-7315-3

ISBN-10: 0-393-73215-0

Week1 Narrative
Over the first weekend I produced our first design. Dimensions are located above. Important to keep in mind according to our source text is that the igloo should be a parabolic shape ensuring that snow blocks are kept under compression and not tension. This will not only ensure stability but also safety. Also learned was that igloos are made from snow blocks and not made from blocks of ice. This will greatly simplify construction.< /br> < /br>

My Second Task
Attempt to build a scale model for the igloo using Playdough.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned? Over the first weekend I attempted to make a model igloo out of playdough. I made two attempts but each ended in failure.

Activities:

Made 5 batches of playdough using the following formula:

2 cups flour

2 cups warm water

1 cup salt

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)

This formula was obtained from [| Here]

Week2 Narrative
Made 5 batches of playdough using the formula mentioned above.

After making the playdough I made two attempts at constructing the Igloo.

/Igloo Attempt 1/

/Igloo Attempt 2/

Igloo Construction First Steps:

Both attempts started here.

To start building the igloo I started out by constructing the base which was reused for the second attempt. I used a ruler to mark out a perfectly round base to the scale that I wanted. The base was 7 inches in diameter and was supposed to be about 8 inches tall.

To help build the igloo to scale I made sure to make all my blocks to scale. Each block measured approximately 1.5'x1'x1'. I used a platic ruler, a dough roller and a pocket knife to cut the blocks to the appropriate shape. If you look at the second photo on the right you will see block formation en masse. This process proved to be more effective and efficient than cuting blocks individually

It is important to note the third photo on the bottom left. Cutting the ends of the block with the appropriate angle is viatal for stability. I noted here that from experiment the shallower the angle the more stable the igloo was.

My Third task
Successfully build an igloo out of playdough using learned techniques form the first weekend.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
My original plan was to successfully build an Igloo using the knowledge that I learned in the first two attempts. Fortunately, my third attempt was successful with the new improvements.

Week3 Narrative
Over the weekend I managed to successfully build and igloo using playdough. I did have to make some important changes in order to make this last attempt successful.

Changes: 25% smaller, shallower block to block angle, increased top angle, top angle added to each layer.

New things learned: Block to block angle must be very shallow but gradually increase for last 3-4 layers. Final blocks on top 2 layers should be approximately trapezoidal. Slope in first layer should be gradual and end at ground level.

/Igloo Attempt 3/

/Igloo Attempt 3 Reformed/

Completed "How to make an igloo using playdough" tutorial. It is located here



My Fourth task
Try to determine the math behind igloo construction and create formulas.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
I tried to handle creating formulas for the angles as much as I can but surprisingly igloo building is very complex. I did manage a few rough calculations and formulas but much more work is needed to be done.

Week4 Narrative
I used Ti-Nspire CAS student software to make the images below. I also used this software to help me find the appropriate formulas for my igloo.

See my Igloo Math Tutorial .'''

While I did manage to mostly complete the formulas for the igloo I did so only for two dimensions. Unfortunately the 3 dimensional formulas will provide more accuracy than the ones that I derived. The tutorial above explains how I derived the formulas and what assumptions I made. It also explains where each variable came from and how each variable fits into the formula. With average knowledge (assuming engineering student) these formulas should be relatively easy to manipulate and understand.

Complete Team Page
Wrote Summary, Next Steps, Material list, Tutorials and did significant editing and commentary in story section.