2017 Problem 4 Clarifications

“Ready, Set, Balsa, Build!”

Division I, II, III & IV

  1. October 7, 2016
    B7c – Cross section of balsa wood used in the structure: As indicated in the problem, commercial cuts vary. The cross sections are 1/8″ x 1/8″ (0.32 cm x 0.32 cm) with a maximum allowance of either dimension of 0.135″ (0.33 cm). In addition to the variance for the maximum dimensions are minimum dimensions. The minimum dimension is 0.115″ or 0.31cm x 0.31cm in one or both dimensions. Any piece that does not have a cross section between 0.31cm x 0.31cm to 0.33cm x 0.33cm will be considered a prohibited piece.
  2. October 24, 2016
    B10a – Required sets used in the structure: The team must use three, four, or five required sets of balsa wood in its structure. Each set must be different from the others as described in B10a. Teams are not allowed to use duplicate sets. Duplicate sets will be penalized as being illegal pieces – See E8d(2).
  3. December 2, 2016
    B.10.d – Duplicate sets of wood for weigh-in: Teams do not need to bring a complete set of duplicates for each set used in its structure to weigh-in. Teams must bring at least one representative stick of each set used in its structure. The representative stick must match the length and appearance (marks and/or colors) of the corresponding set in structure. For instance, if a team is using the RED set, the team must bring at least one piece that is 4 inches long. If they are using the BLACK set they have at least one piece that is 3 inches long.
  4. January 17, 2017
    Spirit of the Problem, B5c & D2 – Enlarged Replica (enlarged representation): The “enlarged representation of the structure” made from trash that is scored in D2 for being assembled, is intended to appear like a larger version of the structure. The Spirit of the Problem precludes any creative interpretations of something that could be considered to only represent the structure in anything other than its appearance. How much it looks like the structure is not specifically scored, but solutions that do not attempt to look like an enlarged version of the structure using trash will be subject to a Spirit of the Problem penalty.
  5. February 1, 2017
    B10: The length of each piece of balsa wood used in the structure will be measured from the farthest point of one end to the farthest point of the opposite end. If the ends are not perfectly perpendicular with the piece of wood imaginary planes will be used to determine length. The closest distance between the perpendicular end planes (dotted lines) is the length for that piece of balsa wood (solid).

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