There's an engineering competition called "Concrete Canoe", where we have to build a canoe out of concrete and then race it. And yes, the canoe floats. But anyways, it's not an easy process. We have to assemble the mold, prepare it, and then spray concrete on it. But without further ado, here is proof that joining a team is not as lame as people might imagine it. These pics are from working on it late Friday night, plastering and sanding down the mold to get a smooth shape.
Edit: Update!
Turns out we had to re-assemble the mould, so he it is in pieces.
Reassembled and wrapped/taped.
Covering the canoe in vasoline so that the concrete doesn't stick to the plastic. Yeah, that's right. Our canoe is covered in lube.
Finally spraying the concrete onto the mould, layer by layer.
Mixing the concrete.
Yours truly helping with the mixing.
I had to separate a handful of hair-like fibres and mix them into the concrete.
Still spraying...
Putting in layers of mesh to increase tensile strength.
Smoothing out the surface by hand to reduce the amount of sanding we'll have to do later.
A semi-smooth surface, and our Course Union shirts.
Trying to smooth it out even more by hand.
Will update again with a finished product.
img.cgi?i=7035 Again, I could make many jokes here about nerds, but I am above that. When is the race, and will it be filmed?
Again, I could make many jokes here about nerds, but I am above that.
When is the race, and will it be filmed?
Your image failed. The race is sometime between May 8 and May 12. If I'm paddling, I'll make sure our shore party films. Otherwise, I'll document it myself.
Quote: from OLPFan200 at 2:46 am on April 7, 2008 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Wtfff seriously? When? Where? Something is happening in Hali? I'm impressed.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
I kid you not. I'll be there from May 8 - 11. I believe Dalhousie is hosting it.
Do beer and concrete mix well? (Pardon the pun.)
You may have been joking, but I'm actually quite curious what happens. I'll test it next year.
And barnabas: Getting there. =D
Quote: from RPI engiNERD at 1:40 am on April 7, 2008 kinda funny that I am reading this instead of studying for a test in concrete design. my school thought about this but not enough people were interested, though we are entering the steel bridge competition. were are u competing with that anyway? Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The competition is actually based on the American one. And I had thought about entering the Troitske Steel Bridge Competition, but between working for the summer with a firm, Concrete Canoe, and a conference I'm in charge of, I just don't have time. Maybe next year though. And concrete design is fun. I don't take it next year, but I got a crash-course in it for this competition. I actually designed a mix that actually floated on it's own. Sadly, it was only good for like 3MPa.
kinda funny that I am reading this instead of studying for a test in concrete design. my school thought about this but not enough people were interested, though we are entering the steel bridge competition. were are u competing with that anyway?
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The competition is actually based on the American one.
And I had thought about entering the Troitske Steel Bridge Competition, but between working for the summer with a firm, Concrete Canoe, and a conference I'm in charge of, I just don't have time. Maybe next year though.
And concrete design is fun. I don't take it next year, but I got a crash-course in it for this competition. I actually designed a mix that actually floated on it's own. Sadly, it was only good for like 3MPa.
This is just the stinkin coolest thing in my opinion.
How is the rowing coming? Getting buff yet?
how many people on the "team"
We have roughly 8 people actively working on it. There's a few others that kinda come and go.