Trebuchets Research Paper

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Catapults are devices used to launch items far distances. One type of catapult that uses a sling and weight to fly items is called a trebuchet. Trebuchets were heavily used in the Medieval Ages as weapons to fling stones toward enemies. A diagram of a trebuchet is shown in Figure I.

Parts

Trebuchets have six main parts: the frame, swinging arm, sling, and counterweight. For a small wooden trebuchet, it will be made with (2.5 x 15 cm) planks, a metal bar, cloth, string, weights, and bolts/screws to hold everything together. A trebuchet must first have a steady frame (#1 in Figure I). The frame includes a large rectangular-shaped base that is 30 cm long and 10 cm wide. Attached to the base are posts. These posts are identical triangles that are placed on the long-sides of the rectangle, 7.62 cm from the end. For this trebuchet, the height of the triangles will be 24 cm (How to Build a Trebuchet). Together, this creates the frame with mirrored triangles on each side of the base. To keep the triangles from falling, there are two uprights placed in the center of the triangles and show 5 cm of wood above the triangle posts. A diagram of the frame is shown below. …show more content…

The swinging arm is a 40 cm long plank that is attached through a metal rod. The uprights in the frame have 5 cm of wood showing above the triangle posts so that a 10 cm metal rod can fit in between them, creating an axel bar. The swinging arm is attached to this rod because there will be a hole in the arm 2 cm from the end, used to slide the arm through the metal rod. (Kalif) The hole should be big enough to allow the swinging arm to move around comfortably, but not too loose. A picture of the swinging arm and metal rod is shown in the photo

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