Sustainable Dam
Last Update 3/29/2019
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We have added a Captain's Meeting on Friday night (4/5). The meeting will be from 7-8 PM in Building 13, Room 202. Teams may send a captain/team representative to ask questions and discuss logistics for the next day's competition.
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We have added a Captain's Meeting on Friday night (4/5). The meeting will be from 7-8 PM in Building 13, Room 202. Teams may send a captain/team representative to ask questions and discuss logistics for the next day's competition.
- What type of putty will we be given at the competition?
The specific brand of putty is still being decided, but you will probably get around half a cup of a water proof, non hardening putty. We are looking at different types of plumbers putty. - Is the water allowed to enter the dam if it does not pass through it? (i.e. using the dam like a collection/storage unit)
Water is allowed to enter the dam. If the water is poured into side A and drains to side B, then the dam should remain in side A of the bucket because we are calculating the water retained based on the water that collects in side B. - Do we need to submit a materials form for every material we want to use?
If you are confident in the material that is your call on whether or not you want to submit another form. If at the event the material is determined to be not allowed then your team will be notified before they begin building, and they will have to construct the dam without that material. - Are we required to remove the residue from the water bottle labels?
You are not required to remove the residue from the water bottle labels. - What is the dimension of the grooves in the testing bucket?
The slot is approximately 1/4 in wide and 1/4 in deep. For testing the walls will be inserted into slot H. - Are we allowed to use a lighter or heat source during the construction of our dam?
Lighters and heat sources are not allowed due to safety concerns and no access to outlets. - Can any portion of the dam be prefabricated before competition day?
No, the recycled materials must arrive in their original form, and then all portions of the dam will need to be created during the building time. - Can we bring pre-compressed recycled plastic?
No, all materials should be in their original form if at all possible. If a material is accidentally crushed your team will not be penalized. For example a water bottle gets dented in transit. - For the report section: Recyclable Program, what is this supposed to mean or have included inside the report?
a. This section is mainly about how you collected your materials.
b. Some of the things to include in this section is the name and specifications of you recycling program, a flyer design for the program, pictures of the collection process, collection charts/graphs based on the types of items and where they were collected, and how this program could be expanded. - How many pages or words is minimum for the report? How thorough does it need to be?
The report should be between 2 and 4 pages, and the introduction/recycling program sections can be brief and to the point, but the materials section should be more elaborate. In the materials section you should go over why you choose your materials, what they will be used for, and if possible what is their real world equivalent. - Can we use some amount of the putty to use it on the dam?
No, the putty is meant to be used as a sealant for the bottom of the dam only. - What are considered automatic DQ while making the dam?
Automatic disqualifications would include using unapproved materials/tools, and failure to submit the report before conference. - Can we use staples to staple plastic together?
No, metal staples are not allowed, but if you were able to create a plastic replacement staple that would be allowed. - Are we able to use a 6 ring soda can plastic?
No, this material is not approved. We are trying to stay along the line of hard/rigid plastics. - Are we able to melt plastics together, with no electric powered tools. (I.E. using a ziplock bag, magnifying glass and using the sun’s rays to heat up a coal) basically a handmade heating device.
Zip lock bags are not an approved material for this event, but you are allowed to use the magnifying glass as long as no flame is made. (fire hazard) - Can we use "melted wax" to stick plastics together?
No, melted wax is not an approved material. - Regarding the "Recycling Program" can we bring our own collection?
Yes, your school is responsible for all materials to be used in construction. - Can we use a hole puncher to tie some pieces together with thin cut plastic pieces?
Yes, you can bring a hole puncher to be used in your construction. - Can we use heated water?
No, and there will be no heat source provided to heat the water anyway. - Can the Dam have a base?
Yes, but if the water is poured into side A and drains to side B, then the dam should remain in side A of the bucket. This is because we are calculating the water retained based on the water that collects in side B. - What type of utilities will be available to help build the dam on sight?
Each school is required to bring all of their own materials and tools to be used in construction of their dam. - Will stacking plastic walls be permitted?
Yes, but if the water is poured into side A and drains to side B, then the dam should remain in side A of the bucket. This is because we are calculating the water retained based on the water that collects in side B. - Is there a minimum or maximum height to which the water being held back is restricted to, or is the height of the water at the discretion of the team?
The height of the water will be determined by the team and the volume of the water. You are trying to hold back as much water as you can, but if you decide that a certain level of water to be retained is better for you team that is your choice. - Will the dam be placed halfway down the width (20 5/8") or the length (15 5/8"), or can we choose which way we bisect the container?
The dam will be put in across the length (15 5/8”) direction. (Red line)
25. Will the dam separate the container into exactly 2 halves, or can we have it be placed at any distance from the walls?
The dam must be placed in slot H which is the center of the bucket. If the water is poured into side A and drains to side B, then the dam can extend into side A of the bucket. The dam should not extend into side B at all because we are calculating the water retained based on the water that collects in side B.
26. What type of putty will we be provided to secure our dam? And how much can we use?
Each team will receive approximately 9oz (1 container) of Oatey Stain Free Plumers Putty [see right]. The putty can not be used in constructing the dam or sealing your wall, essentially, you can not just put putty in the center of your wall. The putty can be used to secure the dam to the grooved walls of the bucket and may be placed along all outer edges of the dam.
The dam must be placed in slot H which is the center of the bucket. If the water is poured into side A and drains to side B, then the dam can extend into side A of the bucket. The dam should not extend into side B at all because we are calculating the water retained based on the water that collects in side B.
26. What type of putty will we be provided to secure our dam? And how much can we use?
Each team will receive approximately 9oz (1 container) of Oatey Stain Free Plumers Putty [see right]. The putty can not be used in constructing the dam or sealing your wall, essentially, you can not just put putty in the center of your wall. The putty can be used to secure the dam to the grooved walls of the bucket and may be placed along all outer edges of the dam.
