CATAPULT Project

A Classical Trebuchet

A classical trebuchet involves a falling counterweight which accelerates the throwing arm and the sling
attached to it. A small speed on the counterweight provides a large speed on the end of the throwing arm
and an even larger speed on the projectile in the sling because the arm and projectile have a much larger
radius from the fulcrum than the counterweight does. Ideally, the sling will release when the projectile
is traveling at a 45-degree angle to the ground, and the counterweight should impart all of its energy to
the projectile. I decided to make a trebuchet that would use a case of soda as a counterweight and would
throw a single can of soda as far as possible.

Aside from the basic components of the trebuchet there are other factors to consider when building a
trebuchet.  After building the initial small-scale model I made changes and added these items:
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WHEELS: As the counterweight swings down, the trebuchet rolls forwards and then backwards. The
forward motion adds to the velocity of the projectile, much as the forward motion of a baseball pitcher
add to the velocity of a ball. The forwards motion of the trebuchet also helps to smooth out the motion
of the swinging beam, adding to the control of the projectile.

COUNTERWEIGHTS WERE OF TWO TYPES: fixed or hinged. Fixed counterweights were easier

to design and build. However, in an effort to harness the full energy of the falling mass, hinged
counterweight trebuchets were built.  I used both and found the projectile went further with a hinged
counterweight.  The hinge allowed the counterweight to fall at maximum velocity without any
horizontal drag.

THINGS I WOULD CHANGE

There are a couple things I would change when I tackle this project again.  One thing would be to
increase the amount of counter weight used from (1) case to (2) cases of soda because generally in a
trebuchet as the weight increases the distance increases as well.  We should have cut the hole in our arm
further so that the arm could reach the trigger without additional string. This would make our trebuchet
more efficient.  And lastly, I would create an adjustable pin mechanism to adjust firing angle on the
battle field.

CONCLUSION
This trebuchet model was an enjoyable and surprising project. The design and construction were both
challenging and interesting, and this small project allows you to exercise both your mind and your
hands. It was surprising because the mathematical model corresponded so well with the range and actual
performance in the field. I think it can be said with certainty that the more soda you drink out of the can
to be thrown (making it lighter), and the more soda you add to the counterweight, the distance travelled
by the projectile increases. In addition, the greater the height above the ground the counterweight is
held, and the greater the angle the projectile turns through, the greater the displacement of the projectile.
For an object that is 36" tall and works on only gravity to fire an object 33 feet (as mine did) attests to
the beauty and pragmatism of the trebuchet design.
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