Testing the structure

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As we loaded the structure and experienced some waves, it became clear that our structure was too flexible for the amount of weight we intended to put on it.

It was a tough brief:

  • Build a super lightweight large structure in a workshop
  • Assemble by hand on the beach without power
  • Make sure it is rigid and super strong
  • Make it prefab so when it reaches the exhibition site, it is pretty much built, giving the local residents and visitors the magical “reveal” effect.

Our structure is lightweight, can be assembled on site fast, as friendly as a super lightweight truss structure can be, but I cannot handle many tons of dynamic load and the strength of the sea…

Several of our rivets popped during the first night. So we knew we had to make some changes...