Objective :

Your firm must  perform land tests, analyze data, and communicate with other land specialists across the country to determine which types of substrates (land) are the most stable to least stable during an earthquake. The substrate chosen must transmit the least amount of wave energy during an earthquake. The responsibility of your firm is to conduct laboratory tests that simulate earthquakes on six different substrates.  The substrates to be tested are:  SAND, WET SAND, GRAVEL, CLAY,  BEDROCK  (cement), and LAYERED LAND MASS (cement, gravel and sand).  Your firm is to form six teams; each team will perform the land test on the particular substrate as directed by the project supervisor (teacher).

• LAND TEST PROCEDURES
• DATA ANALYSIS
• COLLABORATION
• ANALYSIS OF COLLABORATIVE DATA

1.  Report to appropriate testing area.

2.  Delegate tasks according to job description (see setup diagram for testing substrates):

a.  Container Controller:
1. keeps the container in designated alignment
2. keeps the substrate leveled -- may have to level after each trial test
3. centers the prototype building (testing bottle) on top of the substrate
4. holds the container in place during each trial test
b.  Earthquake Generator:
1. lines up the pendulum with the given angle to be tested
2. releases the pendulum when all members of team are ready
c.  Observer:
1. checks that the pendulum is at the given angle to be tested
2. checks that the container is in the designated alignment
3. watches the prototype building for movement when the pendulum is released
d.  Recorder:
1. obtains the necessary charts and tables
2. records the number of stands & falls of prototype building
3. records the calculation of the stability factor (OTHER TEAM MEMBERS SHOULD ASSIST WITH CALCULATIONS)

4.  Outline the container on the base, using a dark marker or masking tape

5.  Check that all team members are sure of job duties and ready to proceed

6.  PERFORM TRIAL TEST AT 15^o

a.  Earthquake Generator
1. raise the pendulum to the 15^o angle, being careful to keep the string straight
2. release the pendulum and catch the pendulum after the first hit, without touching the container
b.  Observer & Recorder (must carefully work together)
     --record whether the prototype building stands or falls on the "TEAM TRIAL TABLE"
• use "S" if building remains standing
• use "F" is building falls
c.  Container Controller
1. replace the container on the base in the designated area, so that the line of string from the pendulum is centered and perpendicular to the container
2. recenter the prototype building (testing bottle) on top of the substrate
3. remember to hold the container in place during each trial test
d.  -Repeat the trial tests at 15^o for a total of ten (10) times;
     -Record all results on "TEAM TRIAL TABLE"

Your team will now analyze, record, and graph results.  All team members should participate in this process.  Recorder will record results on "TEAM DATA TABLE"

1.  TALLY RESULTS

a.  Refer to the "TEAM TRIAL TABLE" at the row labeled 15^o :

1. tally (add up) the total number of  "S" marks from the "TEAM TRIAL TABLE" and record this number in the "Remains Standing" column on the "TEAM DATA TABLE"
2. tally (add up) the total number of  "F" marks from the "TEAM TRIAL TABLE" and record this number in the "Falls" column on the "TEAM DATA TABLE"
b.  Repeat the above procedure for each of the following angles:  30^o, 45^o, 60^o, 75^o, and 90^o

a.  DETERMINE STABILITY FACTOR
        (To determine the stability factor divide the number of times the object remains standing by
        the total number of trials.)

b.  DETERMINE IF THE SUBSTRATE PROVIDED STABILITY
        (If the stability factor is between 0.0 and 0.5 the substrate is considered unstable and
         therefore the answer is "NO".  If the stability factor is between 0.6 and 1.0 the substrate  is
         considered stable and the answer is "YES")

a.  TEAM LINE GRAPH
1.  Refer to illustration of line graph
2.  Label the x-axis "Angle"
3.  Label the y-axis "Stability Factor"
4.  Plot the stability factor for each angle
For example :  At 15^o the stability factor is 0.7 so...
         5.  Compare the line graph from your team's substrate with the line graphs from the other
              teams (use the overhead projector)
         6.  Draw conclusions explaining which substrate is the most and least stable; explain your
              reasons

 b.  FIRM (class) BAR GRAPH
         1. Refer to illustration of bar graph
         2.  Using results from the "Does Substrate Provide Stability (**)" column, determine the
              greatest angle at which the substrate provided stability to the prototype building.
         3.  Select one person from your team to shade in your team's substrate bar on the enlarged
              FIRM BAR GRAPH on display in your meeting room (classroom).  The bar should be
              filled in to show the greatest angle at which that substrate is stable.
         4.  Complete a copy of the class bar graph for your portfolio
         5.  Draw conclusions explaining which substrate is the most and least stable; explain your
              reasons 

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1. Submit final copies of your team's portfolio to the firm's supervisor (teacher).
2. The supervisor will submit your findings to FUNSTUFF, INC.
3. Your firm will be notified after all the information from the other testing firms is collected.
4. Your firm will receive copies of all the pooled data for all the substrates; your team will only receive the data regarding the substrate which you tested.
5. Your team will then analyze the pooled data for your substrate.

  

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ANALYSIS OF COLLABORATIVE DATA

Refer to posted "COLLABORATIVE TABLE OF STABILITY FACTORS" for your substrate.

1.  Prepare a COLLABORATIVE BAR GRAPH

a.  determine the largest angle at which the prototype building remained standing
b.  draw a bar on the enlarged COLLABORATIVE BAR GRAPH, indicating the above angle
c.  write the average stability factor for your substrate inside the bar
d.  compare the collaborative bar graph to your class bar graph, noting similarities and differences
e.  draw conclusions explaining which substrate is the most to least stable; explain your reasons

a.  Refer to illustration of line graph
b.  Label the x-axis "Angle"
c.  Label the y-axis "Average Stability Factor"
d.  Plot the average stability factor for each angle

a.  Copy your line graph onto a transparency; your team supervisor (teacher) will provide necessary materials
b.  Compare the line graph from your team's substrate with the line graphs from the other teams    (use the overhead projector)

a.  Draw conclusions explaining which substrate is the most and least stable; explain your reasons
b.  Draw conclusions explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each type of graph
     (LINE GRAPH VS. BAR GRAPH) 

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