Balsa wood tower - building questions

[Guest pisthelimit]

I'm building a balsa wood tower in class, as a part of a group of three. I'm in need of some input about structure design. :)

 

currently, it weighs 43 grams, but we have a weight limit of 90 grams. We're trying to get it to hold as much weight as possible.

 

What would be stronger, having a cross-hatching design on the side of the tower, or having a triangle shape on the side of the tower?

 

To help imagine what our tower is like:

 

8 cm square on top, 20 cm square base, with four 50 cm legs.

 

I'd add a picture, but I have a pitiful lack of camera.

 

PLZ HALP.

 

Thanks!

[GAHD]

http://hypography.com/forums/science-projects-and-homework/17777-cross-bracing-in-a-balsa-tower.html

 

http://hypography.com/forums/science-projects-and-homework/11143-building-a-wooden-tower.html

 

Two threads here where we've discussed this before, you might want to take a read through them for some ideas :)

From your description, I notice the tower has an outward slant to the legs. Depending on how the load is going to be placed on the tower you may want to reinforce the rigidity of the legs by joining them near the feet, as well as placing a beam or two from the load bearing points to the feet.

 

Hope it helps