Downloadables

Dam

File folders work well as the cardboard is easy to cut with scissors. It is also weak enough to fail.

Quantity: 1

Box

The box serves to contain the marbles throughout the Activity. The same box was used for the Tanks, Culverts and Retaining Wall Activities, and some of its features relate to those Activities.

Quantity: 1

Marbles

The marbles provide the loading on the tank. We used mostly 17mm diameter small marbles, with a few 24mm diameter larger ones (boulders) thrown in for variety and to avoid “crystallization” of the otherwise uniform smaller marbles. The marbles were also used for the Culvert, Dams and Retaining Wall Activities. One could, presumably use pea gravel (preferably non-crushed so that individual stones have a strong convex shape) or grain instead of marbles.

Quantity: 780 small marbles, 50 large marbles

Ruler

To measure the depth of the sea of marbles at which failure occurs.

Quantity: 1