week 9 workshop time

My main goal with this workshop time was to explore manipulating PVC pipe though heating and bending. I started by testing what would happen to the material when bending without filling it with sand, I realised beforehand that without the internal brace the material would sink in and collapse on itself, loosing structural integrity.

From these tests I got a rough idea of how to use a heat gun without burning the Pipe, it also highlighted the stress weakness that can occur when bending. Any bumps or ripples that deviate from the cylindrical form become structural weakness that will lead to the plastic collapsing and breaking.

Stress test on the pieces from week 9 lead to them being largely destroyed.


Examples

Top piece; Structural integrity failed completely, due to minimal pressure applied by hand. Plastic had contained deep horizontal creases that completely undermined its strength.

Bottom piece; An example of too much heat being applied on a focused point, surface of the material has been burnt and ruined.