2010 University of Scouting Pioneering Class Topics Pioneering Materials Planning Projects Lashings Knots Anchors Introduction, etc. 10:00 – 10:10 Lecture portion (Materials, Planning, Modeling) 10:10 – 10:45 Lashings, knots review 10:45 – 11:00 Project time (Lashings, knots, anchors) 11:00 – 11:50 Purpose of the class: To educate scouters on how to run a pioneering event or program. Instructors: Will Hamilton will@willhamilton.org 3/27/2010

Types of Rope Natural Fiber Synthetic Fiber Cotton Manila Sisal Nylon Soft and pliable, easy on the hands. Lacks strength and durability. Rots easily. Manila Strongest natural fiber rope available. Rots when exposed to water over time. Sisal Less strength and durability than manila. Degrades quickly when exposed to weather. Tends to mildew when wet. Synthetic Fiber Nylon Resists abrasion and will last 4-5 times longer than natural fibers. Very strong and elastic. Can absorb shock loads. Polypropylene Lightweight, strong, floats in water. Strength degrades when exposed to sunlight. Can melt at 150°F. Type (3 strand, ¼ inch) Tensile Strength (lbs) Cotton 200 Manila 540 Sisal 430 Nylon 1500 Polypropylene 1250 Strength numbers taken from US Rope and Cable, a rope supplier. http://www.us-rope-cable.com/ 3/27/2010

Rope Strength Tensile Strength – the average breaking strength of a new rope under laboratory conditions Working Load – a fraction of the tensile strength that gives plenty of room for safety and longevity of the rope, usually between 15% and 25% depending on use Knots in a rope effectively cut the tensile strength in half. Certain knots can damage the line less than others but 50% loss of strength is a good rule of thumb. What size rope should you use for the main line in a monkey bridge that boys will walk on? A one inch piece of manila rope has a tensile strength of 8100 pounds. Reduce that number by half due to knots and it becomes 4050 pounds. Divide by a factor of 20 for safety reasons and to preserve the life of the rope and you get 202 pounds. This is acceptable as long as you are sure that only one boy at a time will use the bridge. Interpretation of Rope Strength – http://www.ropeinc.com/ropetensilestrength.html One area of misunderstanding that needs to be brought to the surface is the proper interpretation of rope strength, appropriate usage and care. Let's start by defining two important terms: "tensile strength" and "working load". Tensile strength is the average strength of new rope under laboratory conditions. This is determined by wrapping the rope around two large diameter capstans and slowly tensioning the line until it breaks. The manufacturer's recommended working load is determined by taking the tensile strength and dividing it by a factor that more accurately reflects the maximum load that should be applied to a given rope to assure a comfortable safety margin and longevity of the line. Of course that factor varies with the type of fiber and the weaving construction. There are however always exceptions, most notably the fact that rope is susceptible to degradation and damage in numerous ways that are not controllable by the manufacturer.       It may surprise you to find out that the working load for most kinds of rope is between 15% and 25% of the tensile strength. Now consider the fact that any time you tie a knot in a rope you effectively cut the tensile strength in half. The knot when tensioned cuts the line. While certain kinds of knots damage the line less than others, the 50% loss of tensile strength is a good general rule to live by 3/27/2010

Typical Tensile Strength Manila 1/4" 540 lbs. 1/2" 2,380 lbs. 1" 8,100 lbs. Polypropylene 1/4" 1250 lbs. 1/2" 4,200 lbs. 1" 14,000 lbs. Nylon 1/4" 1,490 lbs. 1/2" 5,750 lbs. 1" 22,600 lbs. Strength numbers taken from US Rope and Cable, a rope supplier. http://www.us-rope-cable.com/ 3/27/2010

Care of Rope The ends of new rope should be fused or whipped to prevent fraying. A good rope is expensive and should be handled carefully. Muddy or dirty rope can be washed with a hose. Dirt or grit left in the rope should be shaken out after it has dried. Never allow wet rope to freeze. When storing rope, coil loosely and keep in a dry place and out direct sunlight. Storing rope when wet will lead to rot and mildew. Large plastic buckets work well. Whipping Rope 3/27/2010

Project Planning The Guide to Safe Scouting stresses constant inspection of all pioneering projects and materials before, during and after use. All platforms, ropes, etc where a Scout may stand or climb may never be built over five feet above ground. Monkey bridges may be no longer than 40 feet. Project ideas can come from many sources. Pioneering Merit Badge booklet Resources on the internet The boys’ imaginations 2009 G2SS http://www.scouting.org/HealthandSafety/gss/gss09.aspx 3/27/2010

Modeling Drawings and models are great ways to plan projects. They let you create a bill of materials, determine a project’s feasibility and estimate the time required to construct it. Models can be made with sticks, dowels, string, rubber bands, etc. Model making and drawing are excellent activities for troop meetings. 3/27/2010

Pioneering Knots Two half-hitches – used for binding a rope to an object Taut-line hitch - useful when the length of a line will need to be periodically adjusted Timber hitch - used to attach a single length of rope to a piece of wood Clove hitch – liable to slip when only loaded at one end, used in lashing 3/27/2010

Pioneering Knots, cont. Square knot - used to connect two ropes of equal size Bowline - used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope Sheepshank - used to shorten a rope or take up slack, comes apart easily, should not be used with synthetic rope Sheet bend - useful when joining two ropes of different diameter Round turn with two half-hitches - used to secure the end of a rope to a fixed object such as a post, won’t slip down the post 3/27/2010

Lashings Most structures are made from a combination of square lashings and diagonal lashings. Square lashings are used primarily, especially on load bearing spars. Diagonal lashings are used for cross bracing or anywhere that two spars do not touch. Lashing procedure: All lashings start with a knot. The rope is then “wrapped” to secure the two spars together. “Frapping” is then done to tighten the “wraps”. The lashing ends with another knot. 3/27/2010

Square and Diagonal Lashing Square Lashing Clove Hitch Timber Hitch Diagonal Lashing 3/27/2010

Anchors Most projects will need to be anchored to the ground for safety. Types of Anchors: Natural (trees, rocks, etc) 3-2-1 stake Log and stake Dead man (buried) 3-2-1 Stake Anchor Log and Stake Anchor 3/27/2010

Class Project Planning Monkey bridge sketch: Shear Lashing Square Lashing X-Trestle 3/27/2010

Monkey Bridge Materials Two X-trestles Six logs Four square lashings – 15’ long ¼” rope Two shear lashings – 15’ long ¼” rope Foot line – 30’ long 1” rope Two hand lines – 30’ long ½” rope Four stringers – 10’ long ¼” rope Pad for the foot line – carpet scrap Log and stake anchor Six stakes Two ropes for windlass – 5’ long ¼” rope Short log Mallet 3/27/2010

Monkey Bridge Build Plan Split into three teams Team 1, Assemble the two x-trestles. Team 2, Lay out the foot line, hands lines and tie the stringers between them. Team 3, Construct the 3-2-1 anchor. Everyone assemble the final bridge and pull the lines tight. 3/27/2010