Log Entries

11-11-09
Today, I did research on floating breakwaters and had a discussion with Mrs. McDonald on the effects of floating breakwaters versus non-floating breakwaters on marinas and the marine environment. There was an issue with the fact that a floating breakwater would cause issues with sediment build-up and lots of dredging would be necessary in the marina. There was also discussion of how to set up a wave tank to test out the breakwater. However, after researching the whisprwave floating breakwaters, and showing the site to Mrs. McDonald, it was determined that further testing with a wave tank is not needed, and the floating breakwater can sufficiently prevent sediment build-up, as well as stop erosion.

11-13-09
Today I worked on modifying my orthographic AutoCAD drawing. I changed the length of the docks, as well as the width they are apart. I also changed the length of the pieces that stick out on the sides of the dock. The docks are now 500 feet long, except for the gas dock that is 600 feet long. Also, the docks are now 100 feet apart with the exception of the gas dock, which is 150 feet apart because it will hold the largest boats. I also started to add my oil absorbent booms into the drawing.

11-17-09
Today we had a team meeting, where we reviewed the Green Marina Guidebook in preparation of Mr. Danko's visit in two days. The point of reviewing the guidebook was to look at the material again since it has been a while since we last looked at it, and we now understand a great deal more about the project that we didn't understand when we first read the guide. The second reading of the guide made a lot more sense. We made sure we were familiar with all of the different areas in the guidebook and formulated questions concerning our projects to ask Mr. Danko. Some of the questions include where we should place the oil absorbent booms in the water to get the most efficient use out of them. After the team meeting, I worked on my calendar for this marking period.

11-24-09
Today I worked on scaling our final model, and started research for the bid process report. We discussed what materials would be needed to make a final model, and places where we could purchase them. The scale for the final product was determined to be 1" equals 50'. Also, for a real life product, I chose to research the oil absorbent booms.

12-3-09
For the past few days I have been working on completing my orthographic view of the marina by deciding on final sizes for everything and dimensioning the entire drawing. I have also been working on my bid process report. We have researched various types of supplies to build our final model, and calculated the amount we would need of each product for our final model. We had first decided on using magic water in our model for the water portion, which is a product that pours and hardens on your model and has the appearance of water. However, we miscalculated the amount of this product we would need, and soon realized we would need at least $400 worth of magic water. So we are currently looking for an alternate solution to the magic water. I will be using balsa wood to construct my model docks.

12-9-09
A few days ago our team had a meeting with Mr. Danko in order to go over our specifications/limitations, as well as have him review our individual designs. We also asked him some questions about bulkheads, dock height, and how deep pilings go into the ground. We learned how a bulkhead attaches, and we received some tide information. The docks should be at least 5 feet above the water height. Mr. Danko and his assistant strongly recommended cutting down on the amount of oil booms that are used because the booms are expensive and not even necessary everywhere. He recommended placing them only in areas where there is a great deal of oil leaking, and so I moved my booms to nearby the gas dock as well as by the ramp. He also recommended placing an oil spill control kit on every dock, as well as setting up a requirement for the marina that every boat must have a boom attached to it if an owner wants to place it in that specific marina. Mr. Danko also recommended that KK move his lift to a different area, which will affect my docks. One of the docks will have to be moved at a later date, once KK figures out the location of the lift, and the amount of space it will take up.

12-11-09
Today I worked on the orthographic drawing of my dock structures, creating a top, front, and side view. I know now how deep the pilings need to be underground, as well as the height above the water the dock needs to be. The pilings should be 1' wide, and they should be placed every 7-10' (the distance is measured from the center of one piling to the center of the next piling). Also, the pilings should reach around 8-10' under the ground. The distance from the water to the dock should be at least 5'. As a team, we also planned a trip to the marina sometime next week, and developed a list of questions for the harbor office as well as a list of things we need to look at, measure, and/or photograph.

12-16-09
For the past few classes I have been working on various drawings on AutoCAD. These drawings include a site plan of the marina, a cross section/orthographic of the dock and the pilings, and an isometric of a section of dock. These drawings will include labels, dimensions, and additional notes.

12-23-09
For the past few classes, I have been working on my developmental work. I have been making a materials list and finding out the exact amount I would need for each material. I have also finalized my site plan, cross section/orthographic top, front, and side view of the dock, and isometric of the dock, including dimensions and shading.

1-6-10
During the past several classes, I have completed my first draft of my developmental work. I have received corrections and additional drawings that need to be done, such as a section of the floating breakwater, a drawing of how the oil booms attach, and placing labels and section lines on my site plan. I have also been completing my math and science report. I have been calculating the amount of pilings, surface area, and the amount of oil the booms can hold. I have also been researching tides, erosion, and how the booms actually work for the science portion of the report.

1-8-10
I have now completed my math and science report, and am now working on fixing my developmental work, as well as preparing for next week's presentations. I am labeling my site plan, working on fixing the isometric view details, changing parts of the orthographic view, and creating additional drawings. The additional drawings that are needed are a section view of the floating breakwater, and views of how the oil booms will be attached and what they will be attached to. An outline for next week's presentation is also needed.

1-12-10
Today I am finalizing CAD drawings and preparing for marking period 2 presentations, which begin tomorrow. I am working on completing my outline, and clearing the computers so that they can be wiped out tomorrow.

1-22-10
The past few classes have included presentations, working on and completing my midterm project, and finishing up any developmental work that still needs to be fixed. The midterm was a formal paper that summarized all of the developmental work and testing procedures that have been completed for the project. I have added two drawings to my developmental work, and intend to add a third before resubmission. The two new drawings are sectional views of the breakwater, and how it attaches together, and to the ground. The final drawing that needs to be completed is a boom attachment drawing.