On the whole, the thirteen above figures have shown the effect of varying many of the variables involved in building and shooting the trebuchet. They give much help in planning the projectile and counterweight arm-lengths and masses and allow even an inexperienced trebuchet commander to make the best of his great asset - the trebuchet.
It was once said that a picture is worth a thousand words. In my case a graph is worth two hundred for the description of all the graphs has taken the bulk of the analysis of the physics of the trebuchet, yet the graphs allow a greater understanding of the way the trebuchet works. Computer simulated experimentation has allowed us to see graphically how it all works. To conclude, the planning, construction and analysis of the trebuchet has not only allowed me to discover such a great weapon of war as was the trebuchet but also learn many valuable techniques.
Filip Radlinski, July 1996
Well, that's all. What do you think?
You can sign my guestbook (removed) or email me at (old address removed) if you have any comments or suggested fixes to any problems you had.
General bibliography:
R.Resnick and D.Halliday, Fizyka, Panstwowe wydawnictwo naukowe, Warszawa,1966
Translated into polish from Physics for students of science and engineering, New York, 1963
Bernard F. Barcio, Catapult design, construction and competition, Pompeiiana, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1978
Burdess J.S. and Fawcett J.N., Basic mechanics with engineering applications, British library, Britain, 1988
Catheral E., Exploring uses of energy, Wayland Publishers Ltd, England, 1990
Challoner J., Energy, Harper Collins Publishers, Australia, 1993
Needham J. and Yates R.D.S., Science and civilisation in China, Part 6, Cambridge University Press, 1995
Peace J., Projects in CDT, Hodder and Stoughton, Great Britain, 1988
Valens E.G., Motion, Longman Group Ltd, London, 1965
I know that "The best is yet to come" (on the title page) is from a song but I don't know which one or who sings it. If you know, please email me the details so that I can add them here.
Also, thanks to Geocities for hosting my site.