How to Design the Perfect Trebuchet

Thanks to Pepperonin for supporting us on Patreon and making this video possible! Support us here: bit.ly/2qBHcvf
Looking to lay siege to your neighbor's house? In this video, we'll teach you the basic design principles behind trebuchet construction.
(This video is purely for educational purposes, please do not lay siege to anything)
Siano's Paper on Trebuchet Mechanics: www.algobeautytreb.com/trebmat...
The trebuchet is one of the most famous siege engines of all time, and designing and optimizing the powerful machine involves some tedious work.
To understand how to optimize the design of a trebuchet, first we need to understand exactly what designs and principles make up one. A trebuchet in its most pure form involves a counterweight that falls completely along the vertical axis and a swing arm. Attached to the end of the swing arm is typically something like a sling to increase rotational velocity, but it isn’t essential to trebuchet design. Potential energy is stored in the lever mechanism as the large counterweight is lifted. Once dropped, the potential energy stored in the counterweight is transformed through linear motion into rotational kinetic energy for the projectile.
It’s important to note that no compound motion or mechanism is involved in the trebuchet, rather it is one simple lever arm along with a counterweight. Once the mechanism is understood, the variables to controlling flight begin to appear. Being such a simple design, the only things you can vary are the lever arm length, the height, the counterweight weight, and where to position the fulcrum along the lever arm. While the constraints may seem limiting, optimizing all of these factors can produce a highly efficient machine.
All images and videos courtesy of the creative commons or used in accordance with fair use laws.
Trebuchet animation courtesy of Handrox-G via VideoHive. Copyright information available upon request.
Brittle Rille - Reunited by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/

Пікірлер: 127

  • @FortInTheWoods
    @FortInTheWoods5 жыл бұрын

    This is much more informative than our video... Less breaking things, but much more informative.

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    Nice video! You guys deserve more subscriptions. Keep it up.

  • @autopartsmonkey7992

    @autopartsmonkey7992

    5 жыл бұрын

    you are a idiot...this vid is horridly bad.

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@autopartsmonkey7992 lol

  • @shsssggsshsgsgs7676

    @shsssggsshsgsgs7676

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@autopartsmonkey7992 shut up

  • @Demonetized-wd6yn

    @Demonetized-wd6yn

    28 күн бұрын

    This is the least informative video on trebuchet tuning I have ever seen. Yours must be dreadful.

  • @takaohasiguchi433
    @takaohasiguchi4335 жыл бұрын

    I feel like it's really a lost opportunity whenever you explain an element of the trebuchet but didn't actually show it on the screen, instead playing the default trebuchet shooting animation. For example: When talking about the arm length, you can lengthen or shorten the arm of the trebuchet, let it shoots, and see how the shot would be different with the change.

  • @Demonetized-wd6yn

    @Demonetized-wd6yn

    28 күн бұрын

    You are so right. I’m shocked at all the meat riding in the comments - even though I understand the elements he’s talking about quite well after this poor presentation I felt like I knew less than when I started. He makes no effort to explain anything - it reads like the worlds most useless Wikipedia article.

  • @kev3d
    @kev3d5 жыл бұрын

    0:06 "Stop looking at our plans, woman. You don't even get a hard hat."

  • @MedievalTrebuchet
    @MedievalTrebuchet5 жыл бұрын

    At 1:12 minute-mark you say that there are only four things you can vary: "Lever arm length, height, counterweight weight, and fulcrum position." You are missing half! You can vary the counterweight height, the sling length, and the angle of the pin on the tip of the throwing arm, as well as the CG of the arm. The counterweight height is how far it hangs from the counterweight axle on the arm. A counterweight height of zero would imply a fixed counterweight. Ideally, you want the counterweight to hang as far down as possible without hitting the ground, but in the case of trebuchets like the one at Warwick the box has to clear the winding axle for the treadwheels. You can also vary the CG of the throwing arm by tapering it or adding "counterpoise" weight. Some medieval drawings feature an added ring of weight on the butt end of the throwing arm (in addition to the counterweight box), which was probably meant to bring the CG of the arm closer to the main axle even before the box was attached.

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    Both sling variables (length and pin) are dependent on your choice of counterweights arm length, and projectile size. My point was to state the unconstrained variables you could optimize the design. Sling variables are highly dependent in the design process. Counterweight height is a variable I mentioned as well as usually being dependent on lever arm length and height in traditional trebuchet designs. The CG of arm is also a dependent variable on the variables I mentioned 🙂

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    My experience with the "rings", "heavy short arm" is that that mass slows the arm down. It's just more mass that has to be accelerated. I think the lighter the upper hanger arm and short arm are, the faster the throwing arm will be.

  • @curtismilligan317
    @curtismilligan3176 жыл бұрын

    So did I get this right? The ideal payload to counter weight length is 3.75:1, 4:1, or 5:1 and the ideal projectile mass to counterweight mass is either 1:75, 1:100, or 1:133. If so I need a bit more of a clear answer from this.

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    Every machine is different, and those numbers mean nothing. Too many factors to say "this is the best way", or "this is optimal". These machines are purpose designed and the only thing that matters is can they forcefully hit the target repeatedly and not fall apart, from a range that the crew would not be killed by arrows. Now with Sport Catapulting and Punkin Chunkin the machines are still purpose built, and everyone is unique. No formula or equation can tell you the best way to build any of them.

  • @MTEXX

    @MTEXX

    4 жыл бұрын

    3.75:1 beam ratio x PSSSHHSHHS' rule of 20 means that CW to projectile is 75:1. Just seconds prior, you say the mass ratio should be 133:1. These rules are not in agreement. So, which one is it?

  • @HickLif3

    @HickLif3

    3 жыл бұрын

    ​@@MTEXX I think he just meant that 133:1 is the widely known or used rule jsut like the 4:1 or 5:1 lever arm ratios are the most commonly used. But the math says it isn't the best

  • @aaronlatapi2272
    @aaronlatapi2272 Жыл бұрын

    You uploaded the exact video i was looking for! You see I juste entered a contest of catapults. I thougt of trebuchets but i didnt know how to start building it until you. Thanks good cuality video

  • @boltonky
    @boltonky5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, Great help for an upcoming project

  • @mjstow
    @mjstow5 жыл бұрын

    Bloody brilliant. Just the info I was looking for. An easy subscribe.

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    Glad to have you on board! ✌🏻🙂

  • @tbmike23
    @tbmike2327 күн бұрын

    Maximizing potential energy is crucial. Construcing trebuchet so that the weight falls as vertically as possible, instead of swinging, increases efficiency. Wheeled trebuchet end up being the most efficient.

  • @pavelmolodchik
    @pavelmolodchik2 жыл бұрын

    Can I please have the counterweight be perfectly motionless after the shot thus converting all its potential energy into the kinetic energy of the projectile? Or am I asking too much

  • @ouchman4212
    @ouchman42124 жыл бұрын

    putting the swinging fulcrum on wheels allows for a more direct vertical drop and increases force and velocity of projectile

  • @NoOne-yv2ei

    @NoOne-yv2ei

    Жыл бұрын

    That is the modern floating arm trebuchet

  • @laurenoney4169
    @laurenoney41696 жыл бұрын

    "you can read" 😂 sass levels are high!

  • @durrdrrrrrrrrrrr
    @durrdrrrrrrrrrrr5 жыл бұрын

    The superior siege weapon

  • @breannestahlman5953
    @breannestahlman5953 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this very good cideo!

  • @dv5873
    @dv58735 жыл бұрын

    Exactly what I was looking for, great video

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    Glad I could help!

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    Look up Texas Trebuchet on facebook.

  • @jeeyonim9595
    @jeeyonim95955 жыл бұрын

    Do the 1-3. 75 ratio what should be the weight

  • @zarminehk
    @zarminehk4 жыл бұрын

    Lol I love that part “it’s called pssssssss. Well you can read.”

  • @t.j.payeur5331
    @t.j.payeur53312 жыл бұрын

    All you need is one day in the field, equations, not so much...

  • @tombarker5640
    @tombarker56403 жыл бұрын

    What is the optimal angle of alpha? Total noob here really trying to optimise the distance using parabolic arch. 30 degrees seems to be the standard but I’m getting wild variations.

  • @pedrosabino8751

    @pedrosabino8751

    2 жыл бұрын

    A bit late but the optimal angle is 45 degrees, that way u can get the maximun distance

  • @Hambxne
    @Hambxne4 жыл бұрын

    Depending on how long this quarantine lasts, I may just have to build a trebuchet and lob a fireball at my neighbors house on Wednesday May 6th at 5:32 AM EST..

  • @01elsty
    @01elsty5 жыл бұрын

    2:36 so 2001 or 2013?

  • @jubaaliu7414
    @jubaaliu74145 жыл бұрын

    Awesome vid

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @breannestahlman5953
    @breannestahlman5953 Жыл бұрын

    I have aquestion: How to take into account the elevation, let say that you shoot your trebuchet from an elevated site, how to calculate everything, is there some magic online to do that fast and easy?

  • @kraigthorne
    @kraigthorne4 жыл бұрын

    3:03 #4 the Trebuchet MUST have wheels.

  • @lordbalzamore7692

    @lordbalzamore7692

    4 жыл бұрын

    Why? That would decrease the release velocity. Ideally you'd want a secure base, else there will be energy wastage.

  • @Pecuniarly

    @Pecuniarly

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@lordbalzamore7692 Two main reasons: 1) when it's on wheels, the trebuchet will roll back and forth such that the counterweight can fall straight down, which is more efficient since else a small part of the weight gets transferred to the throwing arm (also see kzread.info/dash/bejne/faR6ttt-XdrPftI.html) and 2) it reduces stress on various parts during the throw and doesn't kae it want to tilt over.

  • @uegvdczuVF

    @uegvdczuVF

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@lordbalzamore7692 So that they can run you over.

  • @kraigthorne
    @kraigthorne4 жыл бұрын

    2:32 Donald B Siano is educated and ignorant. Everyone who knows anything at all about trebuchets knows that they need to have wheels!!! The wheels make it so all the kinetic energy of the counterweight can be used to move the projectile. If there are no wheels the extra kinetic energy will be absorbed by the trebuchet.

  • @mateusmelo2356
    @mateusmelo23564 жыл бұрын

    Ksp background and a Brazilian meme 😍

  • @utseb1
    @utseb13 жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @LawatheMEid
    @LawatheMEid6 жыл бұрын

    nice

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @serenitymeadows741
    @serenitymeadows7415 жыл бұрын

    the only reason im watching this is bc my teacher is forcing me to do this project that im like 3 weeks behind on.....and we only have 4 weeks....-_- just typing this reminds me how screwed i actually am...

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    Lol let me know if you need any help! ✌🏻 also we make more fun videos too😉

  • @kierant.5568
    @kierant.55684 жыл бұрын

    I’m gonna build one in the back of my truck

  • @kgtc
    @kgtc5 жыл бұрын

    0:05 Safety lapse. The worker on the right is not wearing a helmet while working in a construction site with potential falling object hazards!

  • @PyroBlaze202_alt
    @PyroBlaze202_alt6 жыл бұрын

    A video on Tuesday?!

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    6 жыл бұрын

    We had a lot of content scheduled and decided to push an extra one out this week 🙂✌🏻

  • @davidx9901
    @davidx9901 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing….PARENTING! (Oh, and the trebuchet c’est très cool aussi!)

  • @mdittus0097
    @mdittus00974 жыл бұрын

    Lady in the second slide had no helmet on... OSHA!!!

  • @MatthewHanson1
    @MatthewHanson1 Жыл бұрын

    Respect from KC sportsbike society

  • @zarminehk
    @zarminehk4 жыл бұрын

    4:29 is amazing 😂🤣

  • @trapgeekstudio3677
    @trapgeekstudio36776 жыл бұрын

    Tuesday?!?!? I wasn't expecting this...

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    6 жыл бұрын

    😉 we had a ton of content ready to go and decided to push another out this week✌🏻

  • @trapgeekstudio3677

    @trapgeekstudio3677

    6 жыл бұрын

    Concerning Reality Thank you lol

  • @kallasrinivasarao8306

    @kallasrinivasarao8306

    6 жыл бұрын

    Concerning Reality fymhtutukw

  • @thomasrosenthal1738
    @thomasrosenthal17385 жыл бұрын

    OK, Siano later came out and said that he made some invalid assumptions. Pfsshthpok's Rule is a guide based on observations of a number of trebuchets and breaks down at extremes of mass ratio or leverage ratio. Da Vinci came out with better numbers involving square roots. You could build a treb based on the info in this video and it would doubtless work well, but it wouldn't be "perfect".

  • @zaccomusic
    @zaccomusic4 жыл бұрын

    good video hope you keep update :)

  • @mariosanchez4551
    @mariosanchez45514 жыл бұрын

    I like the fact we are destroying our neighbors :D

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    4 жыл бұрын

    SEIGE!

  • @mdtalhaansari1096
    @mdtalhaansari10964 жыл бұрын

    when I clicked on the vid, I was thinking perfectly aiming trebuchet.

  • @theatheistlegend7395
    @theatheistlegend73956 жыл бұрын

    Subbed...

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    6 жыл бұрын

    Welcome! New videos every Monday! 😉✌🏻

  • @PDX97213
    @PDX972135 жыл бұрын

    Add wheels and throw distance increases by nearly a third. Test it on any trebuchet.

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    No, not on a hinged counterweight trebuchet. On a Fixed Counterweight Trebuchet, yes.

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    Not on a MURLIN.

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    Not on a FAT or an F2K.

  • @raypolley747
    @raypolley7475 жыл бұрын

    You know I'm impressed with the fact that you have a degree(s) in engineering and you can throw around all the big equations and all, but do you really think the folks, back when these were designed, used the same method, I think not. I think, if you can even do it, that you go back to basics and design one, as our ancestors had, and build one.

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    I have. These equations just give meaning to random guessing and checking when they were originally built. They’re the mathematical representation of all the work that was done in previous eras. As is all science and engineering.

  • @someguy7633
    @someguy76335 жыл бұрын

    Directions unclear, shot a tennis ball into the solar system

  • @hibahprice6887
    @hibahprice68875 жыл бұрын

    Стену метровой толщины из гранитного камня мне кажется с такого даже не поцарапать

  • @cyberninjax
    @cyberninjax3 жыл бұрын

    Colin Furze are the best

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    3 жыл бұрын

    He is the best.

  • @patsevers9617
    @patsevers96174 жыл бұрын

    alright kerbal we get it

  • @dinonuggets7148
    @dinonuggets71485 жыл бұрын

    Trebuchets are better than catapults

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    A Trebuchet Is a catapult!

  • @dinonuggets7148

    @dinonuggets7148

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@FingerAngle cease your heresy

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@dinonuggets7148 lol No! Fling at me, bro! All Throwing Machines Are Catapults! A Trebuchet is a gravity powered catapult. An Onager is a Torsion powered single armed catapult. A Ballista is a twin engine twin arm torsion powered catapult. A sling shot is a catapult. You have to be specific.

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@dinonuggets7148 and by Better, what exactly do you mean, range, accuracy, rate of fire, payload, mobility, ease to build, operate?

  • @FingerAngle

    @FingerAngle

    5 жыл бұрын

    Do you even hurl, bro? Maybe you should ask somebody...

  • @georgerabus9314
    @georgerabus93144 жыл бұрын

    my head is hurting! i just wanted to build a catapult for fun

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    4 жыл бұрын

    😂 trial and error will work too

  • @StaggersonJagz
    @StaggersonJagz4 жыл бұрын

    there are two lever arms, you forgot about the sling

  • @allamasadi7970
    @allamasadi79706 жыл бұрын

    Have you watched video's from the Shadiversity KZread channel? There is amazing content about medieval weapons and architecture! You must watch the video about whether the castles and fortresses in the LOTR trilogy are historically accurate. In my opinion video's that are educational and entertaining at the same time makes a KZread Channel achieve cult status. So channels like Wendover Productions, Real Life Lore, Shadiversity, Geography Now and so on. Keep creating this amazing content as achieving this cult status is definitely possible for your channel even though difficult and takes a lot of research. But it will gain you MUCH more respect than people like Logan Paul who just simply make video's of themselves fooling around acting like idiots ( videos that do not take much thought/planning or effort). Also do not feel pressured to get a video released every Monday, it is OK to be delayed a couple of days because the content of your channel is top quality and I think your viewership will understand the effort and time required for even short videos like yours. So they will understand it. Even Real Life Lore have been delayed by a day and Wendover Productions have reduced their output from a video every 2 weeks to a video every 3 weeks! By the way these are the list of KZread channels that I think have attained cult status, your channel is on its way to join this list! Wendover Productions Real Life Lore Dan Lok Valuetainment Joe Scott Vsauce Tom Scott Financial Education Half as Interesting Visual Politik Shadiversity Metatron Skalligrim Lindybiege Alternate History Hub How to Make Everything Simple History The Inforgraphics Show Valuetainment Brain4 breakfast Zephereus Geography Now Braincraft 👍👍

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 🙂

  • @mr.highschoollocksmith6080
    @mr.highschoollocksmith60805 жыл бұрын

    Bold of you to assume I can read...

  • @Jkauppa
    @Jkauppa3 жыл бұрын

    bs, i will call your bluff with rotary cannon

  • @muliarida6700
    @muliarida67004 жыл бұрын

    Me: *builds this* I want to destroy school Friend: lol what is the ammo? Some rock hahaha Me: I got a better idea Friend: Wot is it? Me: 10 kg of gunpowder in a burned wooden ball that was followed by throwing water ballon that was filled with gasoline

  • @NicolasPicklelas
    @NicolasPicklelas9 ай бұрын

    Kerbal space program

  • @umbra6771
    @umbra67714 жыл бұрын

    Any Monash engineering students here?

  • @Demonetized-wd6yn

    @Demonetized-wd6yn

    28 күн бұрын

    Is Monash as bad as the rumours? Apparently it’s just foreigners now, zero Australians. My uni has gotten bad, 50%+ of their holdings were in China and they conceded they are just a people smuggling organisation in an internal memo back in 2005.

  • @randomchannelyoufound9067
    @randomchannelyoufound90674 жыл бұрын

    Am here because of PewDiePie

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    4 жыл бұрын

    But how?

  • @yeetoskeeto425

    @yeetoskeeto425

    4 жыл бұрын

    Random Channel you found how

  • @mrshoeguy2477
    @mrshoeguy24775 жыл бұрын

    That was not a trebuchet. Trebuchets have wheels on the bottom so they can move which allows the counterweight to fall in a straight line.

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    5 жыл бұрын

    This was a trebuchet....

  • @SineEyed

    @SineEyed

    4 жыл бұрын

    @Warrior Son you wouldn't be able to point to any historical data which supports your claim, would you?..

  • @yeetoskeeto425
    @yeetoskeeto4254 жыл бұрын

    I hate my damn school, osher ik you saw this.

  • @richardpeterson3753
    @richardpeterson37532 жыл бұрын

    inaccurate information.the length of the sling is extremely important to a counterweight treb.do your homework next time bruh.

  • @Demonetized-wd6yn
    @Demonetized-wd6yn28 күн бұрын

    You did a shockingly poor job explaining this, you made no effort to show rather than tell, telling us the equation that governs it is one thing, showing what you mean is an entirely different thing. You are a very poor presenter. I feel bad for kids watching this or people who couldn’t follow along they’d be left utterly frustrated. Don’t do that to people, it doesn’t have to be over explainy and pandering but it doesn’t need to be whatever this is, this was terrible even for someone who knows what you’re talking about.

  • @ConcerningReality

    @ConcerningReality

    28 күн бұрын

    aw, you're too kind!