Bird Trail Stairway Access Replacement

Author(s) Information

Mackenzie Wright, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
William Spellman, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Nicholas Buccino, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Jack Long, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 4

College of Engineering

Department - Author 4

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 4

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2024

Primary Advisor

Eileen Rossman, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

Dana Adobe & Cultural Center, a non-profit organization in Nipomo, California, seeks to restore access to the Bird Trail located on their site. This project aims to design and manufacture a replacement stairway for safe creek bed crossing on the trail. Within this document, we have detailed our system design, function, and justification for our design. The procurement, manufacturing, and assembly plan have been outlined along with tests we completed.

One of the most important functions of our design is for the structure to be retractable so that it can be removed from the creek bed when needed. To address this, our design consists of a wooden staircase that retracts via an archway, pulley, and winch system. The testing of our final prototype was successful, and we were able to retract the structure per the required specifications. While we did have to adjust our design slightly due to testing location constraints, our final design would consist of a permanently cemented steel archway to ensure minimal deflection of the arch when the staircase is retracted.

Based on our calculations, our staircase system had a factor of safety of 1.5 at its weakest point of operation. We would recommend increasing the strength of the pulleys so that a factor of safety of at least 2 could be achieved at all points of operation. While a lower factor of safety is sufficient, to ensure safe, long-term usage, above 2 is ideal. Following the testing of our final prototype, we feel confident in our design and are optimistic that it can serve our sponsor and the community well.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/769