Wooden tower structure on small scale

[Hightower]

I'm building a tower for Science Olympia and they judge it by dividing how much weight it can hold by how much it ways. This tower must be made of wood so I have chosen bass wood because it is light and the grain is close together wich is more suitable for a small scale project. My question is what sort of technique should be used to build this small tower. It can be held together only by glue. Perhaps maybe someone could give me some ideas?

-Hightower

 

[Ron]

Need more info as to direction of loads it will resist, for example, if it is to be like a telecommunications tower, it must resist both tension and compression in the legs; however, if it is a derrick tower, generally compression loads in the legs will control. Tower configuration should be trussed so that only axial loads are developed. Glue joints won't work well in tension, so try to develop some type of mechanical joint (wooden pegs)or slot connections to increase the glue bond area. Good luck!