(Top photo) Structural Mechanics Laboratory student group members and judges
(Bottom photo) Architecture & Structural Engineering Laboratory student group members
Student groups from the Structural Mechanics, Kobayashi Laboratory (Professor KOBAYASHI Masahito) and the Architecture & Structural Engineering Laboratory (Associate Professor TOMIZAWA Tetsuya) in the Department of Architecture, School of Science and Technology, participated in the JSCA Popsicle Tower Contest 2025 held by the Japan Structural Engineers Association (JSCA) on November 29 at Nihon University Faculty of Science and Engineering Surugadai Campus, winning the Most Popular Award and the Elegant Award.
This contest challenges participants to build a one-meter-tall tower using commercially available ice cream sticks, competing on both earthquake resistance and design. The Most Popular Award goes to the work that receives the most votes by participating teams and visitors, and the Elegant Award is presented to a work that combines strength and beauty. Among participants, including structural design experts from companies, the works by students from this university were recognized.
The recipient of the Most Popular Award was “Ruru,” created by OKAMURA Chinatsu, TSUCHIYA Keijiro, MIYAJIMA Koki (all 4th-year students, School of Science and Technology), and ADACHI Masaki (2nd-year student in the Master’s Course, Graduate School of Science and Technology). Gently woven popsicle sticks draw out the wood’s inherent flexibility and warmth, with a structure designed to absorb vibrational energy into its spiral form.
Most Popular Award “Ruru”
The Elegant Award was given to “H-Wooden Tower,” created by Jo TAKEDA Jo and HARA Aoba (both 2nd-year students in the Master’s Course, Graduate School of Science and Technology), NOZUE Ryusei (1st-year student in the Master’s Course, Graduate School of Science and Technology), YAMAGUCHI Koki (4th-year student, School of Science and Technology), and ITO Kasumi (2nd-year student in the Master’s Course, School of Science and Technology). By replicating an H-shaped steel section with popsicle sticks, significant reduction in torsion and high seismic performance were achieved, resulting in a tower with a high slenderness ratio and a pure moment-resisting frame structure.
Elegant Award “H-Wooden Tower”
Both laboratories are engaged in research and development on seismic isolation and vibration control for buildings, as well as the creation of new structural design methods. The students have cultivated design capabilities that balance seismic resistance and aesthetic appeal through repeated advanced vibration experiments and structural analysis. The results of these research activities led to these awards.
Both laboratories will continue to advance their research activities, aiming to realize buildings that combine beauty and comfort with safety and security.
Both laboratories will continue to advance their research activities, aiming to realize buildings that combine beauty and comfort with safety and security.