Comments on: Weaponry: The Trebuchet http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:14:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: johnb http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm/comment-page-1#comment-60076 johnb Sun, 10 May 2009 20:24:33 +0000 #comment-60076 Mike your figures are approximate but essentially correct. If you look at many sites that give you construction details on the throwing arm you will see that it is built up of many beams to give the required tensional (breaking) resistance at the pivot point. This is not particularly difficult. nor is constructing the frame usually six strong supporting columns, augured in to 2 horizontal ground beams on the bottom and and 2 short apex beams at the top that are made with a semi circular notch for the axle. since iron was scarce and expensive this saddle bearing may or may not have been one of the few places it was used. where it was definitely used was on the hinge of the counter weight bucket, because the supporting arms were in tension with the weight concentrated on the ends in a small area by the pivot axle. without a heavy strap of wrought iron over each side of the axle beam it is difficult to see how this pivot joint would be made. as for the pivot axles a 12 inch diameter heart of oak beam would suffice. JJB Mike your figures are approximate but essentially correct. If you look at many sites that give you construction details on the throwing arm you will see that it is built up of many beams to give the required tensional (breaking) resistance at the pivot point. This is not particularly difficult. nor is constructing the frame usually six strong supporting columns, augured in to 2 horizontal ground beams on the bottom and and 2 short apex beams at the top that are made with a semi circular notch for the axle. since iron was scarce and expensive this saddle bearing may or may not have been one of the few places it was used. where it was definitely used was on the hinge of the counter weight bucket, because the supporting arms were in tension with the weight concentrated on the ends in a small area by the pivot axle. without a heavy strap of wrought iron over each side of the axle beam it is difficult to see how this pivot joint would be made. as for the pivot axles a 12 inch diameter heart of oak beam would suffice. JJB

]]> By: Mike http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm/comment-page-1#comment-45297 Mike Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:57:39 +0000 #comment-45297 Simply put, to toss a ton on a 5 to 1 trebuchet (throwing arm is 5 times the length of the weight arm) would require 5 tons or more of counterweight. Is it possible: 1.) to have a timber or timbers that are strong enough to have 5 tons on one end and 1 ton on the other end without breaking in a static position; 2.) to build a supporting structure that would not collapse due to 6 tons of material being put in motion; 3.) to have a sling made of leather, rope or some other organic material that could hold 5 tons? The original information for the tossing a one ton stone would have to be looked at somewhat skeptically given the materials of the time. Maybe a structural engineer could comment on the validity of the questions I am asking. Simply put, to toss a ton on a 5 to 1 trebuchet (throwing arm is 5 times the length of the weight arm) would require 5 tons or more of counterweight. Is it possible: 1.) to have a timber or timbers that are strong enough to have 5 tons on one end and 1 ton on the other end without breaking in a static position; 2.) to build a supporting structure that would not collapse due to 6 tons of material being put in motion; 3.) to have a sling made of leather, rope or some other organic material that could hold 5 tons?

The original information for the tossing a one ton stone would have to be looked at somewhat skeptically given the materials of the time.

Maybe a structural engineer could comment on the validity of the questions I am asking.

]]> By: Chris http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm/comment-page-1#comment-35452 Chris Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:03:40 +0000 #comment-35452 Correct me if I'm wrong, but the heaviest trebuchet ever was supposed to have thrown 1,500 kg projectiles. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the heaviest trebuchet ever was supposed to have thrown 1,500 kg projectiles.

]]> By: Nick Wood http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm/comment-page-1#comment-21135 Nick Wood Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:19:28 +0000 #comment-21135 The author's source: Regarding the details mentioned - the statistic quoted is from the journal article "The Invention of the Counterweight Trebuchet: A Study in Cultural Diffusion" by Paul E. Chevedden, published in Vol. 54 of the Dumbarton Oaks Papers, from Harvard University Press. "... during the 14th century there are reports of counterweight trebuchets that launched stones weighing between 900 and 1200 kilograms" (a kg being 2.2 lbs., that's 1,980 and 2,640 lbs.). The author’s source: Regarding the details mentioned – the statistic quoted is from the
journal article “The Invention of the Counterweight Trebuchet: A Study
in Cultural Diffusion” by Paul E. Chevedden, published in Vol. 54 of
the Dumbarton Oaks Papers, from Harvard University Press. “… during
the 14th century there are reports of counterweight trebuchets that
launched stones weighing between 900 and 1200 kilograms” (a kg being
2.2 lbs., that’s 1,980 and 2,640 lbs.).

]]> By: J Call http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm/comment-page-1#comment-20663 J Call Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:17:49 +0000 #comment-20663 Swild has a point. A ton is equal to 2000 pounds! Swild has a point. A ton is equal to 2000 pounds!

]]> By: swild http://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-trebuchet.htm/comment-page-1#comment-18710 swild Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:34:31 +0000 #comment-18710 "Hurling stones weighing nearly a ton"? I don't think so. Even the Warwolf, supposedly the largest trebuchet in history, through stones of about 300 pounds. A trebuchet launching vehicle sized rocks would've been ridiculous. “Hurling stones weighing nearly a ton”? I don’t think so. Even the Warwolf, supposedly the largest trebuchet in history, through stones of about 300 pounds. A trebuchet launching vehicle sized rocks would’ve been ridiculous.

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