CONCRETE CANOE
 The TeamTaken at University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign where the 2014 ASCE Great Lakes Region Conference was hosted. |  Dazzle Camouflage |
|---|---|
 Concrete CylindersTesting played a large role in the process of building CaNUflage. Research on concrete properties and the effects of admixtures was incorporated into mixing and cylinders were tested for optimal strength without sacrificing density. |  Form Construction |
 Form Construction |  Completed FormThe hull of CaNUflage was thinner and shallower than that of Purple Line. These were decisions made by the project management team based of canoe hull design research done during the year. |
 Project Management TeamTaken after a successful casting day. Featuring fellow Project Managers Derek Cheah ('14) and Meg Gates ('14). |  SandingThe team concentrated a lot of effort into sanding and finishing this year. The top of CaNUflage was sanded down to create a nice smooth and flat finish. |
 SandingTo create a clean smooth finish, sandpaper was also used to reach less linear parts of the canoe. |  StainingTo create the dazzle camouflage effect, painters tape was used to block out sections that would be stained white. |
 CaNUflage on the WaterTaken at UIUC during Men's Sprint races. |
Maximum Length: 20 ft
Maximum Depth: 13.5 in
Maximum Width: 29 in
Hull Thickness: 9/16 (.5625) in
Weight: 316 lbs
What happens when one combines marine transportation, Cubist art, and the need for concealment? The answer is dazzle camouflage, a technique incorporated into many maritime fleets throughout the First and Second World Wars. Unlike other forms of camouflage meant to hide a body among the elements of its surrounding environment, the goal of dazzle is to confuse those looking upon it by using contrasting geometric patterns and colors. CaNUflage was Northwestern's third canoe and most innovative yet with intensive mix design, thorough hull modifications, and increased efficiency in casting. The dazzle camouflage theme signified the fast-paced improvements the team had made and how its competition never saw it coming. CaNUflage attained 5th place at conference in 2014.