Vukovar

Water Tower
Technical description

Vukovar, June 2022.

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Contents
1. PROJECT TEAM ................................................................................ 3
Students .................................................................................................3
Mentors ..................................................................................................3
Information about the school ................................................................3
2. STATE OF PLAY ................................................................................ 4
3. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 4
4. DESIGNING THE IDEA AND HOW WE DECIDED ON THIS TOPIC .......... 5
5. MATERIAL USED IN THIS PROJECT .................................................... 6
Vukovar Water Tower ............................................................................6
6. THE SUBJECT OF FINAL WORK .......................................................... 6
7. STEPS IN MAKING THIS PROJECT ...................................................... 7
First step ........................................................................................... 7-14
Second step ..........................................................................................15
Third step ....................................................................................... 16-17
8. SCHEMATICS ................................................................................. 18
Vukovar Water Tower ..........................................................................18
9. WASTE DESPOSAL AFTER MODEL DEVELOPMENT .......................... 18
10. MAINTENANCE .............................................................................. 18

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1. Project team
Students:
Hrvoje Sovar
Fran Hutinec
Lara Šijanović
Blanka Bučko

Mentors:
Sanja Pavlović Šijanović
Davor Šijanović

Gymnasium Vukovar
Šamac 2
32000 Vukovar
http://gimnazija-vukovar.skole.hr/

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 2. State of play
3D printer Prusa mini, 4 Arduino kits obtained in the project, 3 DF Robot sensor kits, HRK 2 500.00 financial support
from the project, Alcatel Wi-Fi mobile wireless router and additional equipment delivered in May 2022. Education,
2 workshops and mentoring by ICT experts and programming of the Institute for Youth Development and
Innovation.

Meetings of the project team and division of tasks for the completion of the final work: The “Vukovar water
tower” in the 2021-2022 school year is fully realized, as well as the final appearance and functionality of the
model.

3. Introduction
Vukovar is the city and largest Croatian river port on the Danube, and is the educational, economic, and cultural
center of Vukovar-Srymia county. It is a city with rich cultural heritage, historical heritage, and traditions. It is the
city hero and the city of heroes. Proud of our past and ready for the challenges of the present, we are determined
to be part of all those who pledge the future of the Vukovar!
We therefore decided to create an IoT model of Vukovar water tower that continues to preserve the memories of
brave people from the war in 1991 in an authentic way as well as the message we are sending that Vukovar is a
future-oriented city for everyone who wants to live, work, create, and all those who want to be part of this future.
The Water tower model was printed on a Prusa 3D printer, using a transparent filament for better dispersion of
colors. The combination of direct and virtual online meetings and activities through play, learning and creation
resulted in the creation and presentation of the Vukovar water tower model and its contents completely printed
on the 3D printer. In the project we used equipment obtained from the donor tender “Junior ENGINEER Academy”
as well as funds from the project.

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 4. Designing the idea and how we decided on this
topic
The Vukovar water tower was built in the period from 1963 to 1968, 50.33 meters high and 2200 cubic meters
reservoir capacity with the primary aim of saving water as part of the water supply network. After the completion
of its construction, it was one of the largest buildings of its kind in the entire world.
Today, the water tower is one of the most recognizable symbols of Croatia and it is known as a symbol of Vukovar
defense, defense courage and Croatian unity. For the reconstruction of Vukovar water tower, which was hit with
more than 900 missiles, and which contains as many as 640 visible war wounds, the funds were collected by almost
7,000 donors from all continents, citizens of Croatia and numerous Croatian cities, municipalities, counties, and
companies, including the Vukovar Gymnasium, which together participated in the action “Vukovar water tower - a
symbol of Croatian unity.” On October 30th, 2020, Vukovar water tower was opened to the public after three years
of conservation and renewal.
This project represents a combination of a proud past and a promising future! It preserves the cultural heritage
that gives us and strengthens the sense of identity while promoting respect for cultural diversity and human
creativity.
Through our work and knowledge, we strive to contribute to raising the quality of life of young people in the Vukovar
county and therefore we invite our peers to join us in the process of building a better, greener, more inclusive, and
digital future.
Encouraging children from the youngest days to engage in targeted actions has a major impact on the further
development of their skills and interests. However, developing, programming, and finding solutions to increase
efficiency in daily life systems facing new challenges it becomes a predictor of the development of spacial skills
important for understanding mathematical and engineering concepts which, in combination with Arduino
technology, form a win-win combination. The aim is to encourage students to work with Arduino technologies as
one of the creative ways to acquire new knowledge and skills, moving away from known to unpredictable leads into
new adventures, where we intuitively know that this will intuitively bring us to the desired goal!

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 5. Material used in making this project
Vukovar Water Tower
130 parts printed on 3D printer
Arduino MKR 1000 Wifi (x1)
Arduino MKR1000 carrier board with easyC (x1)
Neopixel WS2812B LED strip IP30 60 leds 1m wPCB (x1)
18650 3400 MAH 3,7 V lithium battery
Casing for lithium battery 18650, for two batteries
Jumper wires 40 pins 30 cm female to male jumper wire (flat cable)
Nuts M3 x 30 mm
Nuts M3 x 6 mm
Hex nut M3 x 30 mm
SODIAL M3
3D printer Prusa Mini+ (x1)
Soldering iron
Stannol HS10 2,5%
Resistor 220 OHM (x1)
Capacitor 1000 uF 50 V (x1)
Plywood beech 4mm (x1)
Artificial grass

6. Subject of final work

More than ever, IoT connectivity allows all types of physical sensors to send data directly to virtual dashboards
without human interaction. However, before the emergence of IoT, there were many types of measuring
devices on the market. Sensors used within an IoT device are designed to detect, measure and report one
variable in real world and time.

The project assignment includes the creation of an IoT model of Vukovar Water Tower which continues to
preserve the memories of brave people from the war in 1991 in an authentic manner as well as the message
we are sending that Vukovar is a future-oriented city for everyone who wants to live, work, create, and all
those who want to be part of this future.

Encouraging children from the youngest days to engage in targeted actions has a major impact on the
further development of their skills and interests. However, developing, programming, and finding solutions
to increase efficiency in daily life systems facing new challenges it becomes a predictor of the development
of spacial skills important for understanding mathematical and engineering concepts which, in combination
with Arduino technology, form a win-win combination.

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The realization of the project task is divided into three steps between May 2022 and June 2022.

The first step involves developing a conceptual design, cutting, and assembling wooden parts of the model
and 3D printing.

The second step involves programming and connecting to Blynk application.

The third step involves fine tuning and preparation for the presentation.

7. Steps in project design

First step

Developing a conceptual design, cutting, and assembling wooden parts of the model and 3D printing

We purchased additional material necessary for the construction of the Vukovar water tower model from
financial support in the project.
The basis for the model is a 4 mm thick beech plywood and plastic parts printed on a 3D printer.

Figure 1 Measurement and marking

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The biggest challenge in the first step is the mapping and precise cutting of the plywood, as there is little room
for errors for this type of material.

Figure 2 Cutting of main wooden elements

Figure 3 Main platform under development

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Figure 4 Basis under development

Figure 5 Precision drilling and marking

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Figure 6 Overview of all wooden elements

Figure 7 Installation of electronic components

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Figure 8 3D print of the water tower

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 Figure 9 All parts used in the project printed on a 3D printer

The water tower model is made of two parts both made of plywood 4 mm. The lower base is 580 x 480 mm,
the upper base is 420 x 310 mm, while the main base is a circular water tower platform 300 mm in diameter.
The bonding and strength of the wooden parts shall be achieved with glue and pneumatic clamping gun.
At the position of the upper surface of the base, a path is placed in the form of decorative stone and artificial
grass which are strengthened with a super glue while at the position of the main platform all functional parts,
fences and artificial grass are placed. Examples can be seen in the images below.

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Figure 10 Installation of a path of decorative tile stone and artificial grass

Figure 11 Installation of artificial grass

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In the first step, in addition to assembling the structural parts, work on soldering is carried out for all necessary
joints where connecting wires, resistors and capacitors are being used. In the first step after joining and
connecting all parts, all components for final appearance shall be placed on both structures and defects shall
be rectified and corrections shall be carried out.

Figure 12 All mounted parts in place and final appearance

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Step 2
Programming
Programming Arduino and connecting electronic components to make everything work perfectly is an
extremely demanding task for anyone, including us. We spent a lot of time working on the principle of trial
and error, but in the end, the best feeling was when we managed to run the program. A particular problem
was to connect Arduino to the Wi-Fi network and run water tower illumination management using the Blynk
application, but we are grateful that we have learned something completely new knowing that moving away
from known to unpredictable leads into new adventures, where we intuitively know that this will intuitively
bring us to the desired goal!

Figure 13 Softver Arduino IDE, where microcontroller codes are programmed

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Step 3

Fine tuning, preparation for presentation and connection to the Internet

The third step is the part that left the greatest impression on us, having the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of
our work.

Figure 14 Blynk and IRIM Wi-Fi connection

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Figure 15 Presentation of illuminated water tower (blue)

Figure 16 Presentation of illuminated water tower (red)

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 8. Schematics
Vukovar Water Tower

Figure 17 Schematics of Adafruit Neopixel LED strip

9. Waste disposal after model development

Waste generated from making a smart farming model is not subject to specific waste management; unless a
problem arises with lithium batteries, such substances are subject to specific physical, chemical or
biodegradation. All waste materials should be disposed of at an appropriate legal disposal site of the waste
material.

10. Maintenance
All elements and parts of a car shall be regularly controlled and maintained. In the event of damage to them
or any part thereof; (housing, construction, main surface, or other item of equipment), repair may be carried
out by replacing the damaged element with only the same original element. The damaged element or part
and, where applicable, the whole housing shall be placed out of use by the required marking and fencing until
repaired. The base of the model should be maintained on a regular basis and, if necessary, renewed over time
only with the material envisaged by the project.

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