E-mail James Torres at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be added to the steel bridge e-mail list.
 |
 |
 |
|
| A member cuts a bar for use in the steel bridge. |
Civil Engineering students are challenged to an inter-collegiate competition that includes design, fabrication, and construction. Participating students gain practical experience in structural design, fabrication processes, construction planning, organization, and teamwork.
The Challenge
A century-old bridge that spans a river and adjacent floodway must be replaced. Any appropriate type of bridge will be considered but the DOT has specified steel as the material because of its durability, fast erection, and high level of recycled content. Clearance under the bridge must be provided for passage of floods. Due to environmental concerns, construction of permanent piers is permitted only on the existing footings.
Initial Stages
Preparation for the steel bridge competition consists of three phases: design, fabrication, and construction. The design stage generally occurs during fall quarter, with some fabrication taking place around winter break. This consists of cutting, sanding, welding, and drilling the steel. Quality fabrication is vital because the actual elements of the bridge will not have the precise measurements given in the design specifications, but they must be close enough to assure that the bridge's behavior will not deviate to far from the designed expectations. Once fabrication is completed, construction practice will begin, generally towards the end of winter quarter.
Scoring Criteria
Standards for strength, durability, constructability, usability, functionality, and safety reflect the volumes of regulations that govern the design and construction of full-scale bridges. Criteria for excellence are represented by the award categories of stiffness, lightness, construction speed, display, efficiency and economy.
The above text was distilled from the 2007 Student Steel Bridge Competition rulebook.