The University of Akron The Department of Civil Engineering
29th Annual High School Model Bridge Competition February 23rd, 2013 REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 9:00 AM
SCENARIO The Department of Transportation (DOT) has posted a Request for Information (RFI) for a new bridge design to be built across a local waterway. You have been given the prestigious assignment to represent your company in this design, build and test competition. The DOT requires that the design be submitted in the form of a scale model, made completely of balsa wood and model glue to be provided in a standard kit. In order for the DOT to feel that your design meets the strength criteria, your models must be capable of holding a minimum of 10 pounds. The DOT has decided that it will award the contract (in the form of a prize) to the most structurally efficient design that is presented. Also, all designs submitted will be reviewed by the DOT for aesthetics. The most aesthetically pleasing design will also be given an architectural award (also a prize). Each design model that is submitted must meet all criteria presented in the specifications attached.
DEFINITIONS o Deck(1) - The roadway portion of a bridge, including shoulders. o Decking Support – The structure which defines the area upon which the decking will be placed on the full size bridge design (sometimes referred to as Roadbed in these requirements)
o Laminated Joints - A laminated joint is any joined members running in parallel which 2 pieces of paper cannot to be passed between them
o
Member/Part
(1)
– An individual angle, beam plate or built piece intended to become an integral part of an
assembled frame or structure.
o i.e,. Any length of balsa wood affixed to the model bridge.
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o
Superstructure
(1)
– The superstructure consists of the components that actually span the obstacle the
bridge is intended to cross.
o Truss(2) – A structure comprising one or more (roughly) triangular units constructed with (typically) straight members whose ends are connected at joints.
o Bridge Centerline – The line spanning along the bridge’s length which divides the roadbed into two equal widths.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS The bridge’s primary purpose will be to provide a clear passage for vehicles across the waterway. You will be designing and building the superstructure which will provide the support for a standard DOT decking design. For this contest, the DOT approved decking will be a simulated by square metal plate supplied by the judges at the testing stand.
Simulated Roadway The design must provide a continuous clear passage of a minimum 2" wide and 2" high (Schematic 1) for the entire length of the deck support area. A simulated decking surface will be used to apply the load onto the deck support section of the model bridge. The load will be applied by hanging a weight box on one end of a ¼” rod and the other end bolted through the center of the simulated decking surface (Schematic 3). To accommodate the load, a 1/2" x 1/2" opening SHALL be set in the center of the bridge design to provide clearance for the weight box to hang. To improve safety for travelers in slippery conditions, the decking support elevation should be a consistent height throughout the length of the bridge.
Bridge Structural Design Bridge designs are limited to the following design elements to control bridge construction cost.
•
Main Trusses - Limited to a maximum of 4. These design elements contain all of the members which run along the length of the bridge. Each Main Truss must be a planar design and no wider than 1 stick of balsa wood. Each plane which is defined by a Main Truss SHALL be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to the bridge centerline.
•
Cross Bracing - Members which add lateral stability to the bridge structure. Cross bracing members are contained in (any number of) planes which are perpendicular to the ground and perpendicular to the bridge center line. Refer to Schematic 2 for permitted cross bracing connections.
•
Other Members – Members which do not meet the requirements of Main Truss and Cross Bracing. “Other Members” individually SHALL NOT exceed 5” in length and the TOTAL SUMMED lengths of “Other Members” SHALL NOT exceed 10”.
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Joint Design Joint design is a critical part of any bridge design, see Schematic 2 for guidance. Additional clarification is as follows.
•
Laminated Joints/Members SHALL NOT be used:
•
Glue Usage: Due to the surface preparation and chemicals involved during full size bridge construction glue will be an expensive portion of the full size bridge. Excessive glue use (a.k.a., Glue Globbing) will not be allowed as it is considered a wasteful practice.
•
Split Members: Split Members SHALL not be permitted.
•
Mortis and Tendon Joints: are a permitted joining technique.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES I. Structural Efficiency - Build a model bridge according to the following specifications with the greatest efficiency calculated by the following equation:
Efficiency = (maximum weight supported) / (weight of bridge)
1. The bridge will be tested for MAXIMUM weight supported (e.g. when the bridge breaks we stop adding weight).
2. A minimum 10 pound initial load must be sustained by any bridge entrant to be eligible for any prizes with the exception of “Most Aesthetic”.
3. If the bridge fails immediately when the initial 10 pounds are added, the weight that the bridge supported will be recorded as 1 pound.
II. Aesthetics – Build the most visually pleasing structural form.
1. Ties will not be awarded in this category. Scores will not be given, only rank. 2. The judges will be looking for neat workmanship, clean lines, and overall structural creativity. MATERIALS 1. The ONLY materials allowed in this competition are the ten (10) ⅛ ” x ⅛ ” x 36 ” Balsa wood pieces and one 5/8 oz. tube of wood cement provided in the bridge kit. *Slight variation in cross-section area of wood may occur due to manufacturing allowances.
2. Any constructed bridges exceeding the total weight of the above materials will be disqualified. 3. All unused materials must accompany the bridge entrant at the competition to show that no other materials were used, and for any last minute adjustments the judges may find necessary.
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4. DO NOT paint or apply any other chemicals to coat the wood surface; non-compliance of this rule will cause disqualification.
5. Each contestant must provide their own tools for building the bridges. Recommended tools include: SAFETY GLASSES, ruler, safety razors, pins, a saw, X-Acto knife, etc.
DIMENSIONS 1. Schematic 1 provides an Elevation and a Cross Section of the allowable bridge envelope. The submitted bridge need not fill the envelope, but also SHALL not be less than the minimum required dimensions. 2. Schematic 4 provides an Isometric View of the elevation as additional information.
3. 2” by 2” object, representing vehicle traffic, must be able to pass freely above the decking support (roadbed). Students do not need to provide decking, only an accessible decking support surface (roadbed).
4. A 2” by 2” decking plate, which is used to load your bridge, must fit into (Truss style) or on top of (Beam style) your bridge and decking support (roadbed). Your bridge must have a minimum ½” x ½” opening between the members to provide clearance for the ¼” diameter rod extending from load plate. See Schematic 3 for additional guidance.
5. Any bridge not conforming to these dimensions will be required to be altered or be disqualified. CONTEST PROCEDURE 1. Study the Information Packet provided with the bridge kit. 2. Build your bridge according to the rules, using the checklist as a guide. 3. Come to the University of Akron, Shrank Hall South (see map), on February 23rd, 2013. Registration begins at 9:00 AM.
4. Don’t forget your leftover building materials, as well as your copy of the rules in case a repair is needed on the day of the competition. Judges may request a repair if your bridge has a minor rule infraction.
a. You will have up until 15 minutes before the start of the ASCE Chapter Presentations to complete any required changes. (Hint: On time arrival will provide the entrant maximum rework opportunities)
5. Register your bridge at the Registration desk in Shrank Hall South Lobby. Direction signs will be posted for your convenience.
a. Register according to your last name. b. Your bridge will be taken to the judging area for Compliance and Aesthetics Judging. 6. Presentations and Bridge loading will begin at 10:30 AM
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7. Before your bridge is load tested, the number on your registration card will be called. When your number is called, you may come up to the testing area to watch your bridge being tested. During the procedure, all bridges will be destroyed, so you may want to bring a camera.
8. While waiting for the testing to begin and waiting for your results, you are welcome to enjoy the refreshments provided.
JUDGES 1. Volunteer judges from local engineering firms will inspect all bridge entries for conformance to the competition rules.
2. Alterations to your bridge may be required at the competition for fairness to all participants. If all rules are carefully followed, problems should not arise.
3. Decisions by the judges will be FINAL. COMPETITION LOCATION The University of Akron Schrank Hall South:
o For driving directions, visit: http://www.uakron.edu/resources/campusMap/drivingDirections.php o For a Campus map, visit: http://www.uakron.edu/resources/campusMap/index.php?section=Main and type “Schrank” in the search box.
Sources 1) http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Communications/BridgingtheGap/Pages/BridgeTermDefinitions.aspx 2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truss 3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deck_(bridge) 4) http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm
EXTRA INFORMATION AND CLARIFICATIONS o For general questions about the contest or rule clarifications, email: Mark Floro at
[email protected]. Clarifications to contest rules will be emailed to all instructors. Please check back regularly to ensure you do not miss these. Contestants will be held responsible for knowing and understanding rules posted. All clarification questions must be submitted two weeks prior to competition.
o All clarifications will be answered at least one week prior to competition. o ALL Bridges will be broken.
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rd
See you February 23 Good Luck!
Mark Floro, ASCE Student Chapter Vice President The University of Akron ASCE Student Chapter
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CHECKLIST
___________Overall Length ___________Overall Width ___________Overall Height ___________Roadbed Length ___________Roadbed Width ___________Roadbed Height ___________Traffic Envelope Provided ___________Under Hang Length ___________Under Hang Height ___________Total Full Length Trusses ___________No Laminations or Splitting ___________Joints follow the defined rules.
**Arrive on time and bring leftover supplies and tools for repairs**
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C7 96 Gas Turbine Testing Facility GTTF E7 45 Mary Gladwin Hall MGH E6 40 Goodyear Polymer Center GDYR F2 8 Grounds Maintenance GMB E5 28 Guzzetta Hall GH G5 91 Honors Complex HC I3 6 Hower House HOW I9 99 InfoCision Stadium/Summa Field ICS E6 44 Knight Chemical Laboratory KNCL H6 52 Kolbe Hall KO G6 51 Leigh Hall LH F2 7 100 Lincoln Street Building LINC J4 18 Martin University Center PMUC D5 27 McDowell Law Center LAW F3 3 National Polymer Innovation Center NPIC J7 65 Ocasek Natatorium ONAT I5 34 Olin Hall OLIN E3 10 Olson Research Center OLRC K7 103 Parking Deck East PDE F4 23 Parking Deck North PDN D8 102 Parking Deck South PDS E4 13 Physical Facilities Operations Center PFOC E3 12 Polymer Engineering Academic Center PEAC
A4 22 Polsky Building POL I6 56 James A. Rhodes Health and Physical Education Building JAR G2 94 Roadway Building RDWY F5 29 Robertson Dining Hall RD E7 62 Schrank Hall North SHN E8 63 Schrank Hall South SHS C5 24 277 South Broadway Street Building BROD H1 1 32 South College Street Building SUP G4 92 Simmons Hall SI I5 31 Stitzlein Alumni Center AAC I7 89 Student Recreation and Wellness Center SRWC G7 60 Student Union STUN E3 9 Thermal Storage Tank TANK C6 68 The University of Akron Engineering Research Center AERC E4 21 E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall PAH G3 14 Trecaso Building TRE D2 98 Quaker Square QSQR B5 104 West Campus Parking Deck WCPD D5 41 West Hall WEST E6 46 Whitby Hall WHIT G6 50 Zook Hall ZOOK
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Fraternities and Sororities
F5 37 Bulger Residence Hall BRH C8 97 Exchange Street Residence Hall EXC C9 83 Gallucci Residence Hall GALL E10 86 Garson Residence Hall GARS D10 85 Grant Residence Center High-rise GRC G5 91 Honors Complex HC G5 30 Orr Residence Hall ORH G6 36 Ritchie Residence Hall RRH F5 39 Sisler-McFawn Residence Hall SMRH D9 103 South Hall SH F5 38 Spanton Residence Hall SRH J9 100 Spicer Residence Hall SPR D9 82 Townhouses TOWN D2 98 Quaker Square Inn QSI
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