The design process begins by arranging brainstorming sessions, which transitions into the structural analysis of potential designs.
As more ideas are finalized, design review meetings are held with Steel Bridge’s Faculty Mentor to ensure our chosen designs are functional while meeting requirements.
The design process begins by arranging brainstorming sessions, which transitions into the structural analysis of potential designs.
All of the team's hard work culminates at the annual ASCE Student Symposium usually held in the spring. Once the design and construction of the bridge are finalized and completed, a build team of around five Steel Bridge members is assembled. Typically, only the build team travels to participate in the regional competition.
On the day of the competition, the assembled bridges are subjected to various load tests, which assess the bridges' strength, stability, and durability. The load tests are meant to simulate real-world conditions, such as a heavy truck passing over the bridge. Then, a panel of judges, which may include practicing engineers, evaluates the bridges based on several criteria, including the design, construction, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of the bridge.
