Cal Poly on Saturday will host the annual Student Steel Bridge Competition regional finals featuring 18 universities from four Western states. Students will assemble their bridges using power tools and wrenches. There is drama associated with placing the span pieces in the correct order and bolt tightening and as teams work compete against the clock. These students “represent the next generation of civil and environmental engineers,” said Professor Charles Chadwell, the chairman of Cal Poly’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. The competition tests students’ understanding of civil engineering, problem solving and proficiency in fabrication techniques such as welding and machining.
When: 8 a.m. to noon; 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: H-1 parking lot on Mt. Bishop Drive
Directions: Take Cal Poly’s Highland Drive entrance off Highway 1. Turn left (west) on Mt. Bishop. The lot is on the left about a quarter mile from the intersection.
Map: https://maps.calpoly.edu/@35.3040460,-120.6681047,16.5z
More Information: Cal Poly’s chapter of the American Institute of Steel Construction is hosting the event. The steel spans were judged Thursday for aesthetics. Cal Poly’s team is led by project manager Elaina Ryan, a civil engineering senior from Camarillo. She said student teams had to build a steel bridge that is 23 feet long and 43 inches wide based on “a set of design requirements and challenges.” The competition mimics a “real-world” project, with every aspect of the competition converted to dollar amounts. Ultimately, the most cost-effective bridge wins, she said. “They design a bridge to meet these requirements while ensuring that the bridge is light, strong and can be assembled easily,” Ryan said. “The students then fabricate their bridge, and create a construction technique. One of the most important parts of the competition is that the bridge must be able to break down into sections not exceeding 42 inches in length.” Team captains will meet at 7 p.m. to determine Saturday start times for each respective team