The bridge-building challenge has been thrown down and accepted by hundreds of engineering students across the country. Regional competitions--17 in all, involving around 2,500 students on approximately 200 school bridge teams--will soon be under way for this year's annual Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC), sponsored by AISC. Forty teams, comprised of the top few finishers from the regional competitions, will move on to the 2019 National Finals.
The annual competition challenges student teams to design and fabricate a scale-model steel bridge, then assemble it as quickly as possible; the bridges are also load tested and weighed. Each bridge must span approximately 20 ft, carry 2,500 lb and meet all other specifications of the competition rules. Bridges are judged not only on the structural requirements and construction speed, but also on aesthetics and economy.
Regional events will be held through March and April at the following schools:
- South Dakota State University (March 22-23)
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (March 28-29)
- Louisiana Tech University (March 29)
- George Mason University (March 29-30)
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (April 5-6)
- North Carolina State University (April 5-6)
- University of Colorado at Boulder (April 5-6)
- Saint Martin's University (April 12)
- University of Oklahoma (April 12)
- University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (April 12)
- University of Maine (April 12-13)
- Valparaiso University (April 12-13)
- The University of Akon (April 13)
- University of Michigan (April 13)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (April 19-20)
- University of Texas at San Antonio (April 26-27)
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (April 27)
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., will host the finals for the first time, on May 31 and June 1. Every year, the competition is exciting and inspiring, and we invite you to join us for the 2019 edition!
Click here for more information on the competition, including forthcoming details on volunteer opportunities at the regional events.