What
New England Regional Steel Bridge Competition

When
April 4, 2009
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Tansey Gymnasium
550 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

Information
Students representing civil engineering and civil engineering technology programs from twelve New England colleges will compete in the annual American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)/American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Student Steel Bridge Competition. 

Teams comprised of 10-15 students from each school have been presented a problem statement and guidelines for the construction of a 20-foot long steel bridge.  Students have spent the fall and winter planning their bridges, designing each piece, and cutting and welding steel pieces to make the 20 to 50 components (none longer than 3-1/2 feet) that will make up their bridge.

At the start of the competition, each competing school begins by setting up their bridge for display and aesthetic judging.  The bridges are then taken down to await the next phase - a timed bridge erection constructed by six team members.  Next, the team load tests its bridge to see if it can support 2,500 lbs. and how much it deflects under load.  Bridges are then weighed, and points awarded for lightness.  All of the judged categories are combined to determine the winner and first two runners-up, who will all then compete in May at the national competition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
                                                           
The objective of the competition is to supplement the education of civil engineering students with a comprehensive, student-driven project experience from conception and design through fabrication, erection and testing, culminating in a steel structure that meets client specifications and optimizes performance and economy.

In addition to the team of students from Wentworth, student teams from the following colleges and universities will be participating in the Steel Bridge Competition: Laval University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Merrimack College, Northeastern University, Norwich University, Roger Williams University, Tufts University, University of Connecticut, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of New Hampshire, and University of Vermont.

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founded in 1904, Wentworth Institute of Technology is an independent, co-educational, nationally ranked institution offering career-focused education through 14 bachelor degree programs in areas such as architecture, computer science and systems, construction management, design, engineering, engineering technology, environmental science, and management.  Wentworth is a leader in technical education and well-known for its academic excellence and cooperative education (co-op) program, community service, and support for the economic growth of the region.  For more information, please visit www.wit.edu.