Rulebook
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Eligibility All students (undergraduate and graduate) at Memorial University are eligible to apply. Fees $15 per team (3-5 students) |
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Registration Procedures 1. E-mail your team name, member names and contact information (E-mail and cell no.) to csce@mun.ca. 2. The registration is due on Jan 22, 2013. The registered groups will be informed to pay their registration fees (cash only) and take their materials. |
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Materials Basic materials are popsicle sticks and white glue, and they will be provided by the organizer. Wooden toothpicks and dental floss are optional and will be prepared by contestants themselves. |
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Design Parameters Length: 500 mm minimum clear span (unsupported span), 1000 mm maximum overall bridge length (including supports) Width: 75 mm minimum deck width and 180 mm maximum bridge width (at any point) Height: 400 mm maximum A smooth continuous bridge deck for vehicular traffic must be provided along the entire span of the bridge. It must run the entire length of the bridge. The continuous deck must be constructed entirely of wood (i.e. no solid glue decks). Penalty: –25 points for a nonconforming deck. This penalty is particularly severe, since a road bridge without a deck is rather pointless. The slope of the deck must not exceed 6% (height difference of 30mm over the minimum 500mm span). Penalty: –5 points for deck slope over 6%. Penalty: – 25 points deduction for a bridge over 6kg. The bridge should have a loading point at the centre of the bridge that allows a hydraulic jack with a minimum cross sectional area of 100x100 mm to apply the load safely on that point. No external anchorage of the piers is permitted. IF ANY OF THESE CONSTRAINTS ARE NOT MET, POINT DEDUCTIONS OR DISQUALIFICATION MAY BE IMPOSED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. These rules are intended to be complete, but the discretion of the Committee is reserved at all times. |
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Bridge Evaluation Procedures Aesthetics and Originality of the Design A&O 10 POINTS To be assessed by the judges (faculty and professionals) and awarded points as they see fit, up to a maximum of 10 points. Ultimate Load Carrying Capacity Fu 40 POINTS The ultimate load capacity of the bridge will be evaluated at the point of failure by a point load at mid-span, distributed by a minimum of 100mm by 100mm plate 40 points will be awarded to the team with largest ultimate load capacity, and the remaining teams will be awarded points based on their bridge’s ultimate load capacity as a percentage of the previously stated largest ultimate load capacity. The bridge is considered failed when: 1. The vertical deflection at the mid span exceeds 50mm, or 2. Any member or joint fails. Predicted Ultimate Load Carrying Capacity Fu,p 25 POINTS The error in prediction of the ultimate load carrying capacity will be calculated by the following equation:
where Fu,p Predicted Ultimate Load in kg Fu Ultimate load attained in competition in kg 25 points will be awarded to the team with the lowest error, and zero point to the team with the highest error, and all others will be awarded points based on linear interpolation between these two extremes. Structural Efficiency ηs 25 POINTSThe structural efficiency will be calculated by the following equation: ηs = Fu / m where Fu is the ultimate load m is the dead weight of the bridge 25 points will be awarded to the team with the highest score in this category, and all others will be awarded points based on their structural efficiency as a fraction of the highest score. |
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Awards 1. Prize money: Champion will receive prize money of $150, 1st runner up will receive $100, and 2nd runner up will receive $50. 2. Certificates for each participating group. 3. The Champion group may obtain the chance of representing MUN to participate the National Troisky Bridge Building Competition. |