Drexel University’s student engineering team competed at the 2012 National Student Steel Bridge Competition (NSSBC) May 24 to 25 placing thirty-second out of a total of 48 teams that attended and 198 bridges that competed nationally.
This year, the team was able to create an optimal structure, 23’-0” long and weighing only 170 pounds under timed conditions, posting a time of 9:34:20. The bridge was attached to strain gauges and loaded with 2500 pounds to measure its stiffness and it deflected less than 1.1”.
Drexel's team performed in the categories of display, construction speed, economy, stiffness, and overall at the competition placing fifth, fifteenth, seventeenth, twenty-sixth and thirty-second. Their success was achieved with the collaboration of faculty advisors, professional staff and the dedication displayed by the student members who designed the idea and constructed the winning bridge.
The team will compete again next year, with hopes of earning their fifth invitation to the national competition, to be hosted by the University of Washington in 2013. For more information on this year’s competition results, click here. For a preview of the 2013 national competition, click here.