The Steel Bridge Team annually designs, fabricates, and constructs a bridge assembled out of individual, interlocking 3± foot steel sections. The bridge is typically 20± feet long and 3± feet wide. Each individual member must be connected to its adjoining members with fully engaged bolt connections. Ultimately, the bridge must support 2500 lbs. (the weight of an average mid-sized sedan).
Design of the bridge takes place throughout the fall semester. The team fabricates the individual members throughout the winter and spring semesters. They then compete against rival engineering schools throughout the New England Region in terms of visual appeal, self-weight, timed construction speed, and vertical and horizontal stiffness.
The Project Entails:
- Structural Design of a Steel Bridge
- Special Joint and Connection Details
- Shop Drawing and Plan Preparation
- 2D-3D Structural Modeling (SAP2000)
- Controlled Load Testing
- Timed Assembly and Construction Optimization
- Transportation of the Bridge to the Host Location
- Project Management and Construction Control
Get Involved!
To learn more about the Steel Bridge Design Team and find out how you can be involved, contact:
Ethan Hoptkins Steel Bridge Captain
ekhoptkins@umass.edu