Colorado State University Hosts National Steel Bridge Competition

Colorado State University will host a national competition May 22-23 that challenges civil engineering students to build the best steel bridges.

The 1998 National Student Steel Bridge Competition will bring 400 engineering students from 39 teams across the country to Colorado State. Teams will compete to construct steel bridges 20 feet long that must carry at least 2,500 pounds.

Students will set up bridges for aesthetic judging from 4-6 p.m. May 22 in the parking lot of University Park Holiday Inn, 425 W. Prospect Road. In conjunction with the event, Colorado State’s College of Engineering invites alumni and friends to a social from 5-8 p.m. at the University Park Holiday Inn.

On May 23 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., each bridge will be set up on the Lory Student Center Plaza and loaded with 2,500 pounds. An awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. at the University Park Holiday Inn. Prizes will be given to teams based on best construction, fastest construction time, lightest bridge, most economic bridge, stiffest bridge, most efficient construction, aesthetics and best overall performance.

"This competition gives students a great opportunity to learn about real-world construction," said Jason Ullman, event chairman and engineering student at Colorado State. "The engineering students are judged in much the same way they would be if working in actual practice."

Major sponsors of the competition are the American Institute of Steel Construction, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Steel Bridge Alliance, the American Iron and Steel Institute and the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation. Other sponsors are Chaparral Steel, Rocky Mountain Steel Construction Association and numerous engineering alumni.

For more information, contact Ullman at (970) 491-7899.