Hawaii Section

PGF2014

STUDENT OUTREACHPopsicle Stick Bridge

CompetitionSeptember 22, 2014

Glenn MiyasatoASCE Hawaii Section

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

What is it? Annual competition between teams of middle

school students Part of University of Hawaii Engineering Expo Teams provided with the following items:

Popsicle Sticks Elmer’s Glue Rules (Design and Construction Criteria)

The challenge: Build a bridge with the greatest strength to weight

ratio Present the team’s design and construction

process

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Our Goals Inspire students to pursue a career in civil

engineering Promote teamwork, technical growth and

communication skills Foster interaction between students/teachers

and CE community Provide activity engaging the student chapter,

YMF and section

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Competition Rules Up to four members per team Can enter only one bridge Must do a presentation More in rules handout >

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Bridge Building Rules - Materials

4½ by 3/8 by 1/12 inch popsicle sticks

3 - 4 oz. bottles of Elmer’s Glue-All

Joints can only be glued

Pinned and slotted joints are not allowed

Total weight cannot exceed 1 pound 4 oz.

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Bridge Building Rules - Dimensions

2 ft min span Width: 4” to 5½” Height: 3½”to 5” No part of the bridge below deck level 3 by 3½ inch block must pass through

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Bridge Dimensions Sketch

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Testing Devices to Meet Specifications

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Planning/Improvements: March through December

Purchase Materials: August (back to school sales)

Notify Teachers: September (fundraising) Mail out Materials: December Competition: March

Annual Schedule

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Competition Day Registration: 9:00 a.m. (40 teams maximum) Presentations: 9:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Load Testing: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Teams rotate through 5 station checks Only students allowed in presentation/load test

areas

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Competition Area

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Station 1: Registration

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Station 2: Photo

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Station 3: Presentation

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

The Presentation Team makes 5-10 minute oral presentation prior

to load test Presentation includes the following items:

How was the bridge design (shape of truss) chosen What was the most difficult part of designing the

bridge What was the most difficult part of building the bridge What is the expected behavior (which members in

tension, compression) What they learned from the design and construction

process What they learned from the competition

3 to 4 pairs of judges (preferably SEs) judge each team

Judges ask questions and fill out score card with criteria

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Judges Scorecard

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Team Presentations

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Station 4: Dimension Check/Weigh-In

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Station 5: Load Test

Previous

Current

Bridges span to steel load test frames

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Centering the Bridge Loading Bar Load applied with 2 inch wide steel bar Loading bar straddles the bridge centerline at

deck level Bridge must be constructed to accommodate loading bar

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Loading Steel weights and

sand are loaded into container by YMF and student chapter

Sand is loaded into container at a slow rate by Team

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Fail! Bridge “fails” when load container touches ground

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Fail?

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Fail?

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Lean

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Fail!

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Results and Awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards are given for

Highest load carrying capacity to weight ratio Best Presentation

2014 Best Presentation Mililani Middle

(A 3D Bridge) Central Middle

(Infinite) Molokai Middle

(Rastafaris)

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

2014 Load Test Results

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

BudgetPopsicle Bridge Building Contest

$850.00 40 teams

New equipment, replacements and repairs

$250.00 Bridge checking tools; replacement signs (does not include safety glasses and load test frames)

Popsicle Sticks $260.00

Elmer's Glue $270.00

Copies of Rules $70.00

Shipping Boxes $0.00 Free from USPS

Postage $0.00 UH to cover costs

Registration Materials $0.00 Donated by Akinaka

Certificate Paper and Ink $0.00 Donated by KAI Hawaii

Trophies $0.00 UH to cover costs

Delineators/Ribbon $0.00 Donated by GP Roadway Solutions

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Highlights Creative

presentations Real time posting of

load test results on screen

Team loading and recognition during load test

Audience enthusiasm and excitement during load test

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Future Improvements Follow up with

teacher/principals to fuel enthusiasm

Notify teachers in a timely manner

Encourage media publicity

Visit schools to assist students/teachers with the project

Review competition criteria for improvements

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Our Committee Jon Young, Outreach Chair

(HAPI) Joni Tanimoto, Registration

(Akinaka & Associates) Eric Tomishima, Load Test

(Iwamoto & Associates) Mike Hunneman, Presentation

(KAI Hawaii, Inc.)

Hawaii Section

PGF2014

Thank You