College of Engineering & Mines

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UND Steel Bridge Team takes home honors at regional competition

Group of students stand next to scaled bridge model
The UND team’s achievement demonstrates the strength of UND’s engineering program and its commitment to fostering innovation and practical skills among its students. Photo courtesy of Daba Gedafa.

Students rank regionally in construction speed, lightness, and construction economy

The University of North Dakota College of Engineering & MinesStudent Steel Bridge Competition Team has placed second in Construction Economy, first place in Lightness, and first place in Construction Speed at the Western Great Lake Student Steel Bridge Competition.

This regional competition is part of the National Student Steel Bridge Competition — an event partnered by the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Steel Construction — which challenges students to apply their classroom knowledge to a practical and hands-on steel-design project that fosters innovation and builds professional relationships between students and industry professionals.

Sattar Dorafshan

Led by advisor Sattar Dorafshan, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, the UND team’s design and construction process faced the challenge of building a scaled steel bridge that would serve as a hypothetical crossing in the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. The bridge had to support the weight of pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians, as well as maintenance and park vehicles — all while respecting the existing habitat.

The team’s success at the competition demonstrates their hard work and dedication, as well as Dr. Dorafshan’s ability to lead them to victory in his first year as their advisor.

“It was great seeing our students getting so excited and proud of their accomplishment,” said Sattar. “We have a great team of younger students in the chapter who I suspect are going to keep improving UND’s design to get better.”

Sattar praises everyone on the team for their hard work and effort. “All credit should go to Erik Wilken, the current president of the ASCE chapter, Domenic Marchetti, the Steel Bridge Team captain, and the rest of the team, of course.”

The student group’s achievement also highlights the strength of UND’s engineering program and its commitment to fostering innovation and practical skills among its students. The Steel Bridge Team’s success at the competition solidifies UND as a leader in civil engineering. It is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication and the strength of UND’s engineering program.

 

Written by Paige Prekker  //  UND College of Engineering & Mines