UND’s Steel Bridge Team places among best in nation
After placing in the top 3 in all categories at the regional competition, the team represented UND amongst the top teams in the nation
[ Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on the College of Engineering & Mines Blog on April 9, 2024, and was later updated and republished to reflect details about the team’s participation in the national tournament. ]
Competing against formidable opponents from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Ontario, the UND Steel Bridge Competition Team proved their prowess at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Western Great Lakes Regional Competition, securing their ticket to the coveted National Finals.
And their report card was indeed something to write home about. Categories to place in at Steel Bridge Competition include cost estimation, stiffness, structural efficiency, and aesthetics. The UND team took home first, second, second, and third in each category, respectively.
And as a bonus, this year, the team took first in a secret fifth category: concrete cornhole.
With an impressive overall performance, the UND Steel Bridge Team clinched the third position overall, reflecting their comprehensive excellence across diverse criteria.
“It is good to come back to our more spring-like weather in Grand Forks,” said Dr. Sattar Dorafshan, the team’s advisor, upon their return to campus. “The students did a fantastic job representing our department, college, and our university and deserve pretty much all the recognition and credit. Thank you very much for the encouraging and kind words.”
Despite their well-earned celebratory welcome back to campus, the team has their eyes on the challenge ahead: National Finals. With little time to prepare, they made the journey to Louisiana Tech University from May 31 to June 1, 2024, where the prestigious event brought together 50 schools from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“While we didn’t repeat our usual great performance, we competed against the best steel bridge teams in North America,” said Dr. Dorafshan.
The Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC) serves as a platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering innovation and honing professional skills. Tasked with designing and constructing a scale-model steel bridge capable of spanning approximately 20 feet and carrying 2,500 pounds while adhering to stringent competition regulations, the event tests teams’ technical and aesthetic proficiency, with bridges undergoing meticulous evaluation.
The competition has evolved into a beloved engineering contest across the country, attracting approximately two hundred schools annually, UND included.
Written by Paige Prekker // UND College of Engineering & Mines
