Team Chrome Ollie 2008-2009

It's Back.

2009-05-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

http://chromeollieporvida.blogspot.com/

Author's Final Note

2009-03-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

For various reasons, circumstances, time, and personal feelings this Blog will stop posting from the UC Davis end as of March 5, 2009. It has been fun while it lasted, but yours truly has had it. The students are changing too fast, but more importantly I just don't see the same level of drive, incessant leadership, and time commitment that was once there. The Commitment to Excellence is fading as I see it, and it's just not that fun anymore for this author. However, Despair Not! The spirt lives on in the youth of the Competition, so to all you out there taking on the beast known as Steel Bridge, I encourage you to build your Universities' reputation by first, working your ass off making the best Bridge possible, second, be upbeat, positive and talk to teams both at and away from Competition, and of course, lastly, scanning the internet obsessively looking for the articles, videos, pics and any other blurbage on the Teams of the Nation. Thank you all for reading and commenting, I wish you all the best for the 2008-2009 Steel Bridge season...

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS:
START A STEEL BRIDGE BLOG!

On the forecast

2009-03-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

Maybe having to cut corners! Nothing beats a countdown to Regionals like practicality.

Jigging and Milling and Welding Oh My!

2009-03-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Still "March"ing on...ha ha ha...

Deep Sur

2009-02-28T11:17:00.001-08:00

Deep South Conference coming to Arkansas State...

article hither

The Spectator Says...

2009-02-26T12:58:00.000-08:00

...Seattle's right on track.

Wet Link

More from College Station...

2009-02-26T12:53:00.000-08:00

Aggie Up!

Monnnnnntanya

2009-02-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

Blurbage on the Pacific Northwest Regional in Helena/Bozeman.

Blurby Durby

Just Because...

2009-02-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

In tribute to the King...

And the Thunder Rolls...

2009-02-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

We're starting to get frames together, with some spit and glue we'll get them done by Saturday so we can continue to crank out all the dovetails and get going on the not so jiggy parts of the puente. Exciting and Interesting Times...Let us hope it is not a Chinese Curse!!! This is America right? Ah, whatever, the Beijing Olympics were awesome, but the gymnastas seemed a wee bit young.

Go Ags! We March On!

Keep on rockin' in the Bridge World.

S-E-A-T-T-L-E

2009-02-20T13:58:00.001-08:00

Follow the super sophomores as they gear up for the PNWRC in Bozeman...Looks like today was supposed to be LOAD DAY...we'll see if they're on target.

Linximus

Shaping Up...

2009-02-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

...to be a big weekend. A lot of frames to jig and weld tomorrow, and it's Leti's cumpleaños, so we'll have to break out the sugar...whooooooo ja!

Possible Regional Visit(s)

2009-02-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

Right now, the only one that stands out as reasonable is a Friday night trip to Provo, UT for the Rocky Mountain Regional Steel Bridge Competition on April 4th. Only about an 11 hour drive to get there straighaway from Davis.

If anybody else out there wants to sponsor a formal regional visit, email chromelvis@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you, but it's understandable that this request is completely nuts.

Fargo is Go!

2009-02-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

Midwest up next @ North Dakota State University. Can't seem to see any kind of Regional Conference site for the Bisonators, but the dates are March 19-20. Be there or be rhomboidlike.

No, nobody from Davis will be trekking there way to the cold, white confines of Hector and its neighboring NDSU campusade, but we wish the competitors the best!...and let us know how all the schools did!

They got a shirt.

2009-02-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

CP SLO has secrured a shirt design...now just got to get that puente ready...

'Stangy Stang Stangs

Willie's back in the saddle...

2009-02-12T16:43:00.000-08:00

K-State's Collegian documents the ambitions of this season's Kansas State Steel Bridge Team.

Linkoo

Fresh Sparks

2009-02-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

Mid-Pac getting some print...Wolfpack too.

Linkius

Roadrunner Spirit

2009-02-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

From the UTSA Civil website:

http://engineering.utsa.edu/ce/steelbridge.html

You may recall UTSA as a past National Timber Bridge Champ: link

Ollie be...

2009-02-07T12:29:00.000-08:00

...behind schedule. Get on it Ags!

Burning down the House!

2009-01-23T10:10:00.000-08:00

Around here it's into the shop, and don't come out until everything has been cut, ground, machined, holed, deburred and polished to perfection...then it's into the other lab...where there is no space...at all, ha ha ha ha!

Steel has been ordered for a while now...streamlining the fab plan as much as possible once it gets in.

Mexico Nuevo

2009-01-23T09:34:00.000-08:00

No, not Southern California...the AGGIES of NEW MEXICO STATE.

Aquí

Wolverines!

2009-01-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

We might have a return of the OG's...aka Michigan.

Michigan Steel Bridge

here's to the maize and blue!
...no death threats please!!! ;-)

1 Up!

2009-01-23T09:14:00.001-08:00

You gotta love Iowa State...

;-)

When their not surfing...

2009-01-23T09:08:00.000-08:00

...they're updating their webby!

UCSD

Cal updates!

2009-01-22T18:40:00.000-08:00

Daaaaa Bears.

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~calsteel/

Tex-Mex Results

2009-01-20T18:34:00.000-08:00

Overall:

1st Place - Texas A & M University, College Station
2nd Place - University of Texas, San Antonio
3rd Place - Texas Tech University

Not entirely sure on this end, but this could be UTSA's and TTU's first Nationals bid. Groovy.

Word from the field is to watch those dimensionaly restraints, especially clearance and the inside of deck to inside of deck distances. Besides the Overall, TAMCS pretty much mopped up on all other categories...they look to be the class of the '09 Tex-Mex field. Also, FINALLY, the 2010 Tex-Mex regional will take place in March. This should significantly level the playing field, so looking to see some cooler design stuff from this Conference next season.

Texo-Mexo

2009-01-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Texas A&M College Station is fixin' to host the 2009 Tex-Mex regional. Dates: January 16-17. We all remember the heartbreak of the Longhorns last season, hopefully this Texas sized conference will once again put out some high end work for 2009!

Good Luck & Go Aggies!

http://asce.tamu.edu/

Sweet MidPac Setup

2009-01-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

From MidPac Website:

There is a lot of buzz right now at UNR about this competition for various reasons. For starters, UNR Steel Bridge has not been a regular fixture in the Mid-Pacific Conference since the early 1990s and UNR has finally put together a Steel Bridge Team that is entirely capable of bringing the bridge back to Nevada. An even bigger reason for the buzz lies in the fact that UNR has taken large steps to make this the BEST steel bridge competition in the history of the Mid-Pacific Region.

The UNR Steel Bridge Captain has joined the Mid-Pac Committee to help oversee the hosting and we are working with UNLV as a co-host for this particular competition. The reason we are teaming together is that UNLV is the National Steel Bridge Competition host for 2009 and they are required to host a competition before they can run Nationals. Unfortunately, their region is being hosted in Hawaii and it is very costly to get the equipment there.

UNR also wanted to use digital equipment to measure the displacements on the bridge to increase accuracy. By having UNLV as a co-host we should have all of the digital equipment needed. Our bridge captain and Mid-Pac Chair are working with UNLV's team to get them up here to oversee the competition. Together, we will organize the event and then on the day of event our bridge captain will be uninvolved to keep the competition fair and partial.

Another exciting development is that for the first time in recent history, the Steel Bridge competition will be hosted in an indoor arena! Lawlor Event Center, home of the UNR Wolf-Pack Basketball Team, will be the location for the entire competition. This is exciting because the wooden basketball court is removable and below it is a concrete floor. This venue allows for a great building surface in a controlled environment. There is no chance of weather impeding on the event!

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And, last but not least, UNR will be host to the University of Hormozgan, Iran Steel Bridge team! This team was invited by the Mid-Pac 2009 Committee to be a guest participant. While the team cannot place regionally or move on to the National Competition, they can participate and meet other engineers. This is a once in a lifetime experience for all who are involved and we ask that all the participants and spectators make them feel welcome!

The UNR Mid-Pac Committee can't wait to see all of you at the event. Have fun welding and we will see you in April!

REGIONAL CONFERENCES

2008-12-30T00:44:00.000-08:00

LIST HERE PEOPLE.

CP to the first...

2008-12-30T00:15:00.000-08:00

...the Mustangs are on that shizzle!!!

http://www.calpolysteelbridge.com/

Seattle Snow...Melt

2008-12-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

With nothing but an unusual snow pack and the usual rain to melt it away...you could definitely say these SUers will be indoors making some pretty darn good design decisions...giddy up, it's time for a sophomore showcase in Bozeman.

University of Hormozgan Webby

2008-12-29T23:43:00.000-08:00

Get it here...welcome Hormozgan to the Steel Bridge Circle!

HORMOZGAN SBT WEBSITE

Aggie Story

2008-12-29T23:23:00.000-08:00

Chrome O's design choice is coming down to the nitty gritty, some solid options...after a quick post Navidad discussion, the steel orders will be out and the grease and grime will begin. Good luck to all you vatos locos in the Steel Bridge Community this season. Work hard and you'll be rewarded...slack off and procrastinate...well, best of luck next season, hope you learned something.

trying to remember...no assemblies...old economy estimates are totally out the window...multiply by 2 or something...weird...

(don't forget, we're all human, we all get worn down, keep the faith and keep up the good fight, you'll get there...stay on point!)

UCSD 2008 trip

2008-12-29T23:14:00.000-08:00

Triton power vids up their visit to Gator Nation last May.

U-C-S-D!!!

Prepare for the Mormon Beatdown

2008-11-06T17:01:00.000-08:00

8th Place at 2008 Rocky Mountain...and rising!
(this just in, no spelly Mormon correcto, but correcto now)

The UMKC Team

2008-11-06T16:59:00.000-08:00

Steel Willie Rides Again

2008-11-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Akron hopping around...

2008-11-06T16:51:00.001-08:00

University of Akron Steel Bridge site...link

Homozganariffic

2008-11-06T16:40:00.000-08:00

UNR's Mid-Pac will welcome our Civil friends from Iran.

University of Homozgan Steel Bridge
...and their blog...

and while we're at it...

MID PAC 2009 WEBBY linko

Busy as Aggies

2008-10-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

Just hitting it hard and getting on it around here.

Suggest ye do ze same!

Call to CO Alumni

2008-09-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Any and all Bainer Hall keyholders of past Chrome Ollie years, if you forgot to return your Bainer keys to the Civil Office in EUIII...do so immediately, the current Team Chrome Ollie will be keyless until all keys have been returned...

Jessica Revell
Adam Randolph
Jennifer Walley
Liz Rider
Phil Weeks
Chris Quon
Rishi Patel

2008-09-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Loyola Marymount, new page up and running...

Linkolio

Immortalization

2008-09-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

Nice Bears! Link

Utah State Aggies

2008-09-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

Defending Rocky Mountain Conference Champs!

http://www.usu.edu/ust/index.cfm?article=30191

zzz...

2008-09-11T12:07:00.000-07:00

Gosh, these designs are so....boring. Though it's cool to see the Stack CNXN's we've been fooling with the past couple of seasons finally come into play.

Stack...lose 3 in. depth, hmm, yeah, supposedly fewer pieces, faster...hmmm...maybe mini truss...hmm...more pieces...grrrrrrr...analyze again...

Under the Bridge (...lonely as I am...)

2008-09-02T14:44:00.001-07:00

...togethuh we cry...

A lot of Bridge Type options so far, but all pretty straight forward. The decisions this season are going to be hard to make because all these Bridges are almost identical, though some have some better constrution options, but really, it's the efficiency that will tell the tale.

Bridging Cultures

2008-08-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

Q9.1. What is a gap as mentioned in rule 9.2.7?

Nasser Nasser Heydari, University of Hormozgan.

A. A gap is a depressed discontinuity in the decking support surface that is of sufficient lateral extent that rules 9.2.5 and/or 9.2.6 are violated at the longitudinal location of the gap. [9.2.5, 9.2.6, 9.2.7, 9.4]

Welcome Iran!

MidPac 2009

2008-08-25T11:23:00.001-07:00

With the Mid-Pacific Regional coming off it's best ever showing in 2008 at the Gainesville NSSBC, we have to believe the competition in this tiny Steel Bridge conference will begin to take on a new form of epic rivalry. Cal is returning as the defending NSSBC champion, the Ags posting 2007 and 2008 finishes in the Top 3, Chico State resurging into Steel Bridge dominance, and San Jose State, Big Sac and San Francisco State continuing to push forward into new realms of creativity and craftsmanship, this could be the most cutthroat Steel Bridge season ever out West. Should be exciting and with the return of the girders, it'll come down to filthy, greasy, fast speed Rock!!!

Now let's get some blood, sweat and tears goin' on up in here!

Rules Up

2008-08-16T12:45:00.001-07:00

Get Moored?

Get Fixed...

2008-08-07T14:33:00.001-07:00

...in case you needed some Kingage:

White Suede Shoes & More

Buffage

2008-08-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

The University of Colorado, Boulder has a nicely revamped website with some pics of their 2007-2008 Steel Bridge campaign.

http://asce.colorado.edu/pictures.php

The United States Air Force Academy finishes their robust inlay girder design at the Rocky Mountain regional in Golden, CO.

Wow!

2008-08-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

Don't know how this flew under the radar...

Thank you C of E!!!

Linko Commie Scum!

The Speculation Continues...

2008-07-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

With 294 Days, 19 Hours, 44 Minutes and 12 Seconds left to go until Vegas, the thoughts of what the NSSBC Committee will do with the Bridge Profile continues to spin around in our heads. Looking at it a little bit further, maybe a quickie timeline will help:

2004:
The two span bridges continue, along with ze Causewayz, except this time with efficiency taking the taco for the overall score, the two span beams of 2003, turn into two span truss/beam bridges. One university, however, located in the former Calhoun, South Carolina, dares to be different and continues on with the dual beamage. Accompanied by a thorough understanding of the Rules, some analytical and fabricatal ingenuity, and enough huevos to make Pancho Villa jealous, they devise a plan for the perfect "rule stretcher" of a bridge that is lighter than 100 lbs., and, according to the Rules, deflects less than 0.28" aggregate. But then, just as the pinnacle of this genius is about to be forged to the rest of the nation, the Rules committee is determined to show that there is an actual "Spirit" to this thing called the NSSBC. They proceed to swiftly swoop out of the eagle eyed heavens with their pens and pencils and scratch out the South Carolinans hopes of Epic Steel Bridge Grandeur with an Inovation Award in place of a 1st Place Overall Plaque. Fearing the worst, the committee decides that there are too many schools thinking too darn hard about how to make the perfect "Rules Stretching" Bridge...and thus, unveil the return of the single span bridge...

2005:
Could it really be? One Span? What? Wow, wait, it's 21 feet long?? What is this strange profile? This is not my beuautiful house! How did it get here? The committee goes primal and changes the crap out of everything...from a single span bridge to allowing super deep trusses, to making this funky little land mass that builders have to weave their way through like some salsa dancer busting moves on the dustied, sanded hardwood floors of Havana's beachfront. All changes, yet, all is excessively simple, except for figuring out how to build a truss fast rather than just a wee ole' beamer. And there was also this...skew thingy...hmmmmmmmm...

2006:
After the 'fast truss' year comes another roughie. Yup, we're gonna lengthen this span, yes we're gonna shrink yo depth, yes we're gonna put a spot on the site that nobody can reach without the help of Yao Ming. Another year of single span, yet simplified on site for easier building...no causeway, no island, no anything to keep you from straight bookin' it back and forth from the yard. With the level of Steel Bridge athlete rising...the committee looks at 2006 and wonders how to level the playing field yet again...

2007:
STOP! GO AROUND! COME ON YOU LOOKIE LOOS NOTHING TO SEE HERE! Ahhhhhh, ye ole' jolly revetment...you are so in my way!!! With steel prices on the rise, the NSSBC Committee shows a socio-economic conscious and forces the overweight/overstiff bridges of 2006 to trim yo arse down and get muy thrifty! To help the cause, however, the single span is shrunk to roughly 19', super deep profiles are allowed...(and taken advantage of by those South Carolinans again)...and the clock is ticking you bad mutha! For the first time since 2004, the full depth 'diamond decks' are allowed with the 9" deck window, and with lightness being necessary, so too are the deep decks to help keep 'er stiff. Speed kills, but the revetments slow the single span show just enough to keep folks safe. How on Earth are things gonna change for 2008?

2008:
Holy cow, is this like the same Bridge from 2007? No wait, it's gotta be stiffer..."yeah but not much"...we can't go 7' anymore..."so what? well, I reckon to some folks that's a burden"...the revetment is still there..."bloody hell that's lame"...remember Cal's stiffness at Northridge..."yeah, let's box that sucka somehow!"...how stiff is too stiff?..."we'll know after regionals"...this needs to be faster..."ugh, pick a gun and stick to it - but use 2 barges!!!"...6 or 5? 6 or 5?!!!..."let's be rebellious and go with 5, because 6 builders would force a captain into service"...and on and on, and on, and on. Not a huge variation in Rules except for the incredible balance in scoring...for the first time in what seems like, uh ever, a Bridge Team must do everything well to win. Single span survives, but has it peaked?????

And so we look forward to 2009. Hypotheses have flown around quite a bit, as some feel with the addition of barges in 2008, an island type of Bridge will be upon us, possibly returning the two span bridges, but in a fashion that is clarified in favor of the "spirit" of the competition. Will the depth go down? Will we get deep decks again? When will the long beams come into play...multiple beams? Will the 6 builder rule be changed to 3 or 4 max? What could they do that would possibly rid the revetments yet keep the builders moving at a safe pace? There are no answers until "by mid-August!"

Carry on then, the future is nigh.

Top 10

2008-07-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Reasons Vegas Will be Fun for the NSSBC:

10. Muliple Steel Bridge arrests for underage gambling.

9. Hooking up with M.I.T. counting cards at the MGM Black Jack tables.

8. Sex in the Stratosphere.

7. Images of Bugsy Siegel getting shot in his backyard as you stroll past the Flamingo.

6. Getting brass knuckled by and old schooler after getting caught counting cards with M.I.T.

5. Cheap prime rib.

4. The abundance of sun, and non-abundance of humidity.

3. The neverending supply of free maraschino cherries.

2. A chance to catch up on secondhand smoke.

1. Bright Lights 24-7!

UF new stuff

2008-07-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

The host with the most updates a little...

UF Steel Bridge

Calatrava will go White

2008-07-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a couple of months, a nice look back on the 2008 Champs.

Link

Love from the Capitol

2008-07-21T11:28:00.001-07:00

Sac Section represents. Thank you Matt Socha!

ASCE Sac Section Student Chapter News

2008-07-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

Ninguna regla todavía.
Mantiene los ojos abren.

Neu Mizzou

2008-07-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

Mizzou is working on a new blog:

here

You're in Love?

2008-06-30T17:28:00.001-07:00

The 2009 UNLV NSSBC video shown at Gainesville last May.

Omaha

2008-06-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

Add a College World Series title for Mid-Pac!

Nice one Dogs!

Best Combined Performances at Nats

2008-06-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Single University:

1. University of California, Berkeley
(1st Steel Bridge, 2nd Concrete Canoe)

2. University of Florida
(2nd Steel Bridge, 5th Concrete Canoe)

3. University of Wisconsin, Madison
(6th Steel Bridge, 6th Concrete Canoe)

4. Clemson University
(11th Steel Bridge, 7th Concrete Canoe)

5. Youngstown State University
(18th Steel Bridge, 15th Concrete Canoe)

Region:

1. Mid-Pacific
(1st/3rd Steel Bridge, 1st/2nd Concrete Canoe)

2. Mid-West
(4th/10th Steel Bridge, 10th Concrete Canoe)

3. Carolinas
(9th/11th Steel Bridge, 7th Concrete Canoe)

Keep it strong out there, best of luck in 2009!

WOLF-PACK! Wins 2008 NCCC

2008-06-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

Congrats to the University of Nevada, Reno for their inspired performance at Montréal.

With Cal taking a NCCC 2nd ...the year of Mid-Pac has now officially ended. ha ha!

Story on the Wolfpack here

Another story hither

1) University of Nevada, Reno

2) University of California-Berkeley

3) Ecole de technologie superieure, Montreal

4) California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

5) University of Florida

6) University of Wisconsin-Madison

7) Clemson University

8) Michigan Technological University

9) University of California, Los Angeles

10) University of Wisconsin - Platteville

11) Polytechnic University

12) Drexel University

13) Florida Institute of Technology

14) University of Houston

15) Youngstown State University

16) The University of Maine

17) University of Washington

18) United States Air Force Academy

19) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

20) Fairmont State University

21) Louisiana Tech University

22) Milwaukee School of Engineering

Also big congrats to ÉTS as it is incredibly difficult to host and place at the same competition.

Other Links of Interest:

Complete NCCC2K8 Resultados

ConcreteCanoe.org

ASCE NCCC 2008 WEBSITE

Might have to start calling it the Gold Legacy!

SIDE NOTE: THIS IS OUR 500th POST!!! WOO HOO!

A Reminder...

2008-06-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Any future input, comments, hate mail, suggestions, ideas or whatever for this blog...

EMAIL: chromelvis@gmail.com <-----

NOT: chrome.ollie@gmail.com (do not email here)

Believe us when it is said that we love to hear from Teams across the land...WE LOVE IT!!!

From Chico

2008-06-16T11:30:00.000-07:00

On MidPac '08:

http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/__depts/ce/

The 2008 Chico State Steel Bridge Team placed third overall in the Mid-Pac competition. The team began the design of their bridge in the fall semester of 2007 and the construction process started in March. Aaron Malatesta, a senior civil engineering student and the team's captain, had nothing but good things to say about the team's performance, “The collaborative effort of all the individuals who helped make the bridge possible led to an amazing performance in an extremely competitive group.”

Each team's bridge was judged based on their timed construction of the bridge, the strength of the bridge, and it's weight. Of the seven universities competing, Chico finished third in each area. The team has lots of new ideas for next year's bridge and they look forward to the 2009 Mid-Pac competition in Reno.

MidPac Resultados

With a bit more practice and a few fixes, the Wildcats would've done some damage in Gainesville...we need more Steel Bridge Teams to come out!!! Nevada Reno, this means you! We also need another couple of invitees, if Ryerson can't get it done invite the Japanese or the South Korean National Champion...or better yet, let's invite the Germans!!!

Yellow Jackets

2008-06-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

Some more exposure for the Georgia Tech Steel Bridge Team

Linkamus

Golden Reign

2008-06-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

The Cal Civil Dept. has put up a video of the Bears' run at Gainesville. Very, very cool.

http://www.ce.berkeley.edu/news/view.php?item=175

Hmmm....

2008-06-11T15:09:00.000-07:00

After due consideration and reflection on the past 2 Steel Bridge seasons, us UC Davis Aggies have decided to maintain control of this domain known as "The Blog". Sorry NDSU, maybe after the 2008-2009 season, we'll see.

If anybody out there has questions, cool information, thoughts, ideas or anything else about or for this blog...then email it to:

chromelvis@gmail.com

...in honor of UNLV showing their guns in 2009!

Also, if anybody thinks they'd be up to the task of maintaining this blog for the 2009-2010 season, you better get your name in the running asap. Apply ONLY if you're serious about working this Blog, we're talking daily posts people, otherwise ye need not apply.

Penn State U - University Park

2008-06-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

Ughhh, those pesky name Rules...gotta love 'em!

Nittany Progress Here

2008 NSSBC Gallery

2008-06-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

Pics from the NSSBC are up on the Gator site:
Link

Oh yeah.

A Little More from Kansas City

2008-06-09T09:33:00.001-07:00

UMKC earns its best ever finish in 2008. Go Roos!

Story Here

Let the Dice Stay Hot

2008-06-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

Them Runnin' Rebels have got the ball rolling...

http://www.2009steelbridge.com/

Golden Bear Reflections

2008-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

From UCB Civil webby.

Link

Flickr Photosets

2008-06-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of Nice ones on Flickr if you haven't seen 'em yet, one from the perspective of Missouri S & T, the other from the Copper Country of Michigan Tech! Kiitos for putting pics up!

From MTU
From Missouri SnT

Leticia is always happy...and mischievous.

A couple of Blue Hens check out our tribal tape job.

Calatravans get in a little Tai chi.

Rust is always sexy, as are Bridge Marshall shirts.

2008-06-04T16:29:00.001-07:00

Pics of the 2008 SFSU Steel Bridge Team now up on SFSU's School of Engineering Webby.

here

Talk about Muchas Chicas...

From the Great Wet North

2008-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

Seattle University SB site here

Not too sure about load testing in the rain...but the 6 weeks ahead of regionals is definitely a good thing!!!

This is pretty much the best first year of a Steel Bridge Team ever.

Roo Power

2008-06-02T11:26:00.000-07:00

SUNY Canton finishes a strong 5th while taking home top marks for Construction Speed and Economy. Not a bad year at all!

SUNY CANTON STEEL BRIDGE

Ojo de Aggie Update:

Strongest Steel Bridge Mascot
Kangaroos, SUNY Canton and UMKC

well done fellas!

Viva Las Vegas

2008-06-01T18:45:00.000-07:00

GOAL FOR 2009

Ojo de Aggie NSSBC Awards...

2008-05-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

...they're down below, Monday May 26th entry...

down hither

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Tech Strong Once Again

2008-05-30T00:33:00.001-07:00

Georgia Tech finished 9th Overall, another strong showing by the Yellow Jackets.

Linkus

Cal!

2008-05-30T00:28:00.001-07:00

All Cal in 2008. Congrats Bears!

UC Berkeley Civil

Gainesville Sun

2008-05-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

The GS covers the 2008 NSSBC. Got a video too, and if I'm not mistaken, I can see Shuwen bored as usual waiting for the barges and the short side to get ready, and Jeff setting up his piers. Cool, cool, cool. Thank you James Falls!

Linko

GUIN MEANS GO

2008-05-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

It's never easy being selected to run in the first 5 at the NSSBC, though the advantage of the judges still waking up is always a plus. YSU gets it on in Gainesville:

THE FRIGGIN' AWARDS!!! V.3.2008

2008-05-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hola Amigos!!! How we doing out there? The party's friggin' over for another year, aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh, and we were having so much fun!

First off, a thousand times over we wanna thank the University of Florida Gators for hosting the best damn NSSBC we've ever been a part of. The venue was perfect, the immense number of judges was astounding, and we had all the answers we needed by just tapping an orange shirt on the shoulder. Very, very, amazing job UF ASCE, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Also thanks to AISC and ASCE, especially Frank Hatfield, Chromy Rosenburg, John Perucci (did I spell that right?), and the entire NSSBC Rules Committee. It can't be as easy as Bill Maher makes it look coming up with New Rules every year. They handled the questions quite well throughout the season and at Gainesville.

UC Davis Random Rememberings from the 2008 NSSBC:
*Orlando Airport is still on the high-tech, color coded terror alert system, and it was Orange on Memorial Day...ha ha...Orange indeed!
*Cigars taste better in Florida.
*Go to the NSSBC for a stiffness boost.
*Just like Caltrans, it takes 20 PE's an hour to solve an issue in the Rules.
*The banquet facilities at UF are a tad better than they are in Davis.
*You can still beam it baby! Right on Wyoming!
*Bubba Gump's has great shrimp.
*Losing 3 hours sucks. Gaining them back is awesome.
*Check your blind spot.
*Sometimes I wish I was born in the South.
*Gotta make time for the Waffle House.
*Wisconsin hit the Olive Garden too.
*Sleep is always, ALWAYS, an option.

And the 2008 "Ojo de Aggie" Awards go to...

AWARDS THAT ACTUALLY MEAN SOMETHING

1st Place Overall - UC Berkeley
Alright, the Bears and the Ags know this, but did you? Cal is the 4th DIFFERENT University from the Mid-Pacific to win the NSSBC, and all of them in the modern NSSBC era. Nevada-Reno won in 1999, Chico State in 2000, UC Davis in 2005 and now Cal in 2008. No other conference comes close to that kind of diversified talent. Now, to the Cal design. It certainly is flattering to have an enitre SBT army tattoo "BEAT DAVIS" to their brains, and you certainly can't say it didn't work for 'em. The Bears put together one of the most beautiful and functional Bridges ever at the NSSBC. The truss intricacy was flat out astounding, and the use of "Lock Chords", an idea we developed in 2007, or maybe Cal developed it on their own independently, proved to be an original in fabrication and function, as the Bridge acted essentially like a customized arch moment frame. Not only that, it left the Cal Bears able to assemble each side of their Bridge in only 5 assemblies, that's right, just five. The Team of Destiny in 2008, give it up for the Berkeley Bears, great job guys and gals!

2nd Place Overall - University of Florida
The Surpriser of 2008. Hosting the NSSBC and putting together a phenomenal Bridge...the most notable effort of the 2008 NSSBC season. After hearing that Southern Poly had licked 'em pretty good in Orlando, we weren't sure how good the Gators were really going to be...but obviously you can't overlook a solid program like UF. Utilizing a highly efficient 3V truss that was light and stiff, the 6 member Gator Crew had a solid run utilizing counterweights and a ton of crowd support. Talk about wanting the spotlight, the Gators earned it this season. Huge Congrats to UF.

3rd Place Overall - UC Davis
Oh man, total Chrocial Distortion, we were so close to nipping UF for 2nd, but we just weren't quite fast enough. While we would've loved for Mid-Pac to go ONE-TWO this season, we're very pleased with our efforts. Realizing that the Texas Fatigue Failure, the Badger Issue, and the NDSU Mass Stoppage helped us considerably, we feel very fortunate to again be in the Top 3 for the second year in a row. We credit the spread truss to Calmouflauge of 2007, and Chico State of 2006. Seeing the stiffness results and potential for increased speed without truss braces opened our eyes last summer, as did the box deck. Choosing to double the deck under the loading grate was a highly debated issue, but it analyzed well if not better in stiffness than a full box, and it wasn't as heavy or cumbersome in the connection department. Also, big congrats to the Assembly Crew, for the third straight year, we've had no returning Assembly Team members, and for you Ags to keep it penalty free at Nats is a big, big deal. We're happy, we're tired, we're naturally friggin' wired...GO AGS!

SUBJECTIVE AWARDS

BEST TOOLS AND MOST INTERESTING TECHNIQUES DURING ASSEMBLY

Most folks were in the temporary pier department...we analyzed it out and figured for a 5 person crew, it'd only cost us 5 seconds...so we decided to use it for a couple of moves to rid ourselves of them nasty counterweights...not to mention we'd have to fly counterweights across the country, talk about very not thrifty. The most functional counterweights go to Florida and Lawrence Tech. Double your pleasure with this year's batch of designs, handling Dos Libres proved to work for the Gators. As for temporary piers, Clemson's member bucket on the TP was pretty cool. Wisconsin's and UMKC's cross bar across the top of the TP was stretching the Rules thin but proved to be worth it. Grooviest TP's go to Texas and the University of New Orleans. Quick shout out to Seattle University for their use of the tubed "Roach Wrenches"...very nice! Other than that, not too much going on, when you've got two barges the tools start to thin out...Wisconsin also had a nice use of the extended drills for some last minute drilling by the land people. Any other cool tools that you think should be mentioned, send pics to chrome.ollie

CLEANEST FABRICATION
Clean everything, be it professionally fabricated or otherwise:
Texas
Iowa State
Cal
Georgia Tech
NJIT
SUNY Canton
Penn State
Hawai'i
Wyoming
UCSD

MILEAGE AWARD
Hawai'i and Alaska, Fairbanks. Well done making it to Gainesville!

SHINIEST BRIDGE AWARD
The Badgers yet again...

BEST DECKS
Cal - Cutting the shear lag on the box deck by placing a "Rules Shelf" to the inside was brilliant.
Texas - The full monty on ye ole box deck. Small tubes and small bays of triangles kept it stiff.
UMKC - Keeping it deep under chord proves to be a stiff design choice.
Florida - Big box tube where you need it.
Wisconsin - The engineered lateral truss in the proper locations was a nice design decision, definite weight saver.

BEST MOHAWK
Alaska Fairbanks...woulda been NDSU, but somebody had a change of heart.

SOMETHING NEW AWARD
Cal (lock chords, tapered space truss)
Iowa State (dovetail clusters)

DOH! AWARD
Texas
Wisconsin
NDSU
UCSD

BEST PAINT
Hawai'i - Display snubbed!
Iowa State - Green powder coat
SD School of Mines - Raider Nation powder coat
Georgia Tech - Gold is never old!
SUNY Canton - Always classic!
Missouri S & T - Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold...

MILLER TIME AWARD
Delaware
UC Davis - friggin' bolt tabs!!! (THANKS FLORIDA!)

MOST MISSED
PSWRC Champ Cal Poly Pomona
SESC Champ Southern Poly
Ohio Valley Champ U. of Akron
Those party animals from Chico State

MOST AUTHENTIC ASSEMBLY OUTFITS
UCLA with the Caltrans Regulation Vests
The UF Overalls!

BEST SHIRTS
Cal
SUNY Canton
UCSD

FUNNEST ASSEMBLY SEQUENCES TO WATCH
Wisconsin
Florida
University of New Orleans
Cal
Texas

BEST STEEL BRIDGE WEBSITES (NSSBC NOT REQD)
UMKC SteelRoos Blog
Wisconsin
Portland State
Iowa State
Sac State
M.I.T. Blogspace
UC Irvine Blogspace

MOST IN NEED OF A DECENT/UPDATED WEBSITE
SUNY Canton
Lakehead
Southern Poly
Lawrence Tech
Hawai'i
Alaska Fairbanks

BEST NEWCOMERS
Seattle University (3rd Stiffness, unreal)
University of New Orleans

BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT
Delaware (12th from 41st in 2007)
UMKC (7th from 21st in 2007)

BEST RETURN TO THE NSSBC AFTER A FEW YEARS
Alaska Fairbanks

MUCHAS CHICAS AWARD
UC Davis, yeah that's right, PM Jessica, and two Assembly Team members in Leticia and Shuwen...top it!

Hon. Mentions: Michigan Tech, MIT, Cal, NJIT, Delaware

SPEEDY GONZALEZ AWARD
SUNY Canton

BEST OF THE WEST
Cal

BEST OF THE EAST
Florida

BEST OF THE CENTRAL
North Dakota State

BIGGEST HEARTBREAK
University of Texas, Austin...-> Raw #'s: 133 lbs, ~4 min 18 sec @ 5 builders, 0.24" @ 2400 lb breaking point, 2 pier moves, 2 barges.

BEST STEEL BRIDGE CONFERENCES OVERALL
1. Mid-Pacific (1 + 3)/2 = 2
2. Midwest (4+10)/2 = 7
3. Carolinas (9+11)/2 = 10
4. Pacific Northwest (8+16+20)/3 = 14.67
5. Mid-Atlantic (12+24)/2 = 18

CRAZY CROWD AWARD
Breaking tension and having fun!!!
Florida
NJIT
Cal
Wisconsin

ENGINEERING HOTTIE AWARD
UF ASCE & Hosting Committee

SAUSAGE FACTORY AWARD
SUNY Canton (NDSU close second)

MOST LIKELY TO KICK ASS NEXT YEAR
Wisconsin
NDSU
Cal
SUNY Canton
Iowa State
Clemson
UMKC
Southern Poly
Seattle
UC Davis
Sleepers...Minnesota and Chico State

Congrats to all the 2008 Steel Bridge Teams for another unbelievable season. Thanks again to the University of Florida for being a truly grand host. Look for a major change in Bridge Envelope and Construction Site in 2009, time to shake it up again!!! Peace and be well this summer.

Aggies out...

Oooooooh...

2008-05-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

This ole' prank never gets old, though the Fairmont State fella in the shower might not agree...

Utah Aggies

2008-05-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Get 'er done Ags! Sweet!

Utah State Aggies construct at Gainesville NSSBC 2008:

Missouri S & T Wrap Up

2008-05-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

Not too shabby!!!

Link

Got those 3 hours back finally...

2008-05-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU FLORIDA!!!

GREAT RUN GATORS! ARTICLE

Latuz Cali

2008-05-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

We'll see everybody in Gainesville Thursday night. Travel safe todos!!!

Fixin' to Catch a Flyer

2008-05-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

The NSSBC is upon us again. As the eve of the greatest collegiate engineering event approaches, we find ourselves looking back to when this year's project all began...last summer. Has it really been 10 months? All those chalk talks and analysis sessions, recruitment and fundraising, putting a Team together, and staying on schedule through fabrication and regional competition. It's a mind bender how time flys when you're having fun solving a problem. So as we travel to Florida Thursday morning we're reminded of all the hard work it took to get us here. We're reminded of all the dedicated members who've taken care of their tasks without complaint. We're reminded that win or lose, it must be remembered that the journey is the thing...not the outcome, but what we learned to get there.

And so to all you out there biting your fingernails wondering how you'll do, just relax, talk to other Teams, learn something new, and enjoy yourselves at the Swamp.

Here's to being an engineer! And if you're not one, here's to whatever you do!

(do pardon the product placement)

94 Years of Robert Mondavi

2008-05-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

From Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef: SF Gate Link

R.I.P. Bob
The 6 generations of Team Chrome Ollie thank you for your undying support and generosity to the Ags.

Boise N' Da Hood

2008-05-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Portland Hood...

Boise State starts "clueless" and does what some schools have trouble doing...competing with a strong Steel Bridge AND Concrete Canoe. Well done Broncos!

Link

More Huskies

2008-05-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

UConn is now in the NSSBC, peaking the field at 42 Bridges. Agggggggggies! We are now going 36th...and 22nd...and 32nd.

AKRON

2008-05-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, AND BELIEVE IN THEIR CAUSE, SIGN THIS.

IF YOU THINK IT'S BULL, READ THEIR STATEMENT, THEN SIGN THIS.

PETITION FOR AKRON ZIP ASCE TRANSFER (LINK)

...

The Background

In 2006 The University of Akron ASCE Student Chapter began discussion of changing from the North Central Student Conference to the Ohio Valley Student Conference. The main reasons for considering a switch were based on (a) wanting to compete with schools in closer geographic proximity and (b) reducing the cost burden associated with traveling to the North Central Conference every year.

The National ASCE Committee on Student Activities (CSA) told the UA faculty advisor that the North Central Conference must approve the release of the UA student chapter and the Ohio Valley Conference must vote to accept the UA student chapter. Written justification for the switch must then be forwarded to CSA, in order for the University of Akron to switch regions.

In the spring of 2007, the University of Akron ASCE Student Chapter sent representation to both the North Central Student Conference and the Ohio Valley Student Conference seeking the approval from both conferences to make the change. The North Central Conference voted 4-2 to approve UA leaving their Conference. The Ohio Valley Conference voted 11-0 to approve UA joining their Conference.

A justification letter for the conference switch was then sent to CSA. All requirements for the change had been met according to what CSA had expressed to our Student Chapter.

After written justification had been sent to CSA, a response was sent to the UA Student Chapter disapproving of the conference switch without justifiable reasoning for the denial, contradicting guidelines previously set forth by CSA. A second attempt was made and again we were denied without adequate reasoning. It was our understanding that all requirements were met, according to CSA, and the Conference change was legitimate. The UA Student Chapter competed in the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference. The UA Steel Bridge team finished first (qualifying them for nationals) and the Concrete Canoe team placed second (qualifying them for nationals). CSA imposed a denial of invitation to our two teams.

Since the recent Ohio Valley Conference, the Educational Activities Committee has been called upon to make a decision on our eligibility which will bring clarity to the ambiguity of CSA’s guidance and then denial. At this time, the Educational Activities Committee is reviewing our situation. Currently, our Student Chapter is in good standing with ASCE, and we have met all eligibility requirements as set forth in the ASCE Eligibility Requirements.

It is our belief that we should receive invitations to both the National Concrete Canoe Competition and the National Student Steel Bridge Competition. We believe that the Educational Activities Committee has the power to make this situation right by acting decisively and quickly in determining that we are eligible to compete at the National competitions. The impact on our student group would be tremendous if you would support our cause - It has been a long and stressful ordeal for all of our students. Please demonstrate your support by joining our petition.

NSSBC Order is as follows:

2008-05-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

O'Connell Center Order Link

Well, looks like Fairmont State and Va Tech are the Virginias qualifiers...answers that question. Don't see any University of Akron, boooooooo, where's Southern Poly? It seems 'Bama is in...must've been a meeting thing, bummer.

4 UC's!!! Alright!

From KTVF-TV

2008-05-15T12:12:00.000-07:00

UAF Steel Bridge Team Preparing for Nationals

Also, a nice article from the Daily News Miner on the Fairbanks effort at the PNWRC:

Link

Are these tabs cool or what?

More UMKC Press

2008-05-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

Kangaroos getting more love.

Link

Virginias?

2008-05-15T12:09:00.001-07:00

Does anybody know who placed where at the Virginias Conference? Did Va Tech repeat?

Greasy, Quick, Speed!

2008-05-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

Getting faster...

Other Qualifiers

2008-05-09T09:37:00.001-07:00

Okay...we received word from the Vikings that Seattle University and the University of Idaho took the 2nd and 3rd Overall spots, respectively. This is the first time that SU has entered the PNW Steel Bridge Competition, and apparently they had the place roaring with their performance. Congrats to the Redhawks, and of course, congrats to them Vandals!!!