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.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Top 10
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!
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!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Best Combined Performances at Nats
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!
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
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!
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:
Might have to start calling it the Gold Legacy!
SIDE NOTE: THIS IS OUR 500th POST!!! WOO HOO!
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Reminder...
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!!!
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
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!!!
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!!!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Golden Reign
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
http://www.ce.berkeley.edu/news/view.php?item=175
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Hmmm....
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.
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.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Flickr Photosets
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Pics of the 2008 SFSU Steel Bridge Team now up on SFSU's School of Engineering Webby.
here
Talk about Muchas Chicas...
here
Talk about Muchas Chicas...
Monday, June 02, 2008
From the Great Wet North
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.
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
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!
SUNY CANTON STEEL BRIDGE
Ojo de Aggie Update:
Strongest Steel Bridge Mascot
Kangaroos, SUNY Canton and UMKC
well done fellas!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Gainesville Sun
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
Linko
GUIN MEANS GO
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:
Monday, May 26, 2008
THE FRIGGIN' AWARDS!!! V.3.2008
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...
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...
This ole' prank never gets old, though the Fairmont State fella in the shower might not agree...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Fixin' to Catch a Flyer
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)
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)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
94 Years of Robert Mondavi
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.
R.I.P. Bob
The 6 generations of Team Chrome Ollie thank you for your undying support and generosity to the Ags.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Boise N' Da Hood
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
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
UConn is now in the NSSBC, peaking the field at 42 Bridges. Agggggggggies! We are now going 36th...and 22nd...and 32nd.
AKRON
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.
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.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
NSSBC Order is as follows:
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!
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
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?
Also, a nice article from the Daily News Miner on the Fairbanks effort at the PNWRC:
Link
Are these tabs cool or what?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
Other Qualifiers
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!!!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Ta Tonka Toros
A previous alma mater of our beloved Professor Sashi Kunnath, The University of Buffalo gets buff at West Point. 1st in Stiffness and also a narrow victory in Efficiency over an efficiency powerhouse in SUNY Canton. Word was that a lot of the deflection readings at the Upstate New York might have been a little sketchy, but the regional hardware goes to UB just the same. 2nd Place Overall and a trip to Gatorville. Work on that time UB and congrats!
Buffalo Steel Bridge
Buffalo Steel Bridge
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Ohio State Failure
Another lesson learned, this time by the Buckeyes. Keep your heads up Ohio State!
Gopher Steel Bridge Gives Back
Story here
"I didn't really know what an engineer was. Actually, I didn't even know they existed until we started the unit," said Molly Gjerde, 10. "Now I think engineers are really interesting because they do a different things. It'd be fun to design all that stuff, and find different ways to improve things."
If I had a nickel for everytime I'd heard a variation of that.
"I didn't really know what an engineer was. Actually, I didn't even know they existed until we started the unit," said Molly Gjerde, 10. "Now I think engineers are really interesting because they do a different things. It'd be fun to design all that stuff, and find different ways to improve things."
If I had a nickel for everytime I'd heard a variation of that.
MIT on the Economy Hunt
M.I.T., those chosen few who spend their time trying to actually solve the world's problems while studying all the basic theory. They're practicing hard, working to be on one of the best build teams in Gainesville.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Cal State LA
Stiffness Champs fromt the 2008 PSWRC have got some Flickr Photos up.
Thanks to Jerry!
Those
shirts
rule!
Thanks to Jerry!
Those
shirts
rule!
Roo Spotlight
UMKC gets C of E press.
http://www.sce.umkc.edu/cme/
Mr. Castro, looks, um, friggin' tall!!! Wow, we need to recruit some tall boys next year, or tall girls eh?
http://www.sce.umkc.edu/cme/
Mr. Castro, looks, um, friggin' tall!!! Wow, we need to recruit some tall boys next year, or tall girls eh?
Monday, May 05, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Sequence Sequence Sequence
Byaaaaaaah! We're trying everything, truss first, chords first, all B side first, all the deck first, all yielding an unknown path. Our bread and butter run isn't bad, but it probably won't get to the speed we want, soooooooooo we're gonna have to intermix a hybrid of timing and varied assembly/single styles to find the optimum...consistency and a little bit of film review ought to do it. Break out the stopwatches, let's rev it up!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
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