Monday, March 10, 2008
Practice!
Great job everybody on Saturday...practice only makes you faster, and it's showing. High five to Jeff for coming in on Sunday to get some extra assembly work in, he's already cut his yard time by roughly 150%. Well done! Alright Chrolympians...it's another week of Tiggin' and Millin'. Let's get it done.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
A connection is made!!!
We've got our first working slip fit OT connection. We'll have to see how we bolt it to alleviate the 1/32" hinging on the one side, but 75% of them are Rock Solid...not stealing your ole' thunder UW boat crew.
Friday, March 07, 2008
A great week...so far!!!
While tomorrow's shop and practice runs should seal up another great week...we had a great workweek as well. Cormac was fusing like gangbusters all week, and with a little help from Daret this morning, the OT and it's special sections are completely TIGged. The Bridge is starting to look like NASA's own, Gene Krantz would be so proud.
We're running out of things to precision mill, which usually only means one thing: We need to finish all the hard precision milling on the fancy connections. This Bridge is ack-basswards compared to what we've done before, so it's like working in reverse of the reverse. The hardest connections...aka the A.G.S. dovey dove doves are going last, but it's all good. Now that we're practiced up in the Student Shop, the hardest stuff is coming at the right time.
This next week, we'll make sure that everything is in order for the DK Tigging...the welds are small, but the alignment needs to be money or will be leaning like a cholo. Hopefully Cormac nurses his sore throat for next week, because we've also got a fixa' dealie bobber to do on the center 4 CD's...Designer Estupido!!!
No worries. Keep on hoppin' mates, and don't let any bringer downers deter you from the task at hand!
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Minnesota Media
Little news blurb here that aired before the Midwest Regional. Great job Gophers. The stiffness was there!
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Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Sound the Siren!!!
Wisconsin is off and running!!! If they're even half as good on the assembly site as they were last year, we'll all be on the chase. Nice job Bucky!
http://www.engr.wisc.edu/studentorgs/bridge/
http://www.engr.wisc.edu/studentorgs/bridge/
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Latest Intelligence...
With our new found pot of gold, a.k.a. Cormac McHugh, doing some TIG welding now while Daret nurses his sore-arse back, we're about 60% done with the fine tuned welding on the OT.
...Construction practice has officially commenced, and with the results from the Midwest sizzling in our noggins, it's only fuel for the fire ahead. We'll continue to finish up cnxn projects this week, and shoot to finish all OT welding by Saturday night...along with perhaps...all DK cnxn welding.
...
Tonight we're having a film day...mainly watching NDSU, Iowa State, Minnesota and SDSU from the Midwest Regional, but also some film from 2007. Looks like we're on track for the finish date of Jolly St. Patrick, but one extra week won't kill us to get it all right...if only winter finals weren't scheduled on that extra week, dammit!!!
Monday, March 03, 2008
Next on the List...
It looks like The Southeast Conference, which is huge, will have the Steel Bridge World all to themselves for one weekend at the end of March.
Details here on the UCF/Florida Tech joint hosting of the Southeast ASCE Regional Conference:
http://www.2008sesc.com/
From this conference, 2008 NSSBC Host the Florida Gators will look to improve on their 12th Place finish at Northridge. Inventive, aggressive, and always quick on the assembly, Southern Poly will also look to knock off the Gators in Orlando. North Florida, Tennessee and Tennessee Tech will also be in the mix. Other schools who may turn some heads include South Florida, Florida Tech, UCF, all the Alabama schools, Auburn, Vandy, FIU, and Southern University. Should be a great event to watch. Don't think Matt will make this one, though tix to Orlando are cheaper than Cedar Rapids, IA....of which, the flights got cancelled anyway. Dude, not much driving either...well, we'll see. Be on the look for the Chrome Ollie hat in O'do.
Details here on the UCF/Florida Tech joint hosting of the Southeast ASCE Regional Conference:
http://www.2008sesc.com/
From this conference, 2008 NSSBC Host the Florida Gators will look to improve on their 12th Place finish at Northridge. Inventive, aggressive, and always quick on the assembly, Southern Poly will also look to knock off the Gators in Orlando. North Florida, Tennessee and Tennessee Tech will also be in the mix. Other schools who may turn some heads include South Florida, Florida Tech, UCF, all the Alabama schools, Auburn, Vandy, FIU, and Southern University. Should be a great event to watch. Don't think Matt will make this one, though tix to Orlando are cheaper than Cedar Rapids, IA....of which, the flights got cancelled anyway. Dude, not much driving either...well, we'll see. Be on the look for the Chrome Ollie hat in O'do.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Midwest
From the "Cookie Monster"...(wtf am I called around the lab now Jess?)
"What's up y'all. Okay, so the Midwest was le intersting. A lot of great bridges, but man, did we see some pain and agony as well. What was it, like 4 or 5 bridges couldn't stand the load? 2 collapsed: South Dakota State, and Lakehead, yes, the Thunderwolves will not be in the NSSBC for the first time in 10 years. Watch that friggin' torsion people, and truss buckling...it's shredding all non-hackers who don't pack the analytical gear to serve at the 2008 NSSBC...don't get too skimpy laterally!!! However, don't go overboard either unless you're playing the lightness card (Longhorns this could mean you - Hook 'em up at Gainesville). I reckon the Rules committee had this in mind after seeing last year's, uh, questionable lateral bracing scenarios, same, somewhat in 2006 and 2005...though loadings change.
Top 3 were as follows:
1. North Dakota State -- getting old guys, Fahrvegnügen, just be normal for a change and slack off like the rest of us engineering students who are too good at math, and too shitty at writing to warrant any other kind of degree...C's make degrees fellas...but in all seriousness, the Bison are young, and they showed enormous nerve and resolve having to follow the impressive run by the Cyclones. Great job guys (and gal?). Don't make me whip out the Sausage Factory award for you dudes in Gainesville! The two weeks of practice time really showed, great job working the assemblies. ;-)
2. Iowa State -- had a great time, no idea on the structual numbers, but they did incorporate a lot of doves in the Bridge (pleeeease credit Penn State todos, we stole it from them way back when) and the practice and preparation showed as they drew first blood on the Assembly Site. Very good showing following a pretty imprecise regional Purete de Acero in 2007. But...why paint it dark green flake? is it a Christmas thang?
3. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (no penalty for bad name woo hoo!) -- first in stiffness, but took a little bit too long on the assembly, but kudos for the huevos to not put any builders on the long side...YES, it is possible to assembly with 4 builders, but put some wingspans at barge, and detail your pier to truss/beam/pier-lat cnxns properly, if you want to see if it works...I'd suggest the ex-basketball playing Civils (or MechE's, don't be closed minded, it has always worked like Expelliarmus for us) in the program, or any freaks of nature (a.k.a. pain loving goths) who've survived the Braveheart rack.
No word on the rest of the finishings exactly, but UW-Platteville (still sporting the Wisconsin State Pen jumpsuits), SDSU, Lakehead, Minnesota State-Mankato and the host University of Iowa all failed load tests, either laterally or vertically...duh. The Fighting Sioux of The University of North Dakota did not fail, however, as they were quietly dubbed "El Puente Pequeño que Puede". UND had a very simple bridge, straight out of a statics text book, but the sucker held just fine, so good job there...unfortunately when you come to Davis to play us next fall on the gridiron, you well get your asses handed to you in all the ways that aren't pleasant. 14-2 in 2001 is still sticking in our craw, die Sioux die, just the white people, not the Native Americans, they're all cool with us. Good job though UND, it wasn't an easy load scenario.
Exact numbers won't be detailedd here, mainly, 'cause I quite frankly don't know them exactly, but NDSU and Iowa State put up good times, they'll be pretty fast come Nationals, but, thinking about it, with 2 barges in the mix, everybody with enough preparation and creativity will be able to get a good time -- maybe faster than you thought possible, so get crazy with the Cheez Whiz and get on that shizzle.
Top 10 Random thoughts on the trip to Iowa City:
1. Tighten that bolt NDSU...that's the stiffness problemo right there! Wtf "Professor"?
2. There's a prototypical Iowa Highway Patrolmen just outside of Iowa City waiting for a lifetime Hollywood gig as the essential crewcut, clearheaded IHP cop...74 in a 70? Dude, seriously...the warning wasn't worth yo time, especially with no visable ice on the road for 230 miles. Beeyatch! But seriously,...fark off and be glad I wasn't doing the typical 85 I'd do in Cali.
3. The California Aggies should've yelled Byaaaaaaaah! following their 2007 run.
4. Uhhhhh...it may be cheap to sleep in the rental car from midnight to 6 am in Iowa City...but not recommended, as my huevos are still recovering from frost bite, and not the kind from a cold hearted woman.
5. It's okay to talk to Californians, even if our society is a little bit completely upside down from the Midwest. We're just crazy on the outside...and don't mean no harm, 'cause we're country boys and girls at heart gettin' down on the Farm!!!
6. Iowa City has less cows and way more steakhouses than Davis...friggin' hippies!
7. Don't find yourself on a semi-broke streak and travel halfway across the country...only to find your flight to Cedar Rapids cancelled because of this thing called weather...
8. In the land of cute Asian, Polynesian, and Indian chicas here in Davis, it's refreshing to know that cute white chicks (non-psychos) are still in the mix...at least somewhere.
9. It's just a stupid Steel Bridge, don't be nervous, but please, prepare yourselves.
10. When in Iowa, stop by the Kum and Go. Chatsworth would be so proud!
(this list and blog entry was written under the power of Icehouse/King Cobra ---please pardon the Bush-Speak)."
"What's up y'all. Okay, so the Midwest was le intersting. A lot of great bridges, but man, did we see some pain and agony as well. What was it, like 4 or 5 bridges couldn't stand the load? 2 collapsed: South Dakota State, and Lakehead, yes, the Thunderwolves will not be in the NSSBC for the first time in 10 years. Watch that friggin' torsion people, and truss buckling...it's shredding all non-hackers who don't pack the analytical gear to serve at the 2008 NSSBC...don't get too skimpy laterally!!! However, don't go overboard either unless you're playing the lightness card (Longhorns this could mean you - Hook 'em up at Gainesville). I reckon the Rules committee had this in mind after seeing last year's, uh, questionable lateral bracing scenarios, same, somewhat in 2006 and 2005...though loadings change.
Top 3 were as follows:
1. North Dakota State -- getting old guys, Fahrvegnügen, just be normal for a change and slack off like the rest of us engineering students who are too good at math, and too shitty at writing to warrant any other kind of degree...C's make degrees fellas...but in all seriousness, the Bison are young, and they showed enormous nerve and resolve having to follow the impressive run by the Cyclones. Great job guys (and gal?). Don't make me whip out the Sausage Factory award for you dudes in Gainesville! The two weeks of practice time really showed, great job working the assemblies. ;-)
2. Iowa State -- had a great time, no idea on the structual numbers, but they did incorporate a lot of doves in the Bridge (pleeeease credit Penn State todos, we stole it from them way back when) and the practice and preparation showed as they drew first blood on the Assembly Site. Very good showing following a pretty imprecise regional Purete de Acero in 2007. But...why paint it dark green flake? is it a Christmas thang?
3. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (no penalty for bad name woo hoo!) -- first in stiffness, but took a little bit too long on the assembly, but kudos for the huevos to not put any builders on the long side...YES, it is possible to assembly with 4 builders, but put some wingspans at barge, and detail your pier to truss/beam/pier-lat cnxns properly, if you want to see if it works...I'd suggest the ex-basketball playing Civils (or MechE's, don't be closed minded, it has always worked like Expelliarmus for us) in the program, or any freaks of nature (a.k.a. pain loving goths) who've survived the Braveheart rack.
No word on the rest of the finishings exactly, but UW-Platteville (still sporting the Wisconsin State Pen jumpsuits), SDSU, Lakehead, Minnesota State-Mankato and the host University of Iowa all failed load tests, either laterally or vertically...duh. The Fighting Sioux of The University of North Dakota did not fail, however, as they were quietly dubbed "El Puente Pequeño que Puede". UND had a very simple bridge, straight out of a statics text book, but the sucker held just fine, so good job there...unfortunately when you come to Davis to play us next fall on the gridiron, you well get your asses handed to you in all the ways that aren't pleasant. 14-2 in 2001 is still sticking in our craw, die Sioux die, just the white people, not the Native Americans, they're all cool with us. Good job though UND, it wasn't an easy load scenario.
Exact numbers won't be detailedd here, mainly, 'cause I quite frankly don't know them exactly, but NDSU and Iowa State put up good times, they'll be pretty fast come Nationals, but, thinking about it, with 2 barges in the mix, everybody with enough preparation and creativity will be able to get a good time -- maybe faster than you thought possible, so get crazy with the Cheez Whiz and get on that shizzle.
Top 10 Random thoughts on the trip to Iowa City:
1. Tighten that bolt NDSU...that's the stiffness problemo right there! Wtf "Professor"?
2. There's a prototypical Iowa Highway Patrolmen just outside of Iowa City waiting for a lifetime Hollywood gig as the essential crewcut, clearheaded IHP cop...74 in a 70? Dude, seriously...the warning wasn't worth yo time, especially with no visable ice on the road for 230 miles. Beeyatch! But seriously,...fark off and be glad I wasn't doing the typical 85 I'd do in Cali.
3. The California Aggies should've yelled Byaaaaaaaah! following their 2007 run.
4. Uhhhhh...it may be cheap to sleep in the rental car from midnight to 6 am in Iowa City...but not recommended, as my huevos are still recovering from frost bite, and not the kind from a cold hearted woman.
5. It's okay to talk to Californians, even if our society is a little bit completely upside down from the Midwest. We're just crazy on the outside...and don't mean no harm, 'cause we're country boys and girls at heart gettin' down on the Farm!!!
6. Iowa City has less cows and way more steakhouses than Davis...friggin' hippies!
7. Don't find yourself on a semi-broke streak and travel halfway across the country...only to find your flight to Cedar Rapids cancelled because of this thing called weather...
8. In the land of cute Asian, Polynesian, and Indian chicas here in Davis, it's refreshing to know that cute white chicks (non-psychos) are still in the mix...at least somewhere.
9. It's just a stupid Steel Bridge, don't be nervous, but please, prepare yourselves.
10. When in Iowa, stop by the Kum and Go. Chatsworth would be so proud!
(this list and blog entry was written under the power of Icehouse/King Cobra ---please pardon the Bush-Speak)."
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Corn and Good wrastlin'
"Well, I'm off to Iowa to get a look at what has been the nation's best Steel Bridge Conference in recent years. I've a feeling Lakehead and NDSU will be neck and neck, but maybe Minnesota and Iowa State will get in the mix. Adios California, hello frozen yellow vegetables...and frozen huevos."
-Matt
-Matt
Seismic Design Competition Results
Straight from New Orleans!
http://www.eeri.org/news/meetings/08AM/#sdc
http://peer.berkeley.edu/students/Seismic.html
UC Davis takes home the
Popov Award for Structural Innovation!!!
http://www.eeri.org/news/meetings/08AM/#sdc
http://peer.berkeley.edu/students/Seismic.html
UC Davis takes home the
Popov Award for Structural Innovation!!!
Go Ags!
..
.
1st Place Overall: University of California, San Diego
2nd Place Overall: University of Texas, Austin
3rd Place Overall: University of Buffalo
Great job all!
updated link( 3/2/08)
..
.1st Place Overall: University of California, San Diego
2nd Place Overall: University of Texas, Austin
3rd Place Overall: University of Buffalo
Great job all!
updated link( 3/2/08)
LA Tech
No, not Los Angeles, Louisiana Tech has some new sparkle to their ASCE page as they prepare for the Deep South in Baton Rouge.
http://www.latech.edu/tech/orgs/asce/
http://www.latech.edu/tech/orgs/asce/
Va Tech Looks to Improve
Following the tragedy, Virginia Tech showed up at Northridge and did extremely well. They'll be solid contenders in 2008. Hokie Up!
VT Hokies
VT Hokies
MIZZOU
A nice recap and a look at the Team who will try to regain the Mid-Con Championship in '08.
http://asce.civil.missouri.edu/htm/teams.htm
http://asce.civil.missouri.edu/htm/teams.htm
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Upstate Kangaroos
Word is that SUNY Canton is already done with fabrication and has begun practice. They don't compete in the Upstate New York until April 14th. Yowzas!
CSUS new pics!
Big Sac has got some great new pics up from their 2007 SBT season.
http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~asce/gal_mp_2007.html
And for any Lafayette Leopards seeing these, yes, Ms. Gilkerson was our Head Judge and will be again here in Davis this year.
http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~asce/gal_mp_2007.html
And for any Lafayette Leopards seeing these, yes, Ms. Gilkerson was our Head Judge and will be again here in Davis this year.
Recaps from Turkey!
KOU MOSTAR
More information on the school here Link
Some vids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaxgfC17tVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7R57_GbFIM
More information on the school here Link
Some vids:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaxgfC17tVM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7R57_GbFIM
On and on and on...
Daret has been getting some timely welds in during the week. We're getting close to the point where we can set up the horizontal system assembly. Still a lot of detail and welding to take care of, but we can do it!
This Saturday we'll use the shop hours for CNXN work and we'll run more construction practice with the old bridge.
This Saturday we'll use the shop hours for CNXN work and we'll run more construction practice with the old bridge.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday Machining Rules
Another Good Saturday, finishing assignment after assignment thanks to the 6 hours we get now on Saturdays. We welded up some doves to the CD's, about 8 down, and 16 to go, but it's a good chunk. Also, made a nice little find in the boneyard as we're currently using a very solid piece of old rusty girder as a flat surface. While the Tinius is being used to teach the minds of 104L, we got ole' rusty!
Also got some preliminary construction practice in, hopefully all those prospective builders know how much time and effort it's gonna take to tinker the sequence down to sub-4 minutes.
Jessica and Matt will try to jig up the outer OT' s on Sunday and get some tacs on 'em. We're shooting for a 3/17 finish, so we'll have to stay focused. Daret permitting during the week, we should be on time we really stick to it.
Let the creativity flow people -- legends are made not born.
Also got some preliminary construction practice in, hopefully all those prospective builders know how much time and effort it's gonna take to tinker the sequence down to sub-4 minutes.
Jessica and Matt will try to jig up the outer OT' s on Sunday and get some tacs on 'em. We're shooting for a 3/17 finish, so we'll have to stay focused. Daret permitting during the week, we should be on time we really stick to it.
Let the creativity flow people -- legends are made not born.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Let's keep it up!
E-Week, while rainy, was still a lot of fun. Big groups of young kids and a few engineering students had some questions for us. At least the incredible paint job for the 2K7 Bridge was on display. Big congrats to that paint job go to Rishi, CQ, Jeff and Jadams. Also thanks to those who made their appearences for the E-Week displays...Mar, CQ, Jeff, Delicious, Alex, Jadams and Leticia, who we want to see a lot more of, managed to come out on her 21st birthday and support the Team.
Woo-hoo! Now back to business. With the advent of Saturday Shop Hours, will be getting so much done today and tomorrow. Still plenty of holes here and there to mill out, as well as various precision mill jobs that need to be taken out. We'll weld some CD doves on Saturday as well, no Tinius beam, but the Maroney Aluminum should do the trick for those members. Hopefully Joe and Faiyaz can make so we can get some straight MIG's on 'em (no offense Delicious, ha ha ha).
Construction walk-throughs will commence on Saturday as well, anybody not in the shop who shows up will work with the 2005 Bridge with the 2008 construction site and go through the motions without any bolts. A basic procedure is needed before we start breaking ice on the Venus.
Until Saturday...ThunderAgs hooooooooooooo!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
UCI Blog
The University of California, Irvine (the sweet paint job from the 2007 NSSBC) appears to have a blog up. Don't know why it took so long to notice this. Irvine, Irrrrrvine, welcome to Irvine...huh huh huh...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
New vid up from 2002
Texas A & M Aggies going at it in the Kohl Center on the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus. Video was taken late June, 2002.
dig those helmets!!!
dig those helmets!!!
E-Week
It looks like mama nature won't give us our time on the Quad today, but we've still got a good three morning hours to show off in front of Bainer tomorrow. Hopefully, we can recruit some new blood and spark some new interest in our project for '09. AND, since the captains don't seem to want to step up to the plate one more time in '08, we could get some new folks in as possible assembly team members...which would be perfect timing since we're planning our first construction walk-throughs this Saturday.
From the fabrication shop, we continue to pound out connection pieces, and precision milled lengths. There's always something and unless we get the Tinius beam back for this Saturday, we'll be without welding jobs for the next two weeks. No big worries, just a shift in focus. We also managed to find a 48" clamp at the Home Depot for the lengthwise DK Female jig on the long pieces. Yay yay, crisis averted.
Quick reminder to all on what we're shooting for:
Come on Aggies, get up and go!!!
From the fabrication shop, we continue to pound out connection pieces, and precision milled lengths. There's always something and unless we get the Tinius beam back for this Saturday, we'll be without welding jobs for the next two weeks. No big worries, just a shift in focus. We also managed to find a 48" clamp at the Home Depot for the lengthwise DK Female jig on the long pieces. Yay yay, crisis averted.
Quick reminder to all on what we're shooting for:
Come on Aggies, get up and go!!!
Monday, February 18, 2008
In 5, 4, 3, .., ..
Thanks to Best Buy we're up and rolling again on the camcorder. Friggin' thieving bastards, hope those dudes get caught.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Blue Hens Rock
A montage from 2007 of The University of Delaware's National bid campaign. Quite the road trip it was...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
"Research"
We've got a test section rigged for tensile ripping. It's for peace of mind really, but we all need a lot more of that eh?
Also, new pics of the progress to come on the UC Davis ASCE website. Hopefully a few candid shots have made the cut, but it doesn't really matter 'cause we're all sexy bitches!!!
Also, new pics of the progress to come on the UC Davis ASCE website. Hopefully a few candid shots have made the cut, but it doesn't really matter 'cause we're all sexy bitches!!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Wowzers!
Unbelievable weekend everybody. Special thanks to Alex, Chris 1, Chris 2, Jessica 1, Jessica 2, Jeff, King Rishi and Joe for coming on Saturday and Sunday. We've got the DK's in 3D mode finally and now it's just fine tuning all our connections and hopefully start TIG welding next Saturday Bill and Daret willing. Filthy Phil also made an appearance and although we weren't quite ready for all the TIG work, he gave us another mechanical's insight on the road ahead. We'll try to get him back in next weekend.
We also put a pimpin' paint job on the 2007 bridge. It's really poppin' Chrome and Blue like never before (well silver and blue really). Ready for E-Week recruitment baby, bring on the freshies and sophies.
Still to do in the shop...
Female DK Connection fix (thanks Joe)
DK Male Seats
Precision Mill Outer OT'
Precision Mill Pier C's
Make sure we have enough cross braces for OT Frames. (4.5")
CD doves, ~1/32 to 1/16 underengagement preferred
A.G.S. doves on OT (3/4" tall ones alligned in jig)
Star shims for DK females, about three ought to do it.
Begin Cutting Lateral Pieces
Cut/Custom Fit Outer DK pieces
Pier/dk Cnxn Seats
Lathe project for Outer OT Cnxns
...probably more after that...(geez ya think?)
Immediate welding in the forseeable future...
MIG:
OT Frames
Pier Lats (custom boxes to length)
TIG:
DK Cnxns
Pier C's
Crank to OT Frame
Outer OT's
Keep on keepin' on Chrome-O's. No rest for the weary.
(don't forget to study)
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
(whistle whistle)
All's business here. Phil's coming in on Saturday to TIG the outer OT's, and possibly the C Piers if there's time (there won't be)
Here's a little TechnoViking for morale... (though I believe he's German, I think Viks would kill their own if they saw one of them doing this Etard dance, he's pretty friggin' yolked though)
Here's a little TechnoViking for morale... (though I believe he's German, I think Viks would kill their own if they saw one of them doing this Etard dance, he's pretty friggin' yolked though)
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Gettin' Crazy With the Cheese Whiz
Fabrication continues here as we are constantly updating the bridge for faster sequences and eliminating wasted material in certain details. We'll have a first tensile test of our new DK connection style by next week, and we'll weld DK frames this Saturday. CD's have been welded. Faiyaz and Joe are very handy with the MIG, the welds are near flawless considering the material they're working with. All good signs here. Preliminary practices out in front of Bainer will start in mid to late February if we're focused.
Friday, January 25, 2008
We are...
...Penn State! Incredible new site for the Nittany Lions of the Mid-Atlantic Conference.
http://www.engr.psu.edu/asce/
http://www.engr.psu.edu/asce/
Sharks with Guns
Impressive 2007 NSSBC finisher, Lafayette College will be hosting the 2008 Mid-Atlantic and it looks like they're attempting to revamp their website. Groovy!
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~asce/
http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~asce/
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
USF up and running again
The University of South Florida is again, ahead of the SE Conference by quite a bit...
USF Bulls Getting it Done
Oh wait, outsourcing fabrication???
That's how you get ahead huh?
Well, at least the University of Oregon doesn't have an engineering department ;-p
USF Bulls Getting it Done
Oh wait, outsourcing fabrication???
That's how you get ahead huh?
Well, at least the University of Oregon doesn't have an engineering department ;-p
Project Management
Practice helps just as much as getting a perfect fabrication completed. Manage your Steel Bridge Project ahead of schedule and you will compete at a higher level come regionals.
From Austin ASCE Newsletter - Dec. 2007:
"The Steel Bridge team is preparing for the Texas-Mexico regional competition which will be held in Beaumont, Texas January 18-19. After finishing 6th place at Nationals last year in Los Angeles, CA out of nearly 200 universities, top 10 in every category, and with a near full team returning, the team is prepared to perform at the same caliber this year. For the first time ever, the team will be finishing fabrication before Christmas."
http://www.austinasce.org/Newsletters/Dec07.htm
Push the pace and get it done at least 2 weeks early, that should give you enough time to load test, fix any structural problems/issues thereafter, and practice for at least 5 days before regionals. It truly helps! Get 'em done on time!
From Austin ASCE Newsletter - Dec. 2007:
"The Steel Bridge team is preparing for the Texas-Mexico regional competition which will be held in Beaumont, Texas January 18-19. After finishing 6th place at Nationals last year in Los Angeles, CA out of nearly 200 universities, top 10 in every category, and with a near full team returning, the team is prepared to perform at the same caliber this year. For the first time ever, the team will be finishing fabrication before Christmas."
http://www.austinasce.org/Newsletters/Dec07.htm
Push the pace and get it done at least 2 weeks early, that should give you enough time to load test, fix any structural problems/issues thereafter, and practice for at least 5 days before regionals. It truly helps! Get 'em done on time!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Word from Beaumont
2008 Tex Mex Regional SBC Homepage
It seems the Longhorns are primed to prove 2007 was not a fluke as they've appeared to have stomped out the Tex Mex competition quite comfortably at Lamar University yesterday. The Texas A & M Aggies came in second and will make yet another run into the heart of NSSBC country in Gainesville. Word from those present is that The University of Texas will be in the Top 5...with all this time to practice they could very well be the 2008 NSSBC Champ.
Two of the 12 possible teams in Beaumont had load failures prior to competition so only 2 have qualified. Keep those puentes sturdy out there people. The loading has only gotten worse since Northridge.
Other notes (updated 1/25/08): UT San Antonio finished 3rd. 4th was the University of Houston. 5th went to Universidad La Salle Cuernavaca. Two other teams (beams apparently) had load failures. Two other teams on top of that were not given permission to proceed to final loading status because of excessive sway. TAMUK had a load failure prior to competition. UTEP seemed missing in action from competition with no real explanation.
Well, we're off and running, and the Longhorns have set the pace. Can you keep up?
Round 1 of
Hook 'em
is in the books!
It seems the Longhorns are primed to prove 2007 was not a fluke as they've appeared to have stomped out the Tex Mex competition quite comfortably at Lamar University yesterday. The Texas A & M Aggies came in second and will make yet another run into the heart of NSSBC country in Gainesville. Word from those present is that The University of Texas will be in the Top 5...with all this time to practice they could very well be the 2008 NSSBC Champ.
Two of the 12 possible teams in Beaumont had load failures prior to competition so only 2 have qualified. Keep those puentes sturdy out there people. The loading has only gotten worse since Northridge.
Other notes (updated 1/25/08): UT San Antonio finished 3rd. 4th was the University of Houston. 5th went to Universidad La Salle Cuernavaca. Two other teams (beams apparently) had load failures. Two other teams on top of that were not given permission to proceed to final loading status because of excessive sway. TAMUK had a load failure prior to competition. UTEP seemed missing in action from competition with no real explanation.
Well, we're off and running, and the Longhorns have set the pace. Can you keep up?
Round 1 of
Hook 'em
is in the books!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
NDSU reflects on 5th Crown
With the Tex-Mex Conference set to kick off the 2008 Steel Bridge season this Saturday in Beaumont, TX, the 2007 NSSBC Champ is firing in the shop to prep for the toughest regional SB Conference in the Midwest. No doubt, the Fargo Bison will be bringing it to the table in '08. Ya betcha!
http://www.acm.ndsu.nodak.edu/~amersoci/STEEL%20BRIDGE.htm
http://www.acm.ndsu.nodak.edu/~amersoci/STEEL%20BRIDGE.htm
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
March to March
Well it's about 2 months until our desired finish date. Fabrication continues to excel as the new blood are putting in mondo hours in the shop. Our second steel order is going through to Pennsylvania today or tomorrow. The DK material is on backorder from Illinois and should be here by the end of the month hopefully...without kinks and without any other spoils.
Mainly we've been doing the connection work which is the most important. Welding will commence on our initial DK section when we've got some connection pieces finished up from the shop.
Matt is contemplating attending the Tex-Mex Conference this weekend. Hopefully ex-Chico SBT designer Chin will be able to accomodate the transportation to Beaumont. Chin's now working on his M.S. at Texas A & M.
Mainly we've been doing the connection work which is the most important. Welding will commence on our initial DK section when we've got some connection pieces finished up from the shop.
Matt is contemplating attending the Tex-Mex Conference this weekend. Hopefully ex-Chico SBT designer Chin will be able to accomodate the transportation to Beaumont. Chin's now working on his M.S. at Texas A & M.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Tex Mex 2008
We've received word that the Tex Mex Conference is set to go the weekend of January 18, 19 & 20th, not the week after like on the ASCE site.
Thanks for the heads up Texas Aggies!
Newslink about Lamar University hosting 2008 TxMxSBT Conference:
http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_5998.htm
Thanks for the heads up Texas Aggies!
Newslink about Lamar University hosting 2008 TxMxSBT Conference:
http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/news/207_5998.htm
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
2K8!!!
The New Year is upon us, and true to form we're working hard to hit the ground running this week and on into our annual fabrication quarter...our finish date is set for St. Patrick's Day 2K8. We'll celebrate with a little Guinness and of course, those lovely finals. It's always hard to remember that we came to Davis to do some fancy book learnin' on top of making cool shit.
We've got loads to accomplish and lots of practice to break into so let's get on it people and ram it home!
We've got loads to accomplish and lots of practice to break into so let's get on it people and ram it home!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
ASCE Student Conferences 2008
A list of all Regional ASCE/AISC Conferences is shown here.
http://content.asce.org/student/conferences.html
Looks like ASCE has finally updated their student section on their site.
Possible trips for us: Iowa City, IA -- Orlando, FL -- Beaumont, TX -- Easton, PA -- Baton Rouge, LA...any advanced offering for lodging or knowledge exchange would be appreciated!!! All who wish to venture to Davis, CA can sleep at Matt's house, no worries about a hotel or a rental car within the city, all taken care of if you get in touch with Chrome Ollie.
Oh, Oh wait, dude check this out! Lamar University is hosting the Tex-Mex and it has been pushed all the way back to January 26th!!! That's like one more week of preparation than usual. Woohoo! Awesome! Do we really need to say we'll be rooting for down there?
GO AGS!
http://content.asce.org/student/conferences.html
Looks like ASCE has finally updated their student section on their site.
Possible trips for us: Iowa City, IA -- Orlando, FL -- Beaumont, TX -- Easton, PA -- Baton Rouge, LA...any advanced offering for lodging or knowledge exchange would be appreciated!!! All who wish to venture to Davis, CA can sleep at Matt's house, no worries about a hotel or a rental car within the city, all taken care of if you get in touch with Chrome Ollie.
Oh, Oh wait, dude check this out! Lamar University is hosting the Tex-Mex and it has been pushed all the way back to January 26th!!! That's like one more week of preparation than usual. Woohoo! Awesome! Do we really need to say we'll be rooting for down there?
GO AGS!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Grrrrrrr!
Okay, so half of our DK stock is pinch bent near the ends in a pretty shitty way. We'll have to send some of this back and get some straighter stuff asap. Good news is Chris and Jessica are downright annihilating the connection blanks. We've also found a way to cut about 20% of the DK connection weight without sacrificing integrity...AND we may get to use the EDM machine for possible dovetail scenarios (if crash program is needed). Score one for the rounded doves (if we need them).
(if we need them)....
(if we need them).... (please dear God no! we won't need them it's okay, this will work, this will work...)
(if we need them)....
(if we need them).... (please dear God no! we won't need them it's okay, this will work, this will work...)
Monday, December 17, 2007
Feliz Navidad de Wisconsin!
The Badgers are ready to rumble on the 7th.
Great job Wisconsin!
http://www.engr.wisc.edu/studentorgs/bridge/
Great job Wisconsin!
http://www.engr.wisc.edu/studentorgs/bridge/
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wow
Big thanks to the lads and lassies in Highland. They got us our big steel order about 20 days faster than we thought it would take. Good call Delicious!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ink Lizzard
CO alum (2003-2005) Liz Rider has now attained the position of Newsletter Editor for the Sacramento Section Younger Member Forum. Way to go Liz!
...
...
Seen below at YMF's Holiday Party with Philthy Phil who's now at Kiewit (and trying to look interested about civil engineers talking "shop"...Ha!).
...
To any younguns out there in the Sac Valley who're outta school - go to these events, and mix it up with your own kind!!! YMF Sac Section Link (sacymf.org)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Rumble, Young Team, Rumble
80% of our steel order has gone through and we look to begin the bulk of our cutting and precision milling come January 2nd, 2008! In the meantime Jessica, Joe and whoever else is about, will continue to push on what dovetail work we have, original estimates forgot that things get doubled when you're working in pairs...so plenty more blanks to get ready...as well as a bunch of groovie aluminum jigs to help us keep things super precisio! Good luck with Finals all, they suck, yes, but you don't get paid without the degree...unless you work the street, and that sucks more so deal with it.
Until hell week freezes over...geez it's kinda cold, maybe it'll freeze over before we think it will.
Latuz out there...keep it real homies.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Chopped Top
We're currently chopping down the OT to do two things:
1. Create a bridge more conducive for constructors of all heights.
2. Help bolt consolodation along the DK rail.
Should help - we'll lose a bit stiffness perhaps, but overall not much is changing.
Creative Adjustments = Good Times!
=
1. Create a bridge more conducive for constructors of all heights.
2. Help bolt consolodation along the DK rail.
Should help - we'll lose a bit stiffness perhaps, but overall not much is changing.
Creative Adjustments = Good Times!
=
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Walley's World
Good news from Chrome O alum Jennifer Walley.
On the verge of finishing her M.S. here at UC Davis, Cyco JW has received word she has been accepted into the Materials Science and Engineering Department Ph.D program at Georgia Tech.
Still waiting word from Ohio State's Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D program...
Woo Hoo!
On the verge of finishing her M.S. here at UC Davis, Cyco JW has received word she has been accepted into the Materials Science and Engineering Department Ph.D program at Georgia Tech.
Still waiting word from Ohio State's Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D program...
Woo Hoo!
Decemburrrrrr!!!!
While it's finally raining outside, we're as dry and focused in the shop as we've ever been.
Jessica and Matt decided to use the flanges that Joe and Rishi set up for the actual bridge, so we're already off and running. The main steel order from Highland will go in hopefully no later than Wednesday, December 5th. There is a "special" order going into PA, that we'll run off one of our personal Credit Cards because the supplier is still working in the middle ages...great for any true forging blacksmith though!
...
When that stuff comes in, we should be set to work with it. In the meantime we'll continue to press in the shop...teaching newbies the ropes as we go, while the returners and those with experience, will work on new pieces for real. We have no Tinius beam as of yet, but the quarter's almost over so no worries. We'll just cut and get all pieces ready in the meantime.
Matt and all those interested will finalize all details for the OT and DK. The mockup of the DK will be completed on a smaller scale, but we need a bit more flange tube to see how we can fab it. The protocol for the DK will be interesting, but perhaps with some precision aluminum pieces, it won't be as painful as we previously thought it would.
...
Meeting tonight, as with all Tuesdays in 1203/1205 Bainer. Besides just sitting and talking about jacko shizzo, we'll actually use these late open hours in the Student Shop to go in for an hour and a half to witness some of the basic mill, lathe, saw, and plasma cutting operations. Should be fun so come one come all!
Work for what you get Ags. Ain't nobody going to do it for you. Ain't nobody going to give you a damn thing. It's your Bridge, you can do it!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Oh Venuuuus...
We've come to a consensus on the "Venus" Design.
As of right now we are finalizing all section sizes from our detailed analytical models in SAP2000. We will send out for the steel order to our supplier in Highland this week.
Currently we are fabricating a m0ck up of our keystone to see how workable it is for construction, but rather than over analyze anything, we're pretty sure we'll learn how to deal with it. The key will be getting the bridge done in a quality fashion as soon as possible. Right now things are looking good because we're about 6 weeks ahead of our typical schedule so that'll mean 6 more weeks of practice right?
We're also going to start work on that DK model. We'll have to fabricate some custom aluminum spacers since it's such a major part of the bridge. When we've perfected the DK fabrication sequence we should be good to roll...AND if we find any trouble spots, we could conceivably switch our connection design to a dovetail/pin hybrid to make it work. It should be overly stout, however, as usual.
Construction sequencing can also commence as we've got a construction site that we'll work with some older Chrome Ollie models. The basic thing we'll have to figure out is "barge to builder interaction" and what will be quick vs. what will be too complicated.
It's always a good thing to keep those old models handy for early construction progression...good for the new people to have something in their hands rather than a baptism by fire in March or April.
Things are looking good here. Hope anybody reading is off to a good start too.
No Pain No Gain Aggies.
As of right now we are finalizing all section sizes from our detailed analytical models in SAP2000. We will send out for the steel order to our supplier in Highland this week.
Currently we are fabricating a m0ck up of our keystone to see how workable it is for construction, but rather than over analyze anything, we're pretty sure we'll learn how to deal with it. The key will be getting the bridge done in a quality fashion as soon as possible. Right now things are looking good because we're about 6 weeks ahead of our typical schedule so that'll mean 6 more weeks of practice right?
We're also going to start work on that DK model. We'll have to fabricate some custom aluminum spacers since it's such a major part of the bridge. When we've perfected the DK fabrication sequence we should be good to roll...AND if we find any trouble spots, we could conceivably switch our connection design to a dovetail/pin hybrid to make it work. It should be overly stout, however, as usual.
Construction sequencing can also commence as we've got a construction site that we'll work with some older Chrome Ollie models. The basic thing we'll have to figure out is "barge to builder interaction" and what will be quick vs. what will be too complicated.
It's always a good thing to keep those old models handy for early construction progression...good for the new people to have something in their hands rather than a baptism by fire in March or April.
Things are looking good here. Hope anybody reading is off to a good start too.
No Pain No Gain Aggies.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Decisions
Our last batch of runs from Saturday didn't give us any amazing answers. We'll have to discuss the numbers and talk about the scoring and see what it is we really want our bridge to perform to. 0.15" better stiffness, 15 pounds lighter, or do we want to go for broke on speed...hmmm that loading is the damn juggernaut bitch! We'll just have to talk Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday...
Steel Orders go out the Monday after Thanksgiving...during which time we'll be working on our DK prototype. If we need to change the connection back to doves, we'll know soon enough.
"Don't you know who the f#@! I am?"
Are you a f'n ass?
Steel Orders go out the Monday after Thanksgiving...during which time we'll be working on our DK prototype. If we need to change the connection back to doves, we'll know soon enough.
"Don't you know who the f#@! I am?"
Are you a f'n ass?
Friday, November 16, 2007
Round Robin Saturday
AutoCAD, Construction Prep/Practice, Analysis, Welding and General Fabrication, we'll have a Round Robin of Steel Bridge stuff this Saturday.
Start up @ 9:30 a.m. - come earlier if you're a gamer.
GO AGS!
Start up @ 9:30 a.m. - come earlier if you're a gamer.
GO AGS!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Fab has begun
Hey dudes and dudettes,
Joe has commenced work on the steel racks for the Loft, and Miss Delicious has begun dovetail work. We're off and running. Woo hoo!
Homer says!
Joe has commenced work on the steel racks for the Loft, and Miss Delicious has begun dovetail work. We're off and running. Woo hoo!
Homer says!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Meetingz
Yo yo yo, Chrome-O,
Returners are meeting tonight, Thursday 11/8, in 1203/1205 @ 5:00 p.m. to watch film on the 2005 Steel Bridge run in Orlando. We're worried about being able to bail away from the bridge if a barge gets stuck on the inside. Hopefully Mr. Fleck and Turndawg will be discussing some preliminary fabrication projects to take shape this Friday and next week. We'll need to order material for the DK mock up.
This Saturday, 11/10, we'll have an informal meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to discuss connections, construction and the upcoming month where we'll need to get into it for real. The design will be finished by 11/20 - there will be one last analysis session on 11/17 (vs. Univ. of San Diego for the football team at home by the way) to run the most detailed models of our design choices. We'll determine our fate Sunday 11/18 and then sleep on it for two more nights, then make our final decision on the meeting for Tuesday 11/20, right before Turkey break.
ALSO, FYI --- There will be a second rules quiz next Tuesday 11/13. This one will be written with about 30 or 40 multiple choice/TorF questions. We'll discuss the answers and make sure we're ALL getting a grasp for this years boundaries and regulations...yes...Rules suck, but there as important as making a perfect bridge, in fact, we can't make a perfect bridge without them.
Until then, study hard, midterms suck, but No Pain No Gain.
Reach For the Sky Big Ags!
Matt might get his first cut this Saturday at Urban Body...be there to witness the agony.
Returners are meeting tonight, Thursday 11/8, in 1203/1205 @ 5:00 p.m. to watch film on the 2005 Steel Bridge run in Orlando. We're worried about being able to bail away from the bridge if a barge gets stuck on the inside. Hopefully Mr. Fleck and Turndawg will be discussing some preliminary fabrication projects to take shape this Friday and next week. We'll need to order material for the DK mock up.
This Saturday, 11/10, we'll have an informal meeting from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to discuss connections, construction and the upcoming month where we'll need to get into it for real. The design will be finished by 11/20 - there will be one last analysis session on 11/17 (vs. Univ. of San Diego for the football team at home by the way) to run the most detailed models of our design choices. We'll determine our fate Sunday 11/18 and then sleep on it for two more nights, then make our final decision on the meeting for Tuesday 11/20, right before Turkey break.
ALSO, FYI --- There will be a second rules quiz next Tuesday 11/13. This one will be written with about 30 or 40 multiple choice/TorF questions. We'll discuss the answers and make sure we're ALL getting a grasp for this years boundaries and regulations...yes...Rules suck, but there as important as making a perfect bridge, in fact, we can't make a perfect bridge without them.
Until then, study hard, midterms suck, but No Pain No Gain.
Reach For the Sky Big Ags!
Matt might get his first cut this Saturday at Urban Body...be there to witness the agony.
Friday, November 02, 2007
USF Bulls
Think all that USF has is an upstart football team looking to prove itself? Wrong! They've got a pretty decent Steel Bridge Team that's still trying to break it's way through the hyper-competitive Southeast Conference en route to Gainesville this season.
Daaaaa Bulls!
USF SBT Google Group here.
Daaaaa Bulls!
USF SBT Google Group here.
LTU
The North Central Conferences' Lawrence Technological University is up and running for 2008.
LTU (2nd Place Lightness - 2007 NSSBC)
LTU (2nd Place Lightness - 2007 NSSBC)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
11/3 - Causeway Saturday
We're most likely taking this Saturday off. Midterms next week, and we're in a good position analytically so we won't need to press so much. Our best design so far is a very ambitious model. We'll need to brainstorm fabrication techniques before we make the decision to go ahead with it, but it's buildable. A few old school "Penn State" tricks might be in store to make the design easier to build.
After midterms are basically over, we'll go ahead and mock up a connection in the real for the DK and the OT. It should be pretty basic, but without tapered doves, we'll have to be that much more precise and make sure everything is easy to work with assembly-wise...otherwise it isn't worth the effort. The main purpose of the new connections is for speed, not only during assembly, but in the shop. Round one coming soon folks, get fabrication assignments from Miss Delicious aka Jessica Revell.
Go Ags! Swat them Hornets!
After midterms are basically over, we'll go ahead and mock up a connection in the real for the DK and the OT. It should be pretty basic, but without tapered doves, we'll have to be that much more precise and make sure everything is easy to work with assembly-wise...otherwise it isn't worth the effort. The main purpose of the new connections is for speed, not only during assembly, but in the shop. Round one coming soon folks, get fabrication assignments from Miss Delicious aka Jessica Revell.
Go Ags! Swat them Hornets!
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