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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 12, 2006 Kathleen McPartland For an unprecedented 10th consecutive year, California State University, Chico civil engineering students have earned a berth at the National Steel Bridge Competition. The team and its adviser, Joel Arthur, professor of civil engineering, will be traveling to Salt Lake City for the national competition on Memorial Day weekend. Their goal is to best UC Davis, who was last year's national champion. Chico placed 8th overall last year. The American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Institute of Steel Construction sponsor the annual event. Chico's team competed against seven schools from Northern California, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Sacramento State, to earn their berth at the national competition. The competition requires that student teams from each university fabricate a dimensionally scaled bridge from structural steel and then construct their bridge over an imaginary 11-foot-wide river with a 5-foot-wide parkway in a single span. The Chico team used advanced computer modeling and design techniques to analyze and design a steel bridge to meet construction specifications. Chico's 21-foot-long, 200-pound steel bridge easily supported the 2,500 pounds of loading. Five students assembled the bridge in 14 minutes, which helped the team advance to Nationals. Competitors carry bridge sections from the staging areas, located on each side of the river, to the assembly area to complete the assembly of the 48-piece bridge. The total construction time is obtained by multiplying the number of competitors and the assembly time; time penalties are accrued for such things as dropping bolts or touching the river. After assembly, the bridge is moved to a loading station where movement up or down (deflection) is measured for two loading challenges with a total of 2,500 pounds. Deflections are measured at three different points and times in the loading process to come up with an aggregate score. After surviving the loading tests, the bridge is weighed, completing the competition. Awards are given based on the three numbers from construction: speed of construction, total deflection and weight (lighter is better). "The competition is unparalleled as a learning experience," said Arthur. "It requires students to apply and test theoretical concepts related to the analysis, design, construction and performance optimization of structures." Team captains Jeff Rabo and Tanner Michelli, and chief designer Chin Leung, along with team members Bill Boriollo, Jason Barnum, Rob Osborn, Matt Gross, Matt Schott, Justin Schmaljohann, Guy Hopes, Megan Carter, Steve Soldati, Aaron Chamberlin, Lauren Slingsby, Scott Doolittle and Cody Cruz are busy modifying the bridge design to make it even more competitive at the national competition. Technicians Jim Luallen and Mike Renwick provide guidance and assistance to the team throughout the construction process. For further information, contact Arthur at 530-898-4292. ### 
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