Optimum Design and Fabrication of a Scaled Steel Bridge for the 2015 ASCE Student Steel Bridge Competition

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Steel Bridge Competition is an inter-collegiate competition including design, fabrication, and construction of a scaled steel bridge. The scaled steel bridge will act as a model to demonstrate its concept. Under simulated field conditions, the bridge will be erected and tested for stability, strength, and serviceability using standardized lateral and vertical loads. The competition will take place at the 2015 ASCE Southeast Student Conference March 19-21, 2015, at the University of Tennessee. The objective of this study is to develop the optimum scaled steel bridge having the high strength to weight ratio using the advanced FE analyses. A widely used structural analyses program, SAP2000, will be used in this study. FE modeling incorporates nonlinear incremental analysis procedures and a nonlinear stress-strain relationship of steel in order to utilize the ultimate strength of the system and material. The optimization process will be based on the parametric studies of the strength/deflection to weight ratio. Students will gain experience of design, construction planning, fabrication procedures, networking and competing against other colleges and universities, as well as awareness of real-world engineering issues. A 3D computer-aided design software, SolidWorks, will be used as the shop drawing of the steel bridge. Professional fabricators will build the bridge and the students will develop and practice an accelerated bridge construction procedure to reduce the construction time to a minimum. Highly valuable points will be earned at competition by lowering the construction time as much as possible. ASCE provides a problem statement, included in the competition rules, that relates to realistic challenges encountered in bridge design and construction. The scope of the bridge contract provides information on topography, required dimensions, and more. The model will be judged by multiple criteria including strength, durability, constructability, usability, functionality, stiffness, construction speed, efficiency, economy, and attractiveness. The contract will be awarded to the team whose model satisfies the specified requirements and best achieves the objectives, establishing the team as a leader in (Accelerated Bridge Construction) ABC in a challenging environment