AISC National Student Steel Bridge Competition

Michael Brown, the 2008-2009 ASCE Student Chapter Steel Bridge Chair notes that the 2008-2009 year's Steel Bridge team experienced something that nobody in Bradley's Civil Engineering and Construction department has ever experienced before.  Getting invited to the National Student Steel Bridge Competition was a true honor to the entire program.  Following the Regional competition at South Bend, IN, the team completed some modifications to the bridge's headboards which proved to be a crucial adjustment in cutting the deflection from 1.3 inches at the Regional to 0.73 inches at Nationals! They were also able to cut the assembly time by nearly 2 minutes.

In most categories, except the weight of the bridge, we were competitive with the other schools. The new paint job received many compliments from both judges and even other competing school members.  Going to the national competition in Las Vegas, Nevada was an experience second to none and it would not have been achievable without the support of Dr. Al-Khafaji and the CEC Department, A Lucas & Son, Kenny Construction, and many well-wishers.  Michael Brown notes that this support has allowed students' dreams to become a reality while better preparing them for the future.