Event: ConcrEate

Building a Popsicle Stick Bridge

The Goal:
To build the strongest possible bridge to take a load of minimum 10kg, using wooden
popsicle sticks.

Event details:
1. Construction of a Supported Deck Arch Bridge involves sequential construction of
the three major components: the cables, the pillars and the deck structure.
2. The deck should have a 630 mm span (i.e the end to end pillar distance) + a min.
Deck clearance of 30 mm on each side.
3. The width of the transverse span of the bridge should be at least 120 mm so that it
fits in the grooves of the platform.
4. A loaded trolley will be moved along the deck of the bridge. The width of deck at
any length should be greater than or equal to 120mm. The width will be measured
at any length of the bridge.
5. The bridge must have a level, seamlessly constructed roadway. The deck will be
subjected to concentrated/movable loads along the deck of the bridge.
6. Only 70 supporting and two main cables can be used. String used by cobbler is only
permitted that too without applying wax on it.
Arena:
1. A wooden platform will be provided by the organizers consisting of four grooves.
2. The structure will be mounted on the 4 grooves. Each groove is 30 mm x 30 mm
with a depth of 20 mm. Distance between the centres of the two grooves is 600 mm
along the length of the deck & 90 mm in transverse direction of deck.
3. The image of the arena will be uploaded soon.

Rules:

General rules:
1. Structure could be of absolutely any shape satisfying the above constraints
2. Once the structure is weighed, you are not allowed to modify your structure in
any way
3. If the structure fails to satisfy any of the above constraints then it will be
summarily rejected
4. Any team that is not ready at the time specified will be disqualified immediately
5. Judges' decision shall be final and binding on all
6. The organizers reserve all rights to change any or all of the above rules as
they deem fit. Change in rules, if any will be conveyed properly.

Team specifications:
A team may consist of a maximum of 2 members. Students from different branches or
courses can form a Team.

Compliance:
At check-in, event Organizers will evaluate each bridge. Bridges will be weighed,
measured, and reviewed for compliance with rules regarding materials. If a bridge does
not comply with any of the rules,
1. Bridges that are completed but do not meet the construction guidelines will be
given a chance to make any necessary alterations.
2. 2. No alterations will be allowed unless deemed necessary by the Judges. If such
alterations are required, the team will be allowed fifteen (15) minutes to complete
them. The decisions of the Organizers are final.
Testing:

Round 1
1. The bridge will be checked by the organizers regarding span, clearance and material
constraints.
2. The bridge will be weighed and fixed in the platform provided.

The bridge satisfying all the conditions of round 1 will be allowed for round 2.

Round 2
1. A trolley with a load in it (Total weight of the load and trolley will be 10 Kg) will
be moved on to the deck from one tower to the other and then will be brought to the
center of the bridge.
2. The trolley will be fabricated and provided by the organizers.
3. The loads applied will be gradually increased on the trolley placed at centre of
bridge till the failure occurs.
4. Testing of the structure will involve the measurement of deflection of the deck
when the centre of loaded trolley reaches the centre of the deck as marked by the
participant on the deck and checked by the organizer.

A mark on the trolley will denote the centre of the trolley.

Definition of Failure
1. Structure fails to satisfy any of the constraints specified above.
2. Structure breaks at any joint or is not in a condition to carry the load over it.
3. The deflection at the centre of bridge reaches 4 cm.

Judging criteria
Scoring for Round 1:
1. Round 1 carries 10 marks.
2. The marks will be awarded on the basis of appearance & good handicraft.
Scoring for Round 2:
1. A best team clearing all the criteria of second round can gain a maximum of 80
points. The best team with highest score will be declared winner.
How to start?
 First of all make a drawing of your design in a suitable ratio including top view,
front view, side view and isometric view.
 Designing on software Auto CAD shows that a triangle is best structure for
sustaining load. The brief study of TRUSSES can help you a lot to design your
bridge.
 Joining two sticks with glue is a good idea but lightness should be the target for a
smart bridge. Do not underestimate the strength of a popsicle stick and also do not
overestimate the load (10kg).
 Break your design into three parts- pillar, deck and cables.
 Starting with pillars, they should be light in weight and made with the help of
trusses only. This is not a rule but advisable.
 Pillars should have broad base and should not touch the deck.
 Joining all four pillars with proper trusses could be a good idea.
 Trim all sticks according to your need and bind them properly if you are extending
the length of the stick.
 Coming to deck, make it as strong as you can. The deck is the one which will
sustain the load at first and then transfer it to the cables which will eventually
grounded by the pillars.
 Instead of using truss in an innovative way is not advisable. Just join sticks
together, bind them up till required length and repeat this for increasing the
thickness of the deck. Though innovations are invited and will be welcomed
enthusiastically.
 Bending is the main problem of deck. If you increase the thickness of the deck, it
will buckle by its own weight and if you make it thin, buckling will occur while
loading. Optimism should be there. The entire event is all about it.
  Bending occurs due to wrong method of joining the sticks. You can lengthen the
bridge by joining sticks in parallel and perpendicular direction of the direction in
which the load moves. Check out the right method by straining your brain cells.
 Cables are the one which transfer all load from the deck to the pillars.
 Pillars should be provided with extensions, keeping a view in mind that pillars
cannot touch the deck at any point.
 The cables will be attached to a main cable, which will rest on the pillar extensions.
 You can avoid the main cable and can directly attach the deck to pillar extensions
with the help of cables. Both designs have their pros and cons. Choose the best one
for you.

What to do?
1. Trim the sticks according to your need.
2. Do not apply more glue to join the sticks. Press the sticks after joining them by
glue. Make sure that all cables are in tension and pillars are in compression. Do
testing by yourself as it can give you the new ideas to improve your design. Follow
the dimension criteria strictly. At least start making your bridge a week before the
event.

What not to do?

1. Innovative ideas will be welcomed but brilliant exploitation of loophole can pave
you out from the event.
2. Application of wax or any strengthening material to cables.
3. Application of Fevi quick to join sticks or cables.