Hawaii Section PGF 2014 STUDENT OUTREACH Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition September 22, 2014 Glenn Miyasato ASCE Hawaii Section

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 What is it?  Annual competition between teams of middle school students  Part of University of Hawaii Engineering Expo  Teams provided with the following items:  Popsicle Sticks  Elmer’s Glue  Rules (Design and Construction Criteria)  The challenge:  Build a bridge with the greatest strength to weight ratio  Present the team’s design and construction process

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Our Goals  Inspire students to pursue a career in civil engineering  Promote teamwork, technical growth and communication skills  Foster interaction between students/teachers and CE community  Provide activity engaging the student chapter, YMF and section

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Competition Rules  Up to four members per team  Can enter only one bridge  Must do a presentation  More in rules handout >

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Bridge Building Rules - Materials  4½ by 3/8 by 1/12 inch popsicle sticks  oz. bottles of Elmer’s Glue-All  Joints can only be glued  Pinned and slotted joints are not allowed  Total weight cannot exceed 1 pound 4 oz.

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Bridge Building Rules - Dimensions  2 ft min span  Width: 4” to 5½”  Height: 3½”to 5”  No part of the bridge below deck level  3 by 3½ inch block must pass through

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Bridge Dimensions Sketch

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Testing Devices to Meet Specifications

Hawaii Section PGF 2014  Planning/Improvements:March through December  Purchase Materials:August (back to school sales)  Notify Teachers:September (fundraising)  Mail out Materials:December  Competition: March Annual Schedule

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Competition Day  Registration: 9:00 a.m. (40 teams maximum)  Presentations:9:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  Load Testing:9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Teams rotate through 5 station checks  Only students allowed in presentation/load test areas

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Competition Area

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Station 1: Registration

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Station 2: Photo

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Station 3: Presentation

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 The Presentation  Team makes 5-10 minute oral presentation prior to load test  Presentation includes the following items:  How was the bridge design (shape of truss) chosen  What was the most difficult part of designing the bridge  What was the most difficult part of building the bridge  What is the expected behavior (which members in tension, compression)  What they learned from the design and construction process  What they learned from the competition  3 to 4 pairs of judges (preferably SEs) judge each team  Judges ask questions and fill out score card with criteria

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Judges Scorecard

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Team Presentations

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Station 4: Dimension Check/Weigh-In

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Station 5: Load Test Previous Current  Bridges span to steel load test frames

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Centering the Bridge Loading Bar  Load applied with 2 inch wide steel bar  Loading bar straddles the bridge centerline at deck level  Bridge must be constructed to accommodate loading bar

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Loading  Steel weights and sand are loaded into container by YMF and student chapter  Sand is loaded into container at a slow rate by Team

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Fail!  Bridge “fails” when load container touches ground

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Fail?

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Fail?

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Lean

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Fail!

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Results and Awards  1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place awards are given for  Highest load carrying capacity to weight ratio  Best Presentation  2014 Best Presentation  Mililani Middle (A 3D Bridge)  Central Middle (Infinite)  Molokai Middle (Rastafaris)

Hawaii Section PGF Load Test Results

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Budget Popsicle Bridge Building Contest $ teams New equipment, replacements and repairs $250.00Bridge checking tools; replacement signs (does not include safety glasses and load test frames) Popsicle Sticks$ Elmer's Glue$ Copies of Rules$70.00 Shipping Boxes$0.00Free from USPS Postage$0.00UH to cover costs Registration Materials$0.00Donated by Akinaka Certificate Paper and Ink$0.00Donated by KAI Hawaii Trophies$0.00UH to cover costs Delineators/Ribbon$0.00Donated by GP Roadway Solutions

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Highlights  Creative presentations  Real time posting of load test results on screen  Team loading and recognition during load test  Audience enthusiasm and excitement during load test

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Future Improvements  Follow up with teacher/principals to fuel enthusiasm  Notify teachers in a timely manner  Encourage media publicity  Visit schools to assist students/teachers with the project  Review competition criteria for improvements

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Our Committee  Jon Young, Outreach Chair (HAPI)  Joni Tanimoto, Registration (Akinaka & Associates)  Eric Tomishima, Load Test (Iwamoto & Associates)  Mike Hunneman, Presentation (KAI Hawaii, Inc.)

Hawaii Section PGF 2014 Thank You