2018 ASCE/AISC New England Region
Student Steel Bridge Competition
By Nicholas Golon, PE
and competing against teams from other colleges
and universities. Through the course of competition
students are required to construct and then load
test their bridges.
This year’s ASCE/AISC New England Region Student
Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC) was hosted by the
University of Vermont from April 27 th – 28 th with
more than a dozen schools participating.
This year’s competition did not disappoint with
innovations in both design and construction from
many competing schools. Below, the Université of
Laval constructs their bridge in a competition best
3 minutes and 45 seconds.
The mission of the ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge The University of Norwich, which co-hosted the
Competition (SSBC) is to supplement the education event with the University of Vermont built their
of civil engineering students with a comprehensive, bridge in a more modest time.
student-driven project experience from conception
and design through fabrication, erection, and
testing, culminating in a steel structure that meets
client specifications and optimizes performance and
economy. The SSBC increases awareness of real-
world engineering issues such as spatial constraints,
material properties, strength, serviceability,
fabrication and erection processes, safety,
esthetics, and cost. Success in inter-collegiate
competition requires effective teamwork and
project management. Future engineers are
stimulated to innovate, practice professionalism,
and use structural steel efficiently.
The SSBC provides design and management
experience, opportunity to learn fabrication
processes, and the excitement of networking with