Bridge Design Competition

Welcome to the 2nd Annual 2019 Delaware Bridge Design Competition.

This event is a hands-on engineering competition aimed to engage students interested in the math, science, and engineering fields. The program is designed to encourage middle school and high school students to address real-world problems and inspire them to consider careers in transportation and civil engineering. Students will use Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and 3-D modeling software to design and detail plans for a truss bridge. Students will use their design to create a balsa wood model. Participants will develop a portfolio and PowerPoint presentation outlining their design. Their bridge models will also be tested on the day of the competition. The Delaware Bridge Design Competition and all associated software and materials are FREE to all participating students. For more information, see the Delaware Bridge Design Competition Guidelines below.

Note: There are differences in the guidelines and due dates for the Delaware and National competitions. Please read the guidelines carefully.

Design/Build Challenge

Delaware Bridge Design Competition Application
School Participation Agreement
Schedule
- January 9, 2019 – Bridge Design Competition applications must be submitted
- February 8, 2019 – Bridge Kits will be shipped to teams
- April 17, 2019 (no later than 5 PM) – Proposals due
- May 1, 2019 – Competition to be held at Polytech Adult Education Center 823 Walnut Shade Rd, Woodside, DE 19980
Supplies Provided
- Balsa Wood
- Wood Glue
- Model Smart 3D Software
- Teacher's Guide CD
- MicroStation V8i Software
*See Guidelines for Items Specific to Your Design/Build Challenge*
Awards
- Top 3 finishers at EACH grade-level will receive:
  - First Place - $900 per Team
  - Second Place - $750 per Team
  - Third Place - $600 per Team
- All Participants will receive:
  - Participation Medals
  - Bridge Design Competition T-shirt
  - MetalEarth 3-D Bridge Model
  - Assorted DelDOT gear

Internship Opportunities

All juniors and seniors in high school who are interested in a career in Civil Engineering are encouraged to consider applying for internship opportunities with The Delaware Department of Transportation for the Summer of 2020. All summer internships for the Summer of 2019 are currently filled. However, consideration for internships in the Summer of 2020 will begin in November 2019 and will extend until April 2020. Please contact Craig Stevens for more information.

Resources

Software
- Computer Aided Drafting
  - Download Bentley Powerdraft
  - Bentley PowerDraft v8i Tutorials (Courtesy of the Michigan Department of Transportation)
- 3-D Model Smart
  - ModelSmart 3D
  - Learn more about 3-D Model Smart
  - Licenses provided by DelDOT at no cost to the schools
Learn more about the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
West Point Bridge Designer
Proposals
- Example Proposal (courtesy of AASHTO)
- This proposal includes the MINIMUM requirements necessary for the competition. It is intended only to help students prepare their proposals. All work submitted in the competition must be the student's and team's own work.
Presentation
- Example PowerPoint
- Example Presentations
  - DelDOT Bridge Competition Presentation

News

The Bridge Design Competition will be held May 1, 2019 at Polytech Adult Education Center (823 Walnut Shade Rd., Woodside, DE 19980)
2019 Bridge Design Competition Schedule