YSU Steel Bridge team tops regional contest, advances to nationals
Youngstown State University’s American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter claimed many top honors during the recent Ohio Valley Student Conference at the University of Akron.
The Steel Bridge, Geotechnical and Concrete Frisbee teams all took first place, the Concrete Canoe team finished in second place and William Graham captured third place in the Technical Paper competition. With the first-place finish, the Steel Bridge team will move on to the Steel Bridge National Competition in Carbondale, Ill. May 31 to June 1.
The competitions included teams representing schools from Ohio, Kentucky and Western Pennsylvania including the University of Louisville, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Pittsburgh and the Ohio State University.
The Steel Bridge Competition involves the design, fabrication, construction, and testing of a steel structure which meets specifications set by ASCE and the American Institute of Steel Construction each year. At the competition, the bridge is judged on the following six criteria: construction speed, lightness, stiffness, economy, efficiency and aesthetics. YSU took first place in four of the six. Team members are: Spencer DeSalvo (Captain), Colton Hamilton, Alexander Miller, Thomas Carnes, Kenneth Anderson, Luis Vindel, Joshua Robinson, Nico Pagley, Matthew Hone, William Graham and Drew House.
The Concrete Frisbee competition requires team members to create a Frisbee that is durable and efficient. The Frisbee is then judged on accuracy in long distance, accuracy in short distance, durability, weight and aesthetics. The YSU team scored top marks in four of the five categories. Team members are: Jillian Penman (Captain), Mathew Moradian, William Graham and Emma Daugherty.
The Geotechnical Competition is designed to inspire creativity and critical thinking of engineering students. Teams must construct a dam that can last the longest without failing. Points are awarded for: longest time without failing, least reinforcing material used, and shortest construction time. Team members are: Mark Metzger (Captain), Kenneth Anderson, Jacob Stellers, Michael Palagano and Federico Ríos.
The Concrete Canoe competition requires teams to use engineering skills to design and construct a seaworthy canoe made entirely of concrete. Each team must compete in four categories: design paper, oral presentation, final product and several racing events. Team members are: Thomas Carnes (Captain), Jonathan Wilson, Jillian Penman, Emma Daugherty, Jacob Stellers, Luis Vindel and Michael Palagano.