The competition’s hypothetical client is the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, SDNWR, who are requesting the design of a bridge with piers at specified locations.This new design intends to replace the existing bridge at the site shown later. This bridge will cross the Sweetwater River to allow for better access to park service vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, horses, and emergency vehicles. The client specifies the use of steel for many reasons, some being strength, construction speed, and tribute to the Sweetwater River Bridge.
Project Location
The Sweetwater River Bridge was constructed in 1929 and became a pedestrian-only bridge in 1987. To allow the San Diego Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1996, access to both sides of the river, the client is proposing the bridge to be located further down the Sweetwater River Bridge. For competition purposes, the bridge model will not include the deck, foundations, and approaches.
Tasks
The tasks identified to successfully complete the project are presented below. To understand the tasks and subtasks in more detail, please review the Final Proposal.
Task 1: Background Research
The background research consists on reviewing the AISC Competition Rules 2023 to understand the design considerations and constraints. The background research also included the different analysis methods. This was heavily influenced by analysis methods used by previous teams and faculty recommendations. Truss patterns and connection examples were also researched to give the team an idea of what are the strongest know patterns and connections. The material properties were also looked into. The material has to be magnetic and team had to compare the weight against strength and cost against availability.
Task 2: Design
The Design consisted of creating preliminary sketches that allowed the team to make a presentation to the Client. The client then gave his strong recommendation and the team used it to narrow down the bridge design. To create the design, RISA and AutoCAD were used. The connections are to be analyzed by hand calculations. After inputting several designs in RISA, the most efficient design is to be selected.
Task 3: Fabrication
After having the design complete, the fabrication documents will have to be created. These fabrication documents are needed for the welding of members. The team knows that adjustments may be required during fabrication.
Task 4: Testing
Loading the bridge is an important part of the process. The team has to make sure that the constructed bridge reflects the analysis. This will be done by slightly loading the bridge to ensure there is no permanent yielding.
Task 5: Practice
Once the bridge is constructed to a desired state, the team needs to practice assembling the bridge to decrease construction time. Practicing construction speed will also allow the team to coordinate and assign construction duties to each of the team members.
Task 6: Competition
For competition, the team needs to coordinate with the NAU ASCE student chapter to arrange transportation to the University of Nevada Reno and rooms for the duration of competition. Coordination with the ASCE chapter is also required to ensure the qualification of the Capstone Steel Bridge in to the AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition.
Task 7: Project Impacts
Some of the project impacts for this project are social since the reputation of the team members and their school are involved. The professional development of the team are also impacted by the project.
Task 8: Project Deliverables
The project deliverables differ from both semesters. During the fall semester the team is required to deliver proposal report and presentation, compared to the spring, where the final report and presentation are required. Aside from the report and the presentation, the team also needs to create a website and a video.
The team will design a bridge according to th constraints and criteria outlined within the SSBC 2023 Rules. Due to the variability in loading, bridge members will be designed to handle any of the possible load cases. Truss patterns, member length, as well as member cross-sections will be selected to minimize vertical deflection and horizontal sway, while maximizing the portability of the structure when packed. With overall weight of the bridge being a significant factor during judging, the bridge must accomplish the preceding all while using as little material as possible.
Schedule
To ensure that the teams stays within required time frame, which has been outlined by the competition guidelines, Microsoft Project will be used. The team generated a Project Schedule that outlines project tasks, which can be reviewed below, and Capstone deliverables. Please click on the link to open up the project schedule.
Staffing and Cost of Engineering Services
To be able to estimate the overall project cost of the project, the team had to determine how much it would cost to pay all of the staff required and how much it would cost to purchase all materials required. Please click on the link to open up the staffing and cost information. This document will provide a quick overview of the material breakdown as well as staffing breakdown. For more details, please navigate to Documentation and review the Final Proposal.
