Balsa Bridge

Kansas State University

Kansas State High School Balsa Bridge Competition

Sponsored by the K-State Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers

Problem Statement

 

Imagine your team as a structural engineering firm in the Mid 19th century. A local businessman, William W. Cat, has come to you with a proposal. For twelve years he has run the only ferry service across the Wildcat River in the north central part of the Kansas Territory. He has made so much money on this endeavor, that he wishes to upgrade his service. Mr. Cat wishes to put in a wooden toll bridge to span the river.

Mr. Cat has asked your firm, and many others from across the Kansas Territory, to submit a scaled balsa wood model of the proposed bridge. The design of the bridge is completely up to you as an engineer. Foremost concern will be given to safety of his clientele. Therefore, the amount of weight the bridge can hold before it fails is the most important consideration. Also important to Mr. Cat is how the bridge looks. Therefore, the craftsmanship and aesthetics of your firm’s finished model will also be a major consideration. Mr. Cat will award the design to the firm with the best overall model.

If you have questions, send an e-mail to Joey Holste at joeyholste@gmail.com

General Rules and Specifications

 

Click here to get the rules and specifications for the competition

 

Registration Instructions

 

Click here to get the registration instructions for the competition

 

Location of Competition

 

The 2009 Balsa Bridge Competition will be located at Kansas State University on Saturday, April 18th at 9:00 a.m. in Fiedler 1107.