Nanyang Technological University

Bridge Design Competition 2018

Rules and Regulations

1. SPECIFICATION DETAILS
CASE STUDY
a. A case of a simplified real-world problem will be used as the background information of
the bridge making. Additional limitation(s) of the bridge model could be introduced on
the case.
b. Every participant will receive the same case.
c. The bridge model should act as the solution of the problem.
d. A sample case can be accessed through: http://bit.ly/BDC2018samplecase. This sample
case is not the actual case, and acts only as an illustration of the case study system.
e. The actual case will be released during the event day (10th of March, 2018).

MATERIALS
a. The bridge must be constructed only from the official 3/16-inch square cross-section
balsa wood or bass word and cyanoacrylate adhesive (super glue) that are included in
the kit. Participants have the freedom to use only balsa wood or both wood. Bass wood
is generally 3-4 times stronger than balsa wood.
b. The wood may be notched, cut, sanded or laminated in any manner but must still be
identifiable as the original wood.
c. No other materials other than those provided by the committee can be used in the
construction of the model. The bridge may not be stained, painted or coated in any
fashion with any foreign substance. However, you are required to equip yourself with the
equipment and tools required for your construction (e.g. sandpaper, cutter).

CONSTRUCTION
a. The bridge mass shall be no greater than 30.00 grams.
b. The bridge (see Figure 1) must span a gap (S) of 300mm, be no longer (L) than 400mm,
have a maximum width (W) of 80mm, be no taller (H) than 200mm above the support
surfaces. No part of the bridge may extend below the support surface. Participants who
failed to meet these criteria will only be given 15 minutes to revise their bridge.
c. The loading plane (P) shall be horizontal and shall not lie below the support surfaces.
 Nanyang Technological University
Bridge Design Competition 2018
Rules and Regulations

d. The bridge must be constructed to provide for the placement of the loading plate (see
section 3, below) at each of the three loading points adjacent to one another. Any portion
of the structure above or below the loading plane must provide clearance for the loading
rod at the three loading point locations.

Figure 1. Loading Points Arrangement (not to scale)

LOADING
a. The load will be applied downward, from below, by means of a 50x80mm plate (see
Figure 2) resting on the loading plane of the bridge. The plate will be 6.35mm (1/4 inch)
thick and will have a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) diameter eyebolt attached from below at its
centre. Force will be applied to the loading plate by means of a Vernier Materials Tester
shown in Figure 3.
b. The load will be placed on the roof/deck (above the support surface), at one of the three
loading points (see Figure 1). Loading point will be determined by drawing lots.

12.7 mm
 Nanyang Technological University
Bridge Design Competition 2018
Rules and Regulations

Figure 2. Loading plate detail (not to scale)

Figure 3. Schematic Diagram of Load Testing Arrangement

2. ASSESSMENTS
LOAD TESTING ASSESSMENT (50%)
a. On the day of the contest, judges will decide which loading point location is to be used
by drawing lots. It will be the same for all bridges.
b. The bridge will be centered on the support surfaces.
c. The loading plate will be placed on the bridge at the specified loading location and the
load will be applied from below.
d. The load will be applied until bridge failure. Bridge failure is defined as the inability of the
bridge to carry additional load, or a load deflection of 25 mm under the loading location,
whichever occurs first.
e. The bridge with the highest structural efficiency, E, will be declared the winner. Bridges
failing above 900 N will be considered to have 900 N for efficiency calculation.
f. This section will contribute 50% of the total assessment score.

Definition of structural efficiency:

𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑁𝑒𝑤𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑥 1000
𝐸=
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑑𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠 𝑥 9.81
 Nanyang Technological University
Bridge Design Competition 2018
Rules and Regulations

PRESENTATION (20%)
a. Each group will be provided an opportunity to present their ideas and the model they have
created within a time limited to 5 minutes per team and 2 minutes of Question & Answer
Session.
b. The presentation should consist of the process of construction, rationale of the design,
how the design answers the case problem, as well as, other important and relevant
details relating to the design of the sustainable bridge design.
c. Participants can decide to have one or both team members to present. Penalties will be
given if any of the teams fail to abide by the rules of the competition.
d. The sample rubric is provided below for participant's reference. This score will contribute
to 20% of the total weightage of the final results.

AESTHETIC ASSESSMENT (15%)

e. Before the load testing, all the bridges are assessed by the judges based the aesthetic
aspect such as the creativity of the model based on the materials provided and the
uniqueness of the model, as well as cleanliness workmanship.
f. Each model will then be given a scoring between 1-10. This assessment contributes 15%
of the total weightage of the final result.
No Evaluation criteria Comments Scoring (1- 10)
1 Presentation Delivery
(Well organized, smooth delivery,
engagement level, able to hold attention)
2 Quality of content
(Covers topic in depth, well-developed content)

3 Design and Visual Appeal

(Use of visuals such as props, videos etc)
4 Engineering Feature
(Feasibility of design, appropriate theories and
engineering judgement)
6 Question and Answer
(Ability to answer questions, demonstration of
understanding and knowledgeable about topic)
 Nanyang Technological University
Bridge Design Competition 2018
Rules and Regulations

ECONOMICAL AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT (15%)

a. Each group will be given 4 sticks of balsa wood (each stick is 36-inch long) and 1 stick
of bass wood (24-inch long) to start with.
b. In the case of material shortage, participant will be given choice to get additional stick(s),
with the point-reduction system. For the additional stick(s), participant will only be given
balsa wood and not bass wood.
c. This section will contribute to 15% of total weightage point; for each additional balsa
piece requested will cost 3% reduction of overall-score, with maximum of 5 additional
wood sticks.

RESULT
QUALIFICATION
a. All construction and material requirements will be checked prior to testing. Bridges failing
to meet these requirements will be disqualified. If physically possible, disqualified
bridges may be tested as exhibition bridges at the discretion of the builder and the
contest directors.
b. If, during testing, a condition becomes apparent (i.e., use of ineligible materials, inability
to support the loading plate, bridge optimized for a single loading point, etc.) which is a
violation of the rules or prevents testing as described above in Section 4, that bridge shall
be disqualified. If the disqualified bridge can accommodate loading, it may still be tested
as an exhibition bridge as stated above.
c. Decisions of the judges are final; these rules may be revised as experience shows the
need.
POINT SYSTEM
a. The marks from the visual assessment, economical & sustainability assessment, load
testing and the presentation is then combined to obtain the total marks in the ratio of 1.5
: 1.5 : 5: 2.
b. Five teams with highest final total marks will be awarded the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th
placings in the competition. There will also be one of ‘The Most Favorite Design’ award.

*This document can be accessed through: http://bit.ly/BDC2018rules