Rules For How Strong Is The BRIDGE 2017 3 May - 5 May 2017: RD TH

RULES FOR HOW STRONG IS THE
BRIDGE 2017
3rd May – 5th May 2017
10. 4. 2017
Maribor, Slovenia
How strong is the bridge!? 2017
3rd May – 5th May 2017, Maribor, Slovenia
1 Competition basics
1.1 Team
The team consists of three members, which were confirmed and have received conformational e-
mail from the organising committee. Change of team members is only possible with a confirmation
by the organizing committee. The final product should be a product of individual work of team
members. If the team has a 4th member as a companion he is not allowed to help the team. Breaking
this rule is first met with a warning. If this rule is broken again the team is disqualified.
1.2 Materials
Only the materials provided by the organiser are allowed. Implementation of other materials is not
permitted and will result in disqualification. The organiser provides following materials:
 Spaghetti Barilla n.7 – main construction material
 Hot glue Pattex
 Wooden sticks φ = 16 mm, L=20 cm – elements for load transmission
 Plastic elements for supports
We tested spaghetti and glue, which are the main construction materials, in the laboratory. σ-ε
diagrams of spaghetti and glue are showed in the diagrams bellow:
Spaghetti:
E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

Glue:
1.3 Tools
The use of any hand tools (knives, saws, duck-tape, formwork, ruler, panels) is allowed. Use of any
electric, pneumatic tools or any other tools that converts mechanical energy into work is not
allowed. Only use of electric hot glue pistols is allowed. Organiser provides following tools:
 Electric hot glue pistol
 Knives
 Rubber bands
 Cups
 Saw
All other tools, which are allowed in this chapter, can be provided by the team members themselves.
Use of computer software is also allowed.

2 Technical characteristics of bridges

2.1 Definitions
Bridge axis: Bridge axis is the shortest distance between the supports. The axis is situated on top of
the supports and also represents the bridge deck.
Span: Axial distance between the supports.
Width: Maximum distance between outer points of the bridge, perpendicular to bridge axis.
Height: Height of the bridge is distance between the bridge axis and the highest point of the bridge.
Vehicle way: Vehicle way is free profile, which has to be ensured just above the bridge axis through
the whole span of the bridge.
Mass: Mass of the bridge is sum of all implemented materials, together with supports and wooden
sticks.
Joint: Place where the spaghetti are glued to each other.
2.2 Characteristics
Bridge must comply with the following dimension:
 Span: 90 cm
 Width: Maximal width is 20 cm
 Height: Height is not limited. However, the distance between the axis of the bridge (bridge
deck) and the lowest point below the axis should not exceed 2 cm.
 Vehicle way: Width 10 cm, height 5 cm.
 Mass: Mass should not exceed 1300 g (initial tolerance is +10g, weight of wooden sticks is
deducted).
 Wooden sticks have to be installed on the loading points. Details and position of loading
points are stated in next chapter.
 Vertically under the sticks there should be at least 5 cm long and 10 cm wide free profile
because of the needs for applying the load on the bridge.

For easier understanding and to illustrate the dimensions and restrictions there are pictures below.
Cross section:
CROSS SECTION
not limited DIMENSIONS
10
5
TRAFIC WAY
Bridge deck
2 cm
CROSS SECTION
DIMENSIONS
max 20
Side view:

2.3 Static system

Both supports are fixed pined supports, which are also the only points (axes), where bridge can be in
touch with the loading machine. The bridge will be loaded with two (2) concentrated loads. The first
load is placed 30 cm from the support on the left and the second load is placed 40 cm from the right
support and 20 cm in between each load. Static system is also presented on the scheme bellow.

2.4 Construction
Spaghetti should not be glued together into elements longitudinally. Gluing is only permitted on the
edges of spaghetti! The shortest length between the glue is 3 cm (-2mm tolerance), with of applied
glue can be a maximum of 1 cm (+1mm tolerance). During construction of bridges only use of tools
stated in section 1.3 is permitted. The restrictions for gluing are presented on pictures bellow.
Glued Not glued
max 1 min 3 max 1 min 3 max 1 min 3 max 1






Gluing is only permitted on the edges of spaghetti!!!


2.5 Load tests

After the construction is finished, the bridges are tested until failure on the loading machine. The
bridge is mounted on the loading machine. The plate for measurement of displacements is mounted
by the organizer. The hooks of the loading machine, which are transferring the load on the bridge are
attached to the wooden sticks. Bearing capacity of the bridge is the maximum load on the bridge
before it collapses. The load is defined as a sum of all external forces acting on the bridge in the load
points. Bearing capacity is tested on all bridges. Loading machine is illustrated on the picture bellow.
Each team puts their bridge on the loading machine by themselves. Changing the distance (90 cm)
between supports is not possible.

3 Points awarding
The scoring is the responsibility of the expert committee.
3.1 Bearing capacity category

In the category of bearing capacity all registered teams are competing. The winning team in the
category of the bearing capacity is the team whose bridge collapsed under maximum load after any
deductions for derogation from the rules (deductions are explained in more detail in the next
section). In the category of bearing capacity the student’s teams and pupil’s teams are competing
separately. In case that the same bearing capacity of bridges of multiple teams is achieved for 1 st, 2nd
of 3rd place after all deductions have been made, the order of the teams is determined by the load
and the weight of the bridge ratio (bearing capacity/mass). Higher placed is the team with the higher
bearing capacity and mass ratio.
3.2 Deductions in the bearing capacity category

If bridge is not build according to rules, bearing capacity is reduced in percentage of total bearing
capacity according to following points.
1. If the width of the bridge exceeds 20 cm the bearing capacity is reduced for the following
value: 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠[𝑚𝑚] ∙ 2.5%
2. If the distance between the axis and the lowest point of the bridge exceeds 2 cm the bearing
capacity is reduced for the following value: 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠[𝑚𝑚] ∙ 2.5%
3. If the dimensions of vehicle way are smaller than the prescribed the bearing capacity is
reduced for the following value (separately for the width and height): 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡[𝑚𝑚] ∙ 2 %
4. If the mass of the bridge exceeds the maximum permitted mass the bearing capacity is
reduced for the following value: 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠[10𝑔] ∙ 1% (total exceeded mass, greater than 200g
results in immediate disqualification)
5. For minor derogation from the rules of construction the bearing capacity is reduced for 7.5%.
Minor derogation means that up to ten (10) joints exceeds the permissible limits of
construction (see section 2.4) up to 5 mm.
6. For larger derogation from the rules of construction the bearing capacity is reduced for 15%.
Larger derogation means that up to five (5) joints exceeds the permissible limits of
construction (see section 2.4) up to 10 mm.
7. For harder derogation from the rules of construction the team is disqualified from the
competition without recourse fee. Harder derogation means that any joint exceeds the
permissible limits of construction (see section 2.4) more than 10 mm, if more than 5 joints
exceeds the permissible limits of construction up to 10 mm and , if more than 10 joints
exceeds the permissible limits of construction up to 5 mm.
8. Combined reduction of bearing capacity greater than 25%, results in disqualification.
3.3 Design category

Ten bridges are selected and awarded points by the expert jury from all registered teams, which will
compete in the category of design. After that, every team will award points to each one of these 10
bridges. In this category the creativity, aesthetics and uniqueness are estimated. Minimum bearing
capacity is 5 kg – if the bridge does not meet this criterion, this results in disqualification.
Scoring is as follows:
Due to the voting of competing teams and expert jury the following points are added:

After the voting of the audience:

1st place: 100 points
2nd place: 90 points
3rd place: 80 points
4th place: 70 points
After the voting of the expert commission:

1st place: 100 points
2nd place: 90 points
3rd place: 80 points
From these points the points are deducted in the case of any derogation from the rules (deductions
are explained in more detail in the next section). In case that the same points for design category of
multiple teams is achieved for 1st or 2nd place after all deductions have been made, the order of the
teams is determined by the bearing capacity test. Higher placed is the team with the higher bearing
capacity. If the team competing in design category is also competing in bearing capacity category the
rules from points 2.4 and 3.2 apply.
4 Awards
4.1 Bearing capacity category
The teams who are listed on the first three places in accordance with a scoring system set out in
chapter 3 receive a reward. In the category of bearing capacity the student’s teams and pupil’s teams
compete separately and are also awarded separately.
4.2 Design category

The teams who are listed on the first two places in accordance with a scoring system set out in
chapter 3 receive a reward.

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RULES FOR HOW STRONG IS THE

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

2 Technical characteristics of bridges

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

2.3 Static system

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

Glued Not glued

max 1 min 3 max 1 min 3 max 1 min 3 max 1

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

Gluing is only permitted on the edges of spaghetti!!!

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

2.5 Load tests

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

3.1 Bearing capacity category

3.2 Deductions in the bearing capacity category

3.3 Design category

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

After the voting of the audience:

After the voting of the expert commission:

4.2 Design category

E-mail: ajktm.fgpa@um.si | Web: ajktm.fg.um.si | Skype: ajktm.competition

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