2009 bridge contest rules

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• 2009 Bridge Contest
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Saturday, 28 February 2009

1.    Objective

   1. Contestants will build a bridge using ONLY:
      1. Popsicle sticks
      2. White glue
      3. Construction paper
      
      
   2. Your bridge will be evaluated by the following measures:
      1. Quantitative: Load tested performance
      2. Qualitative: Other qualities including your design process
      
      
   3. There are two grade divisions
      1. Grades 3 to 6
      2. Grades 7 and 8
      
      
   4. A team may consist of one, two, or three students.
   
   
   5. Maximum of 6 teams per school.
   
   
   6. Each team will be required to pay an entry fee of $6.00 per team payable by cash or check at the time of 'Bridge' registration on the competition day.
   
   
   7. To qualify for entry, completed Entry Forms must be submitted for each team by the February 3, 2009 deadline to bridge@peoscarborough.ca
   
   
   
   

2.    Specifications

   1. The main structure of the bridge must be constructed only of wooden Popsicle sticks and white glue.
      Construction paper is only to be used for the deck of the bridge, which can be cut to fit the design of the bridge.
      The only construction materials allowed are:
      1. Regular white all-purpose glue
      2. Standard wooden Popsicle sticks
      3. Construction paper
      NOTE: Refer to Figure 1 for an example picture of white glue and Popsicle sticks
      
      
   2. Your bridge MUST conform to following specifications:
      1. The total weight must not exceed 250 grams.
      2. Your bridge must rest steadily on two supports of the testing machine. The clear distance between these two supports is 500 mm.
      3. Design your bridge long enough not to slip or fall through this span under load. Remember that materials bend when loaded (we suggest a minimum bridge length of 530 mm).
      4. The travelled portion of your bridge must be at least 60 mm wide, capable of transporting two matchbox cars (each car’s dimensions are approximately 30 mm wide x 70 mm long x 30 mm high). Both cars must be able to roll smoothly across the bridge deck in both directions simultaneously.
      5. The maximum length of the bridge must be less than 700 mm.
      6. The maximum width of your bridge must be less than 150 mm.
      7. Your bridge structure may project up to 200 mm above the top of the supports.
      8. Your bridge structure may project up to 50 mm below the top of the supports.
      9. Provision must be made to allow the loading platform with bolting attachment (132 mm long x 50 mm wide x 12 mm high) to be positioned at the centre of bridge span at the contest site.
         At the centre of the bridge, a vertical clear space 15 mm in diameter free of sticks must be maintained for the bolt, nut and washer to apply a test load. Look at photographs in
         Figure 2 of the bridge testing machine and Figure 3 for the loading platform
      10. The paper deck should be continuous. If needed, a hole for the loading platform bolt will be drilled at the contest site.
   3. The Popsicle sticks can be cut and/or shaped in any way and may be coloured.
      1. If the Popsicle sticks have to be cut, trimmed or drilled, then this should be done using tools that are designed to be safe for children to use and under the direct supervision of a teacher or another responsible adult.
      2. Cut pieces may be used as pins in joints.
         
   4. To qualify, your bridge must be tested before you arrive at the competition.
      1. We require an adult to certify that your bridge has been tested and can support at least a 4kg load.
         (Note: past winning bridges supported over 25 times this load)
      2. Please test your bridge early so that you have time to fix any problems you find.
      3. A suggested method of load testing is described in section 6 below.
         
   5. Attach a paper tag to your bridge, on which you have clearly written your bridge name and the names of your team members.
      
   6. Finally, think, plan ahead and be patient… good bridges take time to build. (and glue takes time to dry!)
      

3.    Judge’s Criteria

   Each bridge will be judged for the following five attributes:
   1. Construction technique
   2. Construction quality
   3. Technical presentation and description of your bridge design process
   4. Aesthetics
   5. Creativity
   
   In the event of a tie, the judges will re-interview the tied teams.
   The decisions of the judges are final.
   
   

4.    Destructive Testing

   1. The bridge inspectors will ensure that each entry complies with the rules.
      Only bridges that conform to all the specifications will be accepted. NOTE: Bridges not meeting the specifications will be disqualified.
   2. Bridges will be weighed before the destructive test.
   3. The load will be applied from below at the centre of the deck by the loading platform.
   4. Testing will consist of the application of an increasing load via the loading platform by the bridge testing machine, until the bridge breaks, or flexes by more than 50 mm.
      The peak load recorded up to this point will be considered the breaking load.
   5. The winning entry will be the bridge with the highest performance rating.
      In the event of a tie, the lightest bridge wins.
      It is up to your team to decide on the optimum balance between mass and strength.
      Performance rating = (Breaking load) ÷ (Unloaded weight of your bridge)
      i.e. the bridge that carries the largest load may lose to a lighter bridge. See last year's results!
   6. Be aware that all bridges will be destroyed during testing!!!
   7. All decisions of the judges are final.
      

5.    Parental Permission Form

   1. Obtain the Parental Permission Form from our website and complete this form for each contestant.
   2. Every contestant must submit a signed Parental Permission Form during the check-in registration on the day of the contest.
   3. A parent or teacher must confirm that your bridge has been tested and can support at least a 4kg weight.
   4. A parent or teacher must certify that the bridges presented consist substantially of the work done by the students in the registered team.
   5. Contestants will not be allowed to participate without this form completed by a parent or legal guardian
   
   

6.    How to Test   

   1. Make a pencil sized hole through the centre of your bridge.
   2. Make a loading platform to distribute the load on your bridge. (See figure 3 for an example)
   3. Tie a piece of rope to the centre of your loading platform.
   4. Thread the rope through the hole you made in the centre of your bridge.
   5. Tie a plastic grocery bag to the other end of the rope.
   6. Place two tables 500mm apart. These will be used to support your bridge.
   7. Place your bridge on the tables with the plastic bag hanging below the bridge.
   8. Place a 2kg bag of sugar into the plastic bag.
   9. If your bridge looks strong enough, add a second 2kg bag of sugar.
   10. Congratulate yourself for passing the qualification test.

Important Information

• Register your teams by 3 February 2009. The Registration Form can be obtained from our website
• Contest day is 28 February 2009 with registration beginning at 10:30 am
  
  • The competition begins at 12:00 pm and is estimated to end at 5:00PM
• Food or drink are not allowed in the Council Chambers.
  
  • Please eat your lunch before or during registration time. Lunch will not be served.
  • Please bring your own drinks as drinks will not be served. Water is available from water fountains.
• Parents, teachers and friends, are welcome and encouraged to watch and cheer!

Visit our website often for the latest information on this event:
http://www.scarborough.peo.on.ca/events/20090228-bbc/

Figure 1: White glue and a packet of 200 Popsicle sticks These are available at Dollarama or similar dollar stores for $1.00 + tax each. The coloured paper (board) for the deck are sold two for $1.00 For guidance, the size of each stick is 115 mm long x 10 mm wide x 2 mm thick. 100 sticks weigh about 140 grams. Remember that Popsicle sticks vary in density. Glue and paper add significant weight. Ensure that your completed bridge is not overweight.	Click above picture to enlarge.
Figure 2: A bridge on the Bridge Testing Machine Take careful note of the supports that your bridge must rest upon. The clear distance between these two supports will be set to 500 mm within a tolerance of ± 1mm. The load is applied at the centre of your bridge with a bolt that pulls from below. Your design must allow space for this bolt to pass through the bottom of your bridge.	Click above picture to enlarge.
Figure 3: Loading Platform attached to a bridge The bolt that applies the load goes through the loading platform. A washer and nut secures it. The loading platform distributes the load on your bridge. bottom view	Click above picture to enlarge.
bridge on supports