The University of Waterloo Steel Bridge Design Team is a collection of UW students passionate about the engineering design process, and competes in bridge design competitions annually. By being a part of the SBDT, you can gain hands-on experiences with all stages of structural steel design, from the design to the fabrication and construction of the bridge structure.
The management group will give you an idea of how a project is managed, and is great for those who had business experience in high school. The design group is a great way to learn design software like AutoCAD and SolidWorks, which are key additions to your resume! The fabrication group will teach you shop skills like welding and machining, and help you better understand steel. The construction group are the key participants during the steel bridge competition, and assemble all the parts created by the fabrication group.
We compete in the ASCE Student Steel Bridge Competitions, which are annual events that challenge student teams to design and fabricate a one-tenth scale steel bridge. Judging criteria include stiffness, lightness, construction speed, display, efficiency, and economy. A problem statement is provided by the organizers detailing design constraints and objectives. So keep an eye out for our general meetings, and visit uwsteelbridgedesig.wix.com/uwsbdt for more info!
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