The Chico State bridge team finished in second place at the national competition at the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 1999.
A short video clip shows a portion of Chico's assembly. The blue tarp on the floor represents a river and the students are construction cranes - the "cranes" cannot enter the "river" for environmental concerns.
Chico's bridge was the only bridge at nationals to use absolutely no external bolts, which greatly increased assembly speed, reduced weight, and increased resistance to loading - all important factors in scoring. The following year the rules were changed to require that all connections be externally bolted, negating Chico's creative advantage.
Nevertheless, Chico came back with a different concept for 2000 - the flexi-bridge - and soundly defeated all others for a first place national trophy.
College of Engineering, Computer
Science, & Construction Management
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0003
530-898-5963 webmaster@ecst.csuchico.edu
