Design aesthetically pleasing bridge prototypes with maximum durability using limited materials and weight budget, in accordance with engineering principles.
Competitors are tasked with designing aesthetically pleasing bridge prototypes with maximum durability using limited materials and weight budget, in accordance with engineering principles (static load distribution, truss systems).
The key performance metric is the "Structural Efficiency Ratio" — the ratio of the load carried by the bridge to its own weight.
Only standard-sized wooden sticks (balsa wood or popsicle sticks) and wood glue / liquid adhesive may be used.
The use of metal nails, screws, plastic clamps, epoxy resin or carbon fiber reinforcements is strictly prohibited.
Teams' bridges are subjected to a 3-stage test before a professional jury.
The referee panel checks the bridge dimensions with calipers and records its weight on a precision scale.
The team spokesperson explains the truss structure used in the bridge, why this design was chosen and load distribution strategies to the VIP jury members in technical language.
The bridge is placed on two platforms with a 400 mm gap between them. A loading apparatus is hung from the center. Team members incrementally add weights to the apparatus until the bridge collapses or the maximum test load is reached.
Evaluation is based on a total of 100 points.
Formula: (Maximum Load Carried / Bridge Weight) × 100. The team with the highest ratio on the field receives the full 60 points; other teams are scored proportionally.
The accuracy of the truss system used (Pratt, Howe, Warren, etc.), workmanship quality and glue efficiency at connection points are evaluated by the jury.
The team's ability to explain their design process, their technical answers to questions and professional demeanor are scored.
For every 1 cm deviation from the maximum or minimum dimension limits, points are deducted from the total score.
-5 Points / cmExcessive glue usage that overflows beyond wood surfaces and coats the structure like plastic, providing an unfair advantage, is penalized by jury decision.
-15 PointsDetection of prohibited materials (metal, plastic support, epoxy) is an immediate cause for disqualification.
DisqualifiedTake your place on the Atlantia STEM Olympiad stage with your structural engineering vision.