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Q: The Contest Specifications state 3/32-inch square cross-section basswood. Is balsa wood acceptable? Or are they interchangeable?
A: 3/32 square inch basswood is the official wood and unfortunately balsa wood won't be allowed. If a bridge is already built out of balsa and can't be rebuilt with basswood in time for the competition, it could be tested as an unofficial entry.
Q: Can the cables be made of rubber bands?
A: Yes, rubber bands will be acceptable.
Q: Can the part of the bridge that supports the load plate be made of cable material (fishing line, etc.)?
A: Yes.
Q: Can the cables be made of duct tape or masking tape strips?
A: No. Tape (duct tape, masking tape, scotch tape, etc.) will not be allowed.
Q: Obviously the loading plate moves up and down, say along the z-axis, is it also free to rotate about the z-axis? I assume the plate cannot rotate about either the x or y axes. In other words, how many degrees of freedom does the loading plate have?
A: The loading plate will not rotate about any of the axes. I consider it to have only one degree of freedom which would be movement along the "z" (up and down) axis.
Q: We are having trouble interpreting the position of the loading plate. Spec. 3.C. says at the one third span of the bridge….the span being 300mm, therefore, measuring from the “canyon wall” over 100mm. Figure 1 has the loading plate centered over a point 100mm from the end of the 400mm max point. There is a discrepancy between what is written and what the diagram indicates
A: The loading point is at 1/3 of the 300 mm span (100 mm from the edge of the supports). A revised diagram has been posted.
For more information, contact:
John J. Migliaccio, P.E.
Project Manager
Structural Engineering
San Engineering LLC
10298 Spotted Owl Place
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
john@sanengineeringllc.com
Guenther Polok, P.E.
Associated Design Professionals, Inc.
1861 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. Ste 101
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
719.266.5212
gpolok@adpcivil.com
National Society of Professional Engineers - Colorado Chapter
Box 261354, Lakewood, CO 80232
Phone: 303-480-1160
Fax: 303-979-6094