Howard University Bridge Team

On April 5, 1997, a Regional Steel Bridge-Building Competition was held at the University of Maryland College Park. The competing schools included John Hopkins University, University of Maryland College Park, George Washington University, and Howard University.

The competition allowed students to work together to design, debug, construct, and test a scaled down bridge with steel components and compete with other schools to make the lightest, sturdiest, most economical, bridge possible. The actual competition consists of students assembling their design as quickly and safety as possible, and then applying 2500 pounds.

This year, Howard University placed first in the following categories: Construction Speed, Economy, Lightness, and Aesthetics. Howard received first place overall in the Regional Competition. The team will advance to the national competition in Pomona, California.

The Howard University Bridge Team is supported by the following companies and organizations: United Technologies, HU ECSEL, Howard University's School of Engineering, Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Steel Construction, Wainwright & Smith and the Institute for Multimedia Applications.

In the Institute for Multimedia Applications, the Howard University Bridge Team used the I-DEAS Master Series to design their winning entry. A product of SDRC (Structural Dynamics Research Corporation), I-DEAS is used to develop three dimensional, reliable, and increasingly complete master product models. This tool is served from IMA's 4X 250 MHz Processor Onyx Reality Engine system.

For more information about the Howard University Bridge Team, please contact Odessa Phillip at 202-806-5764.