On Saturday, the Columbia chapter of the ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) competed at the 2009 NY Regional ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition. The team took home the prize for the lightest bridge of the ten teams competing. The team has not participated in the competition since 2004. The bridges are judged in a variety of categories and designs are meant to maximize structural strength while minimizing weight and placing an emphasis on ease of construction.

Students enrolled in the Structural Design Projects class designed the bridge, and the plan was modified slightly for the competition. Assembly took place in the Carlton Strength of Materials Laboratory in Mudd. Students were assisted by Professors Andrew Smyth and Rene Testa as well as the lab manager and lab technicians.

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