Iowa State University is well known for its great engineering programs. Today, the ISU Steel Bridge Team prepares to demonstrate how great at the national competition after placing second in the Midwest regionals.

The national competition will be held at the University of Missouri-Kansas City on May 22 and 23. They will be competing against roughly 50 other schools.

The teams will be judged on different factors: speed, precision, budget and the aesthetic value of the bridges they construct. 

The bridge will be constructed is a 1/10 scale replica of an actual bridge. It will be nearly 20 feet long and made entirely out of steel. The structure will weigh around 140 pounds and have a weight capacity of 2500 pounds. 

While at the nationals, the team must adhere to specific rules that change after every competition. Such rules may include things like the particular size, dimensions and safety practices observed during the contest.

Safety is particularly important and if not taken seriously can be grounds for automatic disqualification, such as if an individual forgets his or her safety helmet. 

“We always make sure to double and even triple-check each other before we start,” said Hannah Monical, the group’s design chair.

This will be the second time in four years the team has advanced to the nationals.

“Every year has been a challenge, but it has also always been very exciting,” said Tim Schlosser, the team president.

The team participated in the nationals two years ago and came in fifth place. 

The team has seen great growth in membership this year.

“Usually we only have 15 to 20 members, but this year we have 35 active members,” Schlosser said.

The two main fundraising methods the group uses are pizza sales, and sponsorship letters.

Ben Worrell, the public relations chair, has doubled the group’s letters over the course of the year. Their financial goal this year is $15,000 to $20,000, which is a little higher than normal due to a trip to Canada they participated in a few months ago.

Unlike other schools where the Steel Bridge competition is a course, the ISU members prepare for it on their own time. On top of that, they only had two weeks to prepare for the regional competition, and they still managed to place second.

The team said the only thing they need to increase the efficiency of their practice sessions is more space.

“It would be much less of a hassle, and would save a great deal of time,” said senior in civil engineering Brad Gipple.

At regionals, the team was down to the wire and completed the bridge in just under 30 minutes.

“This time we’re going to shoot for a 20 to 25 minute range,” Gipple said.