The University of Wyoming chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) kicked off a wide array of different competitions and projects this past Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
The two main endeavors they focused on during the meeting were the concrete canoe and steel bridge intercollegiate events. The concrete canoe is exactly what it sounds like.
Students design a vessel out of concrete, testing the materials to ensure that they will withstand moisture and support weight, and then put the boat on the water and watch it float.
“The concrete canoe is a design and build competition, but it also has a race element. Teams will race them and hope that they don’t sink,” said Sarah Mulcahey, a leader in ASCE.
Mulcahey discussed the different challenges it takes to build this boat out of non-traditional materials.
“We have to determine not only the mix design of each of these layers, but also trying to find what kind of reinforcement we want to use.”
The canoe race will take place against other schools and clubs, so the team is motivated to compete and design a sound boat. Logan Potter, a chair of ASCE, discussed the group’s steel bridge competition.
Another event that will be a contest between schools, this project will be based off of a problem statement given to each team to solve, with a real life location. Potter emphasized that experience is not necessary for the project.
“If you are like,’I don’t know much about steel or structures,’ don’t worry. We will teach you, we just need help. We are open to any major that wants to be involved.”
“We are planning to have our design done this year by Christmas break, from there it will give us time [before the competition].”
ASCE will also participate in additional smaller competitions this year.
There are surveys, sustainable solutions, and timber design events, along with technical and non-technical essay competitions.
All of these projects are still in the very early stages, so it’s not too late for students to get involved.
If interested, reach out to the organization through @ASCEUWYO on Instagram.
