Steel Bridge Team
April 19, 2016
UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications
UT Tyler Participates in Steel Bridge Competition
April 19, 2016
Media Contact: Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)
The University of Texas at Tyler participated in this year's American Society of Civil Engineering/American Institute of Steel Construction Regional Steel Bridge Competition for the first time in the university's history, Dr. Michael McGinnis, College of Engineering interim dean, announced.
"I am so proud of our Steel Bridge team. No one will ever get to be 'first' again from UT Tyler, and our students competed very well. Their bridge, "Genesis," will be the start of something special, I am sure," said McGinnis.
The university's inaugural team consists of civil engineering students at the UT Tyler Houston Engineering Center. Members are Luis Mendoza-Morales of Honduras, Daniel Contreras of Mexico City and Jennifer Granger, Kevin Khatami and Augustin Vidal, all of Houston.
"We had an amazing experience by being the first team ever to represent our university in our conference for the steel bridge competition," Mendoza-Morales said. "This was an unforgettable event that no one can take away from us, because we enjoyed meeting new people and found out about many companies that are out there seeking to hire us either as interns or full-time employees. We are expecting to do better next year by bringing an improved design of our bridge to reach our goal of qualifying to nationals."
Students design and build a steel bridge that is approximately 20 feet long that must support over a ton of weight without substantial deflections. Each portion of the bridge must be no more than 3 feet long by 6 feet wide by 4 feet high.
Teams are judged on construction speed, weight, stiffness and other categories, with an overall champion being crowned in each of 18 regional competitions across the country. High performing teams are invited to the national competition.
"The civil engineering students at the Houston Engineering Center have really rallied around this project," said Dr. Torey Nalbone, civil and environmental engineering department chair. "I know that they have learned a lot not only about structural engineering, but also about teamwork, motivation and professionalism. I could not be more proud."
The ASCE/AISC Steel Bridge Competition has been held annually since 1992. For more information, call 903.566.7273 or visit aisc.org.
One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.