Current record-holding 100-gram bridge built in 2000 by Physics 12 student
Matt Sullivan. This photo was taken after the bridge was put back together from the
remnants. A portion of the roadway is missing. In an attempt to reduce overall mass
several holes were drilled in the upper portion of the structure.
Typical preparation before testing. Bridge is carefully placed on testing beams and
testing apparatus is gently lowered into place. Cable in foreground was used to transmit
live webcam feed during testing.
Bridge Breaking Graphic
created by
Antonio Papalia
March 2003
Matt Sullivan with his award-winning bridge at the trophy presentation
ceremony. The trophy, held here by sponsoring teacher Peter Vogel, has been presented
annually since 1981. APEGBC, the professional body that governs engineering
in this province, has been a contest sponsor since 1999. In 2001 we welcomed
Dofasco Steel as a sponsor. For 2002 we welcomed CSCE, the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, the UBC
Engineering Physics program, GlobalIntercom.com and SFU's School of Engineering Science as
sponsors. More recently we have added Buckland and Taylor, one of Canada's
most famous bridge design firms, SRC Engineering, Collings Johnston Inc.,
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the Applied Science
Technologists and Technicians of BC. Visit our
sponsors' page for further information.
The author with 1997 contest winners Clarissa Gamboa and Vanessa Wong (117.5 kg
supported)
Visit Physics On-line (a companion site
providing general physics resources)
Contact me by e-mail
This contest has been held annually since 1980.
Hundreds of bridges have been tested. The students who take part in the contest are
enrolled in either Physics 11 or Physics 12 at Notre Dame
Regional Secondary School in Vancouver, BC, Canada. All physics students at
Notre Dame take part in the contest. While there is an evaluation component to the
contest, the primary aim is for students to experiment with materials, in this case balsa
wood and glue, and learn about structure and strength. Instructors wishing more
information on the contest, in particular on the way it is run, may wish to contact me directly. A package of materials is available
for instructors at a nominal fee to cover photocopying and shipping costs. A contest such
as this is relatively straightforward and inexpensive to offer. There is no need for any
"sophisticated" testing equipment.
