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Students take a shot at Bay Bridge challenge
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Demonstrating a prototype bridge model are E36 students (from left) economics junior David Wood, ME junior Jimmy Quintana, CEE sophomore Kelsey Bulkin, and CEE junior Kyle Delwiche. Wood’s team won the competition and a $500 prize.
RACHEL JACKSON PHOTO
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For his new class in engineering mechanics last fall, CEE professor Robert Bea challenged 115 undergraduates to do something that has deadlocked Bay Area city planners and politicians for the better part of last year: Design a replacement for the seismically challenged eastern span of the Oakland–San Francisco Bay Bridge.
The class was such a resounding success that not one, but two prize-winning teams emerged, and those who participated say the experience profoundly deepened their understanding of engineering.
“We take a lot of classes that are theoretical,” said CEE junior Kyle Delwiche, “but in this one we got to apply the theory. I have a better idea of what engineering is really about.”
Designed to provide a mastery of engineering mechanics core concepts, the class was centered on a project that would present practical obstacles and inspire creativity. Working in 21 teams, the students designed and built models of their bridges within the real-world constraints of aesthetics, load, safety, and budget, then presented their designs in class. The course culminated with a competition in Sibley Auditorium, where four top teams presented and tested their designs for a live audience, who then selected winners by ballot, “American Idol”–style.
Assisting Bea in designing and teaching the class were graduate student instructors Kofi Inkabi (M.S.’00 CEE), Jenet Alviso (M.S.’02 CEE), and Rune Storesund (B.S.’00, M.S.’02 CEE).
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