Egbc Tru Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest 2023

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EGBC South Central Branch

&
Thompson Rivers University

Present

The 18th Annual Popsicle Stick


Bridge Contest!
2023 April 29
This year’s 18th Annual EGBC TRU Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest is a continuation our
Annual EGBC TRU Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest in its original format that has been on hiatus
since our 17th Annual EGBC TRU Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest held in March 2020.

Popsicle Stick Bridges will be tested to destruction ‘live’ in person using our Popsicle Stick
Bridge Testing Machine on Saturday 2023 April 29. For those uncomfortable or unable to
attend the live event, Popsicle Stick Bridges may be tested in absentia. We will be recording
the testing on video and provide a link for viewing; however, we will not be able to broadcast
the testing live. (Note that we cannot guarantee the completeness and success of video
recording and editing.)
Participants are encouraged – but not required - to pre-register this year by submitting an email
[email protected].
Otherwise, the rules, requirements and prizes for the 18th Annual EGBC TRU Popsicle-Stick
Bridge Contest are the same as ever!

Location: TRU Trades & Technology Building Room


Carpentry Lab Room TT203
Date: Saturday 2023 April 29
Time: 09:30 Onwards

Entries will be accepted in the following categories:


 Elementary - Grades 7 and Under
 Secondary - Grades 8 to 12
 Open - Public, mixed-category teams, university students (except P.Eng's).
 Corporate - Open to professional engineers or engineering firms only.

Prizes:

CATEGORY 1ST PRIZE 2ND PRIZE 3RD PRIZE


Elementary $150 $100 $75
Secondary $150 $100 $75
Open and Corporate $150 $100 $75
Corporate Corporate Cup -- --
The Contest:
The goal of the contest is to construct the strongest bridge possible with 100 Popsicle sticks
and white glue. The bridge must span a 500 mm gap; otherwise, the design of the bridge is left
up to the competitor. Specifications are included on the following pages.

Anyone is welcome to participate. You are encouraged to register early, but you can register
on site the day of the competition. Contestants may enter bridges individually or as a team.

TRU Campus Map www.tru.ca

Carpentry Lab
Room TT203
Official 2021 Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest Rules
Registration:

1. Each bridge built by a team or an individual contestant is considered 1 entry.


2. Please print legibly. Bridges may be pre-registered or registered on site the day of the
completion.
3. Start early, as you will have to build the bridge in steps. It would be difficult to build it in
one go due to the varying orientations of surfaces to be glued.

Construction:

1. The bridge must be built with a maximum of 100 Popsicle sticks and white all purpose
glue, white wood glue or white/yellow carpenters glue. No other glues are
acceptable.

2. Popsicle sticks must be left whole. They must not be cut, split, or otherwise altered.

3. The bridge must span a 500mm gap and fit within the attached clearance envelope. We
recommend that the bridge be at least 550mm long to ensure that the bridge does not
fall through the 500mm gap when the load is applied.

4. The highest centre portion of the bridge must be designed to contact a 100mm wide
loading plate through which the “Bridge Buster” will apply loading to the bridge.

5. Bridges will be inspected at registration. Any violations of the rules outlined above
will result in disqualification from the official results, but the contestant(s) will still be
allowed to have their bridge tested unofficially.

Testing the Bridges:

1. Bridges will be weighed before being loaded. In the event of a tie, the lightest bridge wins.

2. Bridges will be loaded from the top with a loading plate as described in 4 above and shown
in the diagram below. Loading will be increased and measured electronically until the
bridge fails.

3. For the safety of all involved, bridge loading will be done behind a protective screen.
Contestants and spectators will be expected to stand clear of the loading area and
follow directions of officials at all times during the event.
4. The winner is the bridge that holds the largest load prior to failure.

5. All bridges will be loaded to the point of failure unless the contestant decides not to
continue with incremental loads in order to save their bridge!

Teams:
1. The oldest team member will determine the team’s entrance category.

Registration Package:
The Contest Rules and Information will be posted on the TRU Website.

Dimensional Specifications:
The 18th Annual
Popsicle-Stick Bridge
Contest
Saturday 2023 April 29

Entry Form
REGISTRATION
No:

Contest Judging Date: 202 April 29


Please email a copy of this entry form (or the information required) to complete it to
[email protected] prior to the date of the Popsicle-Stick Bridge
Competition – or bring a copy to the TRU Trades and Technology Building Carpentry Lab
Room TT203 on the morning of 2023 April 29 between 0930 and 1030 when you drop off
your Popsicle Stick Bridge.

Team Name (optional):

School, Business or Corporation Name:

Phone Number of Member / Team Contact:

Team member’s names and birth dates (please print legibly):

Last name: First name: Birth Date:

Last name: First name: Birth Date:

Last name: First name: Birth Date:

Last name: First name: Birth Date:

Category:  Elementary (grades 7 and under)


 Secondary (grades 8 to 12)
 Open (public, mixed-category teams, university students, except PEngs.)
 Corporate Cup (Professional Engineers or Engineering Firms only)

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