EfID Constructs Pedestrian Bridge Along the Appalachian Trail
Published August 16, 2018
By Paul Cipparone
In July 2018, a team of twenty EfID members traveled to Toms Brook, VA to build a bridge along the Tuscarora Trail. Getting to the actual construction, however, was a months-long process. Students made site assessment trips and consulted with several professional engineers (P.E.’s) to come up with the optimal bridge design. Once the design was finalized, the construction process began. The project consisted of multiple phases and ultimately took seven months to complete.
During Phase I of the project, EfID met with members of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) to determine the bridge location and survey the site. The team took multiple site visits to gather elevation data and stream bank measurements. After collecting sufficient data, students began working on a conceptual bridge design using their classroom knowledge and past experiences. In Phase II, the team developed a structural design based on the AWC-NDS Timber Manual as suggested P.E. and Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering, David Lattanzi. With a strict budget and a set of standards outlined by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, cost-effectiveness, constructability, and environmental impact were all focal points in the bridge’s design. After finalizing hand calculations, RISA-3D software was used to develop an accurate model of the bridge and ensure structural stability.
Unlike the bridge constructed last year, the team decided to forgo the use of gusset plates because they complicated the construction process and added extra costs. After completing a preliminary design, students consulted with a number of P.E.’s for quality control. The meetings with P.E.’s helped students refine their design and learn about the engineering design process. After finalizing the design, the team presented their final design proposal to the PATC. The PATC approved the proposal and commissioned construction, allowing the team to finally begin the construction phase.
Bridge construction was completed over the course of three weekends. The concrete foundation was placed in late May and left to cure to achieve maximum strength. One month later, students returned to begin building the superstructure. During this trip, the beams were assembled but due to inclement weather could not be safely put into place. Two weeks later, the EfID team took one final trip to complete the construction. On the final build day, students hoisted beams into place, added the decking, built handrails, and even included a walk-up staircase to the bridge deck. This marked the completion of the bridge structure.
At every phase of the project, students were forced to go beyond their classroom knowledge to come up with real-world solutions. This project allowed students to learn about surveying, drafting, modeling, and project management, while fulfilling a need in their community. This project was an amazing bonding experience for the EfID students as they worked together every step of the way to finish the project. At the end of the day, EfID was able to create something that will impact the community for years to come, while providing students with a unique learning experience.
Special Thanks to:
Faculty Advisor Matt Doyle P.E.
Associate Professor in Structural Engineering Girum Urgessa P.E.
Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering David Lattanzi P.E.
Lauren Clark P.E.
Amy Floren P.E.
Jameelah Muhammad P.E.
Khatereh Vaghefi P.E.
Brenda Villarreal E.I.T.
EfID Elects New Officers for 2018-2019 School Year
From Left to Right: Alejandro Villamizar, Michael Belay, Omar Azizi, Andrew Simpson, Anna Close, Mubeen Farukh, Min Lu Kelly-Durham
Published April 4, 2018
EfID welcomes the 2018-2019 Executive Board!
President: Andrew Simpson
Vice President: Omar Azizi
Treasurer: Anna Close
Operations Manager: Mubeen Farukh
Co-Fundraising Chair: Michael Belay
Co-Fundraising Chair: Alejandro Villamizar
VWEA President: Min Lu Kelly-Durham
EfID welcomes the 2018-2019 Executive Board!
President: Andrew Simpson
Vice President: Omar Azizi
Treasurer: Anna Close
Operations Manager: Mubeen Farukh
Co-Fundraising Chair: Michael Belay
Co-Fundraising Chair: Alejandro Villamizar
VWEA President: Min Lu Kelly-Durham
EfID Partners with Pennington to Present STEAM Night
Published March 8, 2018
EfID would like to thank Prince William County Schools, Pennington Traditional School, and Ms. Ann Bullock-Macgowan for welcoming EfID members to present at STEAM night. Pennington's STEAM night aims to introduce elementary and middle school students to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. EfID members presented to an audience of Middle school students and their parents about the field of Engineering. It was a great opportunity to highlight EfID's recent projects, and get students engaged in the field of engineering. Click the link below to learn more about EfID's involvement with STEAM night!
EfID would like to thank Prince William County Schools, Pennington Traditional School, and Ms. Ann Bullock-Macgowan for welcoming EfID members to present at STEAM night. Pennington's STEAM night aims to introduce elementary and middle school students to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. EfID members presented to an audience of Middle school students and their parents about the field of Engineering. It was a great opportunity to highlight EfID's recent projects, and get students engaged in the field of engineering. Click the link below to learn more about EfID's involvement with STEAM night!
EfID Appalachian Trail Bridge Project 2018 Survey Trip
Published February 26, 2018
EfID's 2018 Appalachian Bridge Project is officially underway! Over the past weekend, EfID's bridge team took a trip out to Toms Brook, Virginia, the site of our next bridge build. During the trip, students learned to survey and evaluate different sites in order to pick the optimal one. By the end of the trip, the team had selected a final bridge site, collected elevation data, and determined the placement of the foundation. Over the next few weeks, students will design, model, and ultimately construct the new bridge. Click the link below for the latest updates!
EfID's 2018 Appalachian Bridge Project is officially underway! Over the past weekend, EfID's bridge team took a trip out to Toms Brook, Virginia, the site of our next bridge build. During the trip, students learned to survey and evaluate different sites in order to pick the optimal one. By the end of the trip, the team had selected a final bridge site, collected elevation data, and determined the placement of the foundation. Over the next few weeks, students will design, model, and ultimately construct the new bridge. Click the link below for the latest updates!
EfID Wins Second Place in Engineer's Week 60 Second Video Contest
Pictured here are students, Jack Scherer (Left) and Andrew Simpson (Right), with Associate Dean and Faculty Advisor, Liza Wilson Durant.
Published: February 23, 2018
EfID congratulates everyone who was a part of the Nicaragua Video Project for winning second place in George Mason University's 60-Second video contest. EfID also thanks our amazing Faculty Advisors, Matthew Doyle and Liza Wilson Durant, for all of their hard work on the Nicaragua Project. The team created a video that details EfID's Sustainable Community project in Nicaragua. The video outlines EfID's goal of developing a master plan for a sustainable community that serves low and middle-income families in Nicaragua.
Award Recipients: Andrew Simpson, Jack Scherer, Eden Beth DeVera, Badana Mohamadi, Anna Close, Matthew Doyle, Liza Wilson Durant, Min Lu Kelly Durham, Omar Azizi.
Click the link below to watch the video:
EfID congratulates everyone who was a part of the Nicaragua Video Project for winning second place in George Mason University's 60-Second video contest. EfID also thanks our amazing Faculty Advisors, Matthew Doyle and Liza Wilson Durant, for all of their hard work on the Nicaragua Project. The team created a video that details EfID's Sustainable Community project in Nicaragua. The video outlines EfID's goal of developing a master plan for a sustainable community that serves low and middle-income families in Nicaragua.
Award Recipients: Andrew Simpson, Jack Scherer, Eden Beth DeVera, Badana Mohamadi, Anna Close, Matthew Doyle, Liza Wilson Durant, Min Lu Kelly Durham, Omar Azizi.
Click the link below to watch the video:
EfID Travel Team Returns from Successful Nicaragua Site Assessment Trip
Click the link below to learn more about EfID's trip to Nicaragua!
Jack Austin Dives Into Research Using Finite Element Analysis to Explore the Impacts of Underwater Explosions on Submerged Structures
Andrew Simpson | EfID
Published: November 18, 2017
When Dr. Girum Urgessa, an accomplished Structural Engineer and Associate Professor of Structural Engineering in George Mason’s Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, presented students in his Structural Analysis class with the opportunity to engage in research, Jack Austin did not hesitate to get involved. The research introduced is an ongoing project that consists of using finite element analysis to study submerged structures and vehicles, like submarines, to develop an understanding of how these objects respond to close-range underwater explosions.
Published: November 18, 2017
When Dr. Girum Urgessa, an accomplished Structural Engineer and Associate Professor of Structural Engineering in George Mason’s Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, presented students in his Structural Analysis class with the opportunity to engage in research, Jack Austin did not hesitate to get involved. The research introduced is an ongoing project that consists of using finite element analysis to study submerged structures and vehicles, like submarines, to develop an understanding of how these objects respond to close-range underwater explosions.
First Annual EfID 5k Fun Run Presented By CDM Smith
Omar Azizi
Published: November 12, 2017
EfID is proud to announce that our first ever 5k Fun Run was a major success. Over 70 participants registered for the run, while dozens of supporters cheered them on to the end. We would like to thank all of the 5k participants, our dedicated volunteers, CDM Smith, as well as all of our sponsors.
This event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors: CDM Smith, Arcadis, Dewberry, Orr Partners, Haskell, Sherwood-Logan & Associates, AECOM, HITT, RK&K, Loudoun Water, Hazen and Sawyer, APM Institute, HDR, Trunk and Drawer.
We would like to recognize EfID President, Michael Schindler, and CDM Smith sponsor, Sogol Gremi, for organizing this amazing event. Additionally, we recognize Matt Doyle and Liza Wilson Durant for advising EfID and for providing us with the opportunity to host this event. We hope that this is the first of many more EfID 5k races to come and we look forward to seeing you all next year!
Congratulations to all of the winners of this year's 5k:
Men:
1. Blaize Johnson
2. Xavier Ho
3. Sean Ahearne
Women:
1. Sarah Dickerson
2. Min Lu Kelly-Durham
3. Jennifer Walsh
Youth:
1. Nathan Loomis
2. Luella Adam
Published: November 12, 2017
EfID is proud to announce that our first ever 5k Fun Run was a major success. Over 70 participants registered for the run, while dozens of supporters cheered them on to the end. We would like to thank all of the 5k participants, our dedicated volunteers, CDM Smith, as well as all of our sponsors.
This event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors: CDM Smith, Arcadis, Dewberry, Orr Partners, Haskell, Sherwood-Logan & Associates, AECOM, HITT, RK&K, Loudoun Water, Hazen and Sawyer, APM Institute, HDR, Trunk and Drawer.
We would like to recognize EfID President, Michael Schindler, and CDM Smith sponsor, Sogol Gremi, for organizing this amazing event. Additionally, we recognize Matt Doyle and Liza Wilson Durant for advising EfID and for providing us with the opportunity to host this event. We hope that this is the first of many more EfID 5k races to come and we look forward to seeing you all next year!
Congratulations to all of the winners of this year's 5k:
Men:
1. Blaize Johnson
2. Xavier Ho
3. Sean Ahearne
Women:
1. Sarah Dickerson
2. Min Lu Kelly-Durham
3. Jennifer Walsh
Youth:
1. Nathan Loomis
2. Luella Adam
EfID Fairfax County Tree Planting Event
Omar Azizi
Published: October 28, 2017.
EfID worked with Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division and Volunteer Fairfax to help build the Volunteer Grove at Fairfax County Government Center. During this two day event, EfID members worked to help clear land to plant 25 trees in honor of the 25 years that Fairfax County has recognized volunteers in the community. We would like to thank all of the EfID members who came out to support the project, as well as Fairfax County Urban Forest Management and Volunteer Fairfax for hosting this great event!
Published: October 28, 2017.
EfID worked with Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division and Volunteer Fairfax to help build the Volunteer Grove at Fairfax County Government Center. During this two day event, EfID members worked to help clear land to plant 25 trees in honor of the 25 years that Fairfax County has recognized volunteers in the community. We would like to thank all of the EfID members who came out to support the project, as well as Fairfax County Urban Forest Management and Volunteer Fairfax for hosting this great event!
2017 VWEA Water Jam Presentation
EfID President Michael Schindler and Treasurer Badana Mohamadi presented at the 2017 Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) Water Jam. Michael and Badana participated in the Digital Knowledge Presentation as they showcased their design project to the VWEA Student Activities Committee. Badana also won 2nd place for her video presentation of the Verbo Orphanage Projects!
EfID placed 2nd for the 2017 NCEES Engineering Education Award
EfID won 2nd place for the 2017 NCEES Engineering Education Award. The NCEES Engineering Education Award recognizes college engineering programs for engaging their students in collaborative projects with licensed professional engineers. It was established to promote understanding of the value of licensure and to encourage partnerships between the engineering profession and education.
MembershipGeorge Mason University's Engineers for International Development (EfID) welcomes Mason students of any major, whether at the undergraduate or graduate level. Members will attend monthly meetings, team building events, domestic projects, and even international projects. Make sure to check out our Calendar for upcoming meeting and trip dates!
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The EfID ExperienceBecoming part of EfID allows students to give back to the global community and gain professional experience in multiple fields, including engineering, leadership, IT, marketing, business, education, and international relations. Additionally, students will be able to build their resumes, meet new people, and participate in fun events on and off campus.
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