EfID Appalachian Bridge Project 2018
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.
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.
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Phase 1: Preliminary Site Visit
The objective of this trip was to determine the optimal site for bridge construction. Students surveyed a 200 foot stretch of the stream and selected three possible sites to study. Measurements of stream span and depth were taken of each site. Bridge sites were evaluated based on several factors including potential for erosion, bridge span, and serviceability. Ultimately, final site was selected using engineering judgement. |
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Phase 2: Survey Bridge Site
During the second site visit, students focused on collecting final measurements for bridge site. GPS and surveying tools were used to collect elevation data of each stream bank. Preliminary soil testing was done to determine proper foundation design. Following the survey trip, students modeled the bridge site using AUTOCAD software. |
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Phase 3: Design
After speaking with multiple professors, students began working on the conceptual design for the bridge. Several questions were raised regarding the beam design needed to support the various loads that will be applied to the bridge. Considerations were made for the number of beams required, beam spacing, beam material, and cost effectiveness. |
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Phase 4: Foundation Construction
Once the design was complete, students began construction of concrete foundations. Two tons of concrete were purchased and transported to the bridge site. Students built formwork, excavated both sides of the bank, mixed concrete, and placed it in each formwork. The foundation was covered and allowed to cure for 28 days to achieve sufficient design strength. |
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Phase 5: Superstructure Construction
Students returned to bridge site to assemble and place timber beams across stream. Once all four beams were spanned across the stream, students built decking and handrails to complete the superstructure. This marked the completion of the project. |
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