Before beginning the post construction check, the rules allow the
Team
Captain and one other team member to inspect the bridge to see if anything was
missed. They may not touch the bridge but may use measuring equipment as
necessary to verify compliance with spatial requirements. The Judges are not to
provide any input to this process, even if they see a problem.
If the inspection team finds a problem that can be fixed with additional
construction repair time, they are allowed to. The stop watch is reset and
accidents and penalties are assessed as they occur. Since the scoring treats
time and accidents differently under repair time than during initial
construction, the time and accidents are placed where indicated for repair time
on the forms.
Once the Team Captain turns the bridge over to the Judges for the post construction
check, the team can do no more work on the bridge. It is inspected 'as is' by the
Judges. Judges are to use the checklist and rules to verify compliance of the
bridge. Any violations are recorded on the judging form. Teams are NOT allowed to fix
any violations found at this stage.
Once the Judges finish their work, they meet with the Team
Captain to review
the results. If the Team Captain disputes the findings or asks for
clarifications he/she works with the Lane Judges to resolve the issues. If the
disputes are not resolved, the Head Judge is called in to make a ruling.
At the end of this process the Team Captain is to sign the bottom of the form
which, along with the rest of the judging forms, is then given to the Marshal
who escorts the bridge to the next station.
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Common Violations
There are several common violations that seem to with disappointing
frequency. Some are design issues, others are either fabrication or
erection issues. The following sections are intended to warn bridge
designers and to alert the judges.
Rules 9.2.1 and 9.2.2:
The bridge must be 3.1/2" below the decking support. This is a new
rule this year and it is possible that there will be clearance issues here.
Pay particular attention to the drawings for all spatial requirements.
Rule 9.2.4:
Click on thumbnail for
larger image
Rule 9.2.4
Rule 9.2.8
Rule 9.4
Parts of the bridge (including fasteners and parts that bear on the
ground) must not extend beyond the vertical plane defined by the ends of the
decking support surfaces at each end of the bridge.
Common Error: Most of the violations have to do with
fasteners or cross pieces extending beyond the plane defined in the
rules. A level or a plumb bob can be used to verify that a part of the
bridge extends beyond the decking support.
Rules 9.2.8, 9.2.9, & 9.4:
The concept of clearance under the bridge and for a passage way is
nothing new. What is different the past two years is the passageway
clearance is below the deck. There have always been clearance problems
at the competition as teams, for some unknown reason, feel the need to push
these limits.
The concept of a "nominal centerline" was new with the 2007 rules and is
retained this year. There was some dispute about compliance with the
predecessor of this specification at the 2006 national competition. The
addition of this centerline seems to help resolve similar conflicts. The
center line is used to help define the straight passage way specified in the
rules. The video illustrates how these
clearances are checked.
The clearance is typically measured with a template.
Alternatively, the judges may measure from a taunt string line if there is a
question of the flatness of the floor. The height of this clearance varies
from year to year and is likely to be different than shown in the
accompanying image.
