Post Construction

Have the construction site completely ready prior to the start of the competition
Assign a Marshal to the bridge. The Marshal should have the judging forms for the bridge.
A set of the rules and current clarifications at each construction lane.
Templates for verifying that clearance and spatial requirements have been met.
String for the centerline and for checking clearances when the supporting surface is not flat.
Tape measure (25 ft or more).
Plumb bob or four foot level.
A clipboard with pencil for each construction lane.

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Clearance Check Video: Clearance.wmv, 3:24 minutes, 8.8 MB

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Before beginning the post construction check, the rules allow the two builders (see rule 11.10) 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 judging 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 9.3.5 and 9.3.6:

The bridge must be 3.1/2" below the decking support. This was a new rule last year and there were a number of clearance issues here. Pay particular attention to the drawings for all spatial requirements.

Rule 9.3.3:

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Rule 9.3.3

Rule 9.2.8

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 9.3.10 & 9.3.11:

The concept of clearance under the bridge and for a passage way is nothing new. What is different the past few 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 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.

The concept of a "nominal centerline" was new with the 2007 rules and used through the 2010 competition. The nominal centerline is not a part of the 2011 competition.