Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Paul Schneyder of Lockheed Martin keeps a close eye on a competing bridge during the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition at the Viewmont Mall in Dickson City.
Niko J. Kallianiotis/For The Times Leader
Adam Zapotok of Hanover Area High School prepares his bridge to compete in the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition, Saturday at the Viewmont Mall. Helping at left is Paul Schneyder of Lockheed Martin. Below, the Wyoming Valley West High School entry in the event.
Niko J. Kallianiotis/For The Times Leader
DICKSON CITY – Building bridges that can hold up to 100 times their own weight takes skill, an attention to detail, and understanding of engineering principles, according to local educators. More than 30 students from about 20 local school districts possessing those skills competed in the 23rd annual Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition Saturday at the Viewmont Mall.
Organizers lauded the creativity and efficiency exhibited by the model bridges. The top three winners, all from Valley View High School, created spans that held more than 80 times their own weight. First place winner Anthony Galantini put together a bridge that weighed 16 grams but held approximately 1,800 grams, giving it the strength to hold 106 times its own weight. Second place winner Tyler Chesko’s bridge held more than 90 times and third place Bryan Rupp’s held 80 times.
Galantini and Chesko now qualify for international competition scheduled in Chicago in May of this year. Both expect to be very competitive for that test.
The secret to bridge building may be less is more, according to judge Frank Summa from the engineering firm of Greenman-Pedersen Inc. of Scranton. Very basic lightweight designs seem to perform the best, he said.
Proper use of arches and trusses ensure the bridges strength, he added.
However, the most important ingredient is the effort put into bridge design, he said. It can be a very “labor intensive” project.
Bryan Rupp, said he participates in the contest because of the challenge and because he enjoys bridge building. He was happy with how his bridge performed.
Contestant Levi Propst from Honesdale High School upheld a continuing family tradition in bridge competition. This weekend’s competition was his fourth, his older brother won the contest several times and his sister took second place last year.
He said the results of his bridge test were “not phenomenal.” However, bridge building is a fun way to get involved in the sciences, he added.
Each contestant was required to build a bridge which met specific design requirements such as it must be made from 3/32-inch square basswood, weigh no more than 25 grams, be no longer than 400 millimeters, no taller than 150 millimeters and no wider than 80 millimeters, according to co-director Donald Kieffer. Several judges from local universities and engineering firms reviewed the bridges before they were weight tested, Kieffer said.
In addition to the efficiency awards, an excellence in architecture award was won by Zach Smith from Elkland Area High School, Tioga County, according to Kieffer. That award focused more on the aesthetic quality of the bridge. Kieffer said this year’s competitors showed a flair for uniqueness in their designs.
Kieffer is confident the top two winners will have a good shot in international competitions. They will have time to perfect their designs after seeing them tested, he added.
Matthew Novak from Wyoming Valley West High School finished in sixth place and Daniel Tomko from Hanover Area School District finished 16th.