1. Presented By: Michael Olka P.E.
SECME – Balsa Bridges
Presented By: Michael Olka P.E.

2. What are the teams responsible for building?
The superstructure only
The support is supplied at the testing site

3. Balsa Size Restrictions
Maximum Member cross section is ¼” by ¼”.
Students are allowed to laminate smaller members to create larger ones, however this “built-up” section may not exceed ¼” by ¼”. ¼” ¼” ¼” ¼”

4. The Supplied Support
38 cm
10 cm
6 cm

5. Testing Machine
Leave the center open

6. Load Ratio Weight Ranking of Bridges
The Bridges are ranked according to the Strength to Weight Ratio. Not the Maximum Load.
Load
Ratio
Weight
*The higher the ratio the more efficient the bridge.*

7. Bridge B wins! Example of the Ratio
Bridge A: Weight: 100g Load: 45,359g (100lbs)
Bridge B: Weight: 50g Load: 27,215g (60lbs)
SWR:
SWR:
Bridge B wins!