The team began working on the project in the fall semester when the competition rules were released in September by AISC and ASCE. The team completed all necessary research before completing five different alternative designs compliant with the rules. The designs consisted of:
- A partial undertruss
- A partial overtruss
- Two Beam Bridges
- A full overtruss
Each design was created in visual analysis and was able to predict a deflection based on each of the presented 11 loading cases in the rules. The final design selected by the team was a modified version of the partial undertruss bridge. The bridge was selected due to its lightweight and its ability to be constructed quickly, which would benefit the team in competition. Following the bridge design completion, connections were then designed throughout the bridge. Double shear pin connections as well as bearing connections will be used along the bridge. Materials for the final design were ordered and are expected to arrive before the end of the year. During winter break, the team plans on fabricating the bridge based on CAD drawings produced by the team, which will allow for the spring semester to be dedicated to construction practice before the regional competition in April.