TSJC shows what good engineering can do!

 Trinidad State Junior College’s, Civil Engineering Technology students assisted Colorado State University-Pueblo with the engineering, design, and technology contests, held in Pueblo Colorado, at the Pueblo Mall on March 4, 2006. The contests were held to encourage area middle and high school students to explore engineering as a career choice. The pre-college students competed in several design events, including the concrete barge contest. TSJC was asked to present a demonstration of the design and construction of concrete barges.

Trinidad’s engineering technology students were challenged to design floating transports, or barges, made of concrete, which would be judged on the efficiency of their carrying capacity. The efficiency was determined by taking the load that a barge could carry, and dividing it by the weight of the barge. The barges had to be monolithic, or cast as one piece. The barges could not be painted or sealed, though colored concrete was allowed. No internal reinforcement, except chicken wire, was allowed to give the barges additional strength. The size limit of the concrete barges was set at 12 inches wide by 16 inches long by 10 inches deep. There were no restrictions on the type of aggregate used.

The contest afforded teams five minutes to load their barge with as much weight as possible. Time started when the barge was placed in the water tank, and ended at the five minute limit, when the barge capsized, or when the student elected not to add any more weight. Fully loaded barges were required to remain afloat for 30 seconds, to prove their stability.  TSJC sent four teams with seven barges to the demonstration in Pueblo.

Surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, students loaded their barges with as much weight as they dared. Many spectators called out advice on the loading of the barges, and students had to deal with mounting pressure as the barges sat lower and lower in the water. Teammates Lambott and Zambonato watch anxiously after placing another sand bag in the most efficient of TSJC’s barges.

Zambonato’s steady hand and plenty of cargo space helped keep the most efficient barge afloat, as it is loaded very near the maximum capacity.   This barge carried 19 pounds, and weighed only 7.27 pounds, giving it an efficiency of 261%.

As part of the demonstration, TSJC students gave a short presentation on the design and construction of their barges. College students presented ideas and methods to the younger aspiring engineers, to help the high school and middle school students prepare for next year’s competition. Right, Avis and Salaz describe the large air pocket designed into their second generation barge, which helped it float to a 131% efficiency.

Spectators and team members Padilla and Howard watched in anticipation as Niccoli places another weighted sand bag on their barge. The second most efficient barge of the demonstration carried 16 pounds, weighed only 8.15 pounds, which gave the barge a 196% efficiency.

Though the barge is already low in the water, the team elected to add just one more weight, trying to achieve 200% efficiency. While teammates Padilla and Howard laugh, and spectators cheer the effort, Niccoli hangs his head, as he watches the second most efficient barge sink below the surface.

TSJC’s engineering students faced many challenges in preparing for the concrete barge demonstration, and did a superb job meeting each one. Projects like this help to insure that TSJC’s graduates will be prepared to face the engineering challenges of tomorrow.  For information about TSJC’s Civil Engineering Technology program, please contact Travis Pearson at 719-846-5537.