Southwest Mississippi RC&D Council

COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Question:
The deflection criterion for the deck is specified as "maximum deck span length"/400. Is this "length" the clear span between main bridge supporting members?
Answer:
Yes, maximum deck span length is the clear span between main bridge supporting members that contact the deck. These members may be longitudinal or they may be transverse. See second paragraph of "Max. Vertical Deck Deflection" in Rules. Divide the distance from inside edge of supporting member to inside edge of adjacent member by 400.

Question:
The on-line entry form has space to list only 7 team members on page 2. Our team is significantly larger than this. How are we to enter the remaining members on the form?
Answer:
If you have more than 6 team members, in the 7th block of the template enter "continue on page 6", then list the remaining team members AFTER the bridge description is entered.

Question:
The original brochure with competition rules under the report section asked for an abstract "using a max of 200 words..." However, the rules on the web and the on-line entry form call for abstract with max of 500 words. Have the guidelines for the abstract been changed? Has some other portion of the contest report been altered to cause the abstract to need to be longer than 200 words?
Answer:
We decided to allow for 500 words max in each Abstract and Bridge Description. If you need less, fine.

Question:
The response to question of 3-9-00 implies that no post-construction treatment will be satisfactory to qualify a bridge built with untreated wood members. Is this true?
Answer:
No, there are post-treatment methods that will be adequate, including drilling holes for borate rods for internal diffusion, etc. Additionally, the judges will evaluate the overall picture of what percentage of entries failed to meet the treatment requirements. Whatever their decision, contestants that made a concerted effort to meet treatment requirements will be points ahead!

Question:
The rules for the contest state that the load setup must be moved transversely to test the bridge and its deck at their weakest points. I understand this to mean that the load is moved side to side but not end to end. The "Test Set Up: Plan View" displays this as well. The loading blocks are constantly spaced 1500 mm from either end but are variably spaced from the sides. Is this the correct way to interpret the rules?
Answer:
Yes, your interpretation is correct. Move the setup toward curb as needed to position at least two of the load points over the deck®s weakest points, then select one of these points to monitor for deck deflection. Also note that since the selected loading point to be monitored "must be halfway between any transverse members...that make contact with the deck®s underneath surface" and since the load setup cannot be moved longitudinally, the loading configuration must be considered during the bridge design process. If you build a bridge with transverse support members at or near and not equi-distant longitudinally from the loading points, you have a problem!

Question:
The rules state that deck deflection shall be adjusted by subtracting the average deflection recorded in the 2 longitudinal beams immediately to the left and right of the selected loading point. How does this apply if the maximum deck deflection occurs in a cantilevered section of the deck where there is only one adjacent longitudinal member?
Answer:
If the selected loading point for measuring deck deflection falls in a cantilevered section of the deck, then adjust by deflection recorded in the outside longitudinal beam closest to the selected loading point.

Question:
The rules state that deck deflection shall be adjusted by subtracting the average deflection recorded in the 2 longitudinal beams immediately to the left and right of the selected loading point. How does this apply if the maximum deck deflection occurs in a cantilevered section of the deck where there is only one adjacent longitudinal member?
Answer:
If the selected loading point for measuring deck deflection falls in a cantilevered section of the deck, then adjust by deflections recorded in the 2 outside longitudinal beams (one closest to the selected loading point and one on the opposite side of the bridge). If the selected loading point is not cantilevered, subtract average deflections in the 2 longitudinal beams immediately to the left and right as instructed in the rules.

Question:
The rules under the Load Application and Deflection Measurements section reads "Loads to be applied at 5 equal increments of 4 kN each." Will the template be updated to agree with the contest rules?
Answer:
We discovered this error on March 6. The template is being updated to agree with contest rules.

Question:
The sketch shows a curb required to extend the full length of the bridge. If the bridge is of such a design that above-deck support members connect directly to the deck, can the curbs be deleted at these contact points?
Answer:
Yes. Just fill in any open areas with the required 40mm x 80mm curb.

Question:
Under Design Criteria, please clarify the statement that there is no length limitation on built-up and laminated members provided that the individual pieces, including plywood, used in making the member do not exceed 1.6 meters.
Answer:
Simply put, if a material is purchased in lengths greater than 1.6 meters, it must be cut up and rejoined as a part of a built-up member in order to meet the criteria. For example, a microlam, glulam, or LVL beam cannot be used as a longitudinal stringer as a single 3.3 meter piece; nor can it be used as a component of a I-beam, box beam, etc. in any length exceeding 1.6 meters. The same applies to plywood, OSB, etc. The intent is to stimulate creativity in spanning the 3.3 meters.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7