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School students testing maximum load of built models

A total of 83 secondary schools took part in the 12th Infrastructure Building Competition which is co-organised by HKU Engineering, IVE and Hong Kong Construction Association In order to arouse their interest in engineering
Mar 30, 2015


Our Dean, Prof. Norman Tien (6th from left), and Assistant Dean, Dr. K.C. Cheung (4th from left), were two of the officiating guests of the Competition

In order to arouse the interest of secondary school students in engineering, our Faculty co-organises the Infrastructure Building Competition with Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi) and Hong Kong Construction Association since 2011 (it was called Bridge Building Competition in 2011, 2012 and 2013) .

This year, 83 secondary schools (including one from Macau) and 138 teams entered the competition.  The Qualifying Round, held on 7 March 2015, tested the static deflections of the models when a 5-kg load was hung onto them.  The sixty models with the lowest deflections went on to the Final Contest which was held on 28 March 2015.

During the Final Contest, a loaded trolley was pulled along the upper surface of the model.  After the trolley made a trip, the load was increased and the trolley is pulled for another trip.  This process was repeated until the model failed.

Prizes were given to the teams that built the model capable of carrying the heaviest load, the model with the highest load efficiency (defined as load carried divided by model mass), and the model with the best design.

Over 138 teams of secondary schools students took part in the Infrastructure Building Competition
Over 138 teams of secondary schools students
took part in the Infrastructure Building Competition
The Dean addressing the audience
The Dean addressing the audience
Loading test to measure static deflection in Qualifying Round
Loading test to measure static deflection in
Qualifying Round
Infrastructure model loaded to destruction in Final Contest
Infrastructure model loaded to destruction in Final Contest