TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION ®

ENGINEERING STRUCTURE

OVERVIEW

Participants use basic engineering techniques to evaluate designs

they have modeled and tested. Each team researches, designs, and
tests models to determine superior engineering.

CHALLENGE

Research, model, and test a structure designed to hold the greatest

load. Each team is given the selected span to be tested and must
plan and then construct a model using the supplied materials within
R This structure is two and one-half (2½) hours. The model is submitted for destructive
the same bridge used testing.
in the 1980s by both
ELIGIBILITY
high school and middle
school participants. Participants are limited to one (1) team of two (2) members per
chapter.

SAFETY

Participants are required to provide and wear safety glasses for this
event. TSA will not supply safety glasses.

TIME LIMITS
A. Participants have two and one-half (2½) hours to complete their
structure.

B. The time clock starts when the span is announced.

ATTIRE

Casual TSA attire as described in Competitive Events Attire is the

minimum requirement.

PROCEDURE
A. Participants report to the event area at the time and place stated
in the conference program.

B. Teams are checked in using the registration list and are seated
at work tables.

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C. Planning materials are issued during check-in.

D. Participants sketch their design before constructing their

model.

E. Time begins when the dimensions of the structure are

announced.

F. No one may leave the event area without the permission of the
event coordinator.

G. As each structure is completed, an adhesive sticker noting

the team’s number is placed on the structure by the team for
identification.

H. Participants remove pins before submitting the structure for

evaluation. Structures with pins left in the structure are not
tested.

I. The structures are destructively tested and their test results are

J.
recorded. Public viewing is allowed at this time.

Ten (10) finalists are announced at the awards ceremony.

R Safety glasses
are a requirement for
this event. (Those
REGULATIONS
without glasses
A. Students are required to provide and wear safety glasses for
are not allowed to
this event.
participate.) Every
B. Each team will supply cutting tools and fabrication supplies,
which will be examined for compliance at check-in. All tools and student should bring a
supplies must fit in a a single space that measures twelve inches pair that is familiar and
by six inches by four inches (12" x 6" x 4"). Tools that do not fit in
comfortable.
the space will not be permitted on the competition floor. All tools
must be labeled with the school name and contact information.
The tools allowed for the Engineering Structure event include:
1. two cutting devices; the team will check in and use one (1) or
two (2) of the following:
a. modeling knife
b. miter box and saw
c. a blade and anvil cutter
d. another approved cutting device
2. one (1) ounce of “super glue”
Note: cyanoacrylate (CA) glue comes in a variety of
thicknesses. A team may elect to use one-half (1/2) ounce
of thin CA and one-half (1/2) ounce of filler CA for a total of
one (1) ounce of adhesive. The glue must be in the original
bottle with a manufacturer’s label, which is clearly marked
with the capacity. One-half (1/2) ounce of glue in a one (1)
ounce bottle will be considered one (1) ounce of glue.

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3. a single two (2) ounce bottle of accelerator [pressurized,

aerosol applicators are not allowed; a pump or drip applicator
of two (2) ounces or less is acceptable]
4. straight pins, as needed
5. simple clamps, such as clothes pins, binder’s clips or twisty
ties; all clamps must be removed before the structure is
submitted for testing
6. a cutting surface that fits in the approved space and prevents
modeling knives from marring the table top
7. a single 12" ruler
8. emery boards of various grits
C. Teams will pick up the following supplied materials:
1. Consumable supplies
—twenty feet (20') of 1/8" by 1/8" balsa wood
2. Planning and fabrication supplies (these materials are not
part of the structure submitted for testing)
—single sheet of 11" x 17" paper with 1/4" grids for sketching
the structure
—12" x 18" or larger pin board
—sheet of wax paper
—structure label (may not be used as part of the structure)
D. Structural dimension
1. The length of the bridge is the span plus one (1) inch to rest
on each abutment (example: a bridge to cross a 10" span
would need 2" added; therefore, the correct length would be
12").
2. The span of the bridge is between 8" and 14" in even whole-
inch increments.
3. The width of the structure will be no less than 2 3/4" and no
more than 4"
4. The height will be no greater than 3" above the plan of
abutment.
E. Internal clearance - The structure should be placed easily,
without pressure or twisting, by the judging staff. No part of the
bridge will touch the face of the abutments when placed in the
testing device. The testing will not be stopped if the structure
bends and contacts the face during failure.

F. Laminations
1. Laminations may not exceed two (2) pieces.
2. The grain must run in the same direction to be considered
lamination.
G. The center of the bridge must provide clear passage for the test
rod.

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H. Public viewing is permitted when the structures are destructively

tested. Video recording is permitted only of each participant’s
own entry.

I. The bottom of the test block may not rest higher than 3/8" above
the plan of abutment.

EVALUATION
A. All structures are destructively tested by attaching a testing
device of the coordinator’s choice to the test block and adding
resistance until the structure fails.

B. The test blocks are 2 3/4" in width and 2" less than the span.
1. The length of the test block for a span of 8" is 6" long.
2. The length of the test block for a span of 10" is 8" long.
3. The length of the test block for a span of 12" is 10" long.
4. The length of the test block for a span of 14" is 12" long.
C. Structures are NOT tested if:
1. Pins are still in place.
2. The center is blocked.
3. The bottom of the test block rests higher than 3/8" about the
plan of abutment.
4. The structure is 1" greater than the span (example: the
structure would not be tested if the span is 12" and the
structure submitted for testing is 12 3/4" long).
5. Three (3) or more pieces in the structure are laminated.
6. The test block is unable to pass from end to end of the
structure.
D. Deductions of 20% of the greatest weight held in the event are
given for:
1. Failure to submit a plan.
2. The structure is 1/4" less than or 1/4" greater than the
required length.
3. The structure fails to comply with width or height
regulations.

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STEM INTEGRATION

This event has connections to the STEM areas noted below. Please
refer to the STEM INTEGRATION section of this guide.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Leadership skills promoted in this event:

• Critical Thinking: Students make the best possible use of

limited resources to build a structure. Use leadership lessons:
Don’t Buy It and The Reporter
• Problem Solving: Students build a structure to meet required
specifications. Use leadership lessons: Leaning Tower of…
and Try This!
• Teamwork: Students work with a partner to build a structure.
Use leadership lessons: Airplane and Back to Back

Additional leadership skills promoted in this event:

• Communication
• Decision Making/Evaluation
• Organization

TSA AND CAREERS

This competition has connections to one or more of the career areas

featured in the TSA AND CAREERS section of this guide. Use The
16 Career Clusters chart and the TSA Competitions and Career
Clusters grid as resources for information about careers.

CAREERS RELATED TO THIS EVENT

Architect
Civil engineer
Engineering technician
Mathematician
Structural iron and steel worker

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ENGINEERING STRUCTURE
EVENT COORDINATOR INSTRUCTIONS

PERSONNEL
A. Event coordinator

B. Event evaluators, three (3)

C. Monitors, one (1) for every ten (10) teams to hand out materials
and observe during the construction phase of the event

MATERIALS
A. Coordinator’s notebook, containing:
1. Event guidelines, four (4)
2. Official rating forms, fifteen (15)
3. List of entries with finalist report
4. List of evaluators/assistants
5. Marking pens for evaluators
6. ID tags or stick-on tabs to identify entries
7. Stopwatch
8. Results envelope
B. The following supplies will be provided to each team:
1. twenty feet (20') of 1/8" x 1/8" balsa sticks
2. pin board (12" x 18" or larger)
3. grid paper, 11" x 17" with ¼" grids, one (1) sheet
4. wax paper
5. structure label
C. Tables with adequate space for construction of structures and
two (2) chairs for each team

D. Table and chairs for evaluators

E. Test device for destructive testing of structures, and a test

hook

RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Upon arrival at the conference, report to the CRC room and
check the contents of the coordinator’s notebook. Review the
event guidelines and check to see that enough evaluators/
assistants have been scheduled.

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B. Inspect the area or room in which the event is to be held for

appropriate set-up, including room size, chairs, tables, outlets,
etc. Notify the event manager of any potential problems.

C. One (1) hour before the event is scheduled to begin, meet with
your evaluators/assistants to review time limits, procedures, and
regulations. If questions arise that cannot be answered, speak
to the event manager before the event begins.

D. For participants who violate the rules, the decision either to

deduct twenty percent (20%) of the total possible points or
disqualify the entry must be discussed and verified with the
evaluators, event coordinator, and a CRC manager. Secure the
initials of the coordinator and manager on the rating form.

E. Begin the event at the scheduled time by closing the doors and
checking the entry list. All participants and evaluators should
be in the room at this time. In order to compete, participants
must be on the entry list or must have approval of the CRC
chairperson.

F. Upon check-in, teams will submit their tools for inspection and
qualification. Approved tools will be returned to participants for
use during the fabrication of the structure.

G. When teams have been seated, materials have been distributed,

and the height dimension has been announced, the stop watch
begins to count down the two and one-half (2½) hour time limit.

H. As each structure is completed, place an adhesive sticker with

the team’s number on the structure.

I. Place structures in a secure area to dry and make sure they are
not tampered with before testing.

J. Measure each structure to make sure it meets the specifications

noted.

K. Destructively test each structure and record the greatest weight

it supported before failure.

L. Public viewing is permitted at this time. Video recording is

permitted only of each participant’s own entry.

M. Submit the finalist report, including a ranking of the ten (10)

finalists, and all related forms in the results envelope to the CRC
room.

N. If necessary, manage security and the removal of materials from

the event area.

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ENGINEERING STRUCTURE
2010 & 2011 OFFICIAL RATING FORM MIDDLE SCHOOL

PARTICIPANT/TEAM ID#

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA
Recorded failure weight

Rules violation?*
Rank

PARTICIPANT/TEAM ID#

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA

Recorded failure weight

Rules violation?*

Rank

PARTICIPANT/TEAM ID#

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA

Recorded failure weight

Rules violation?*
Rank

PARTICIPANT/TEAM ID#

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA

Recorded failure weight

Rules violation?*
Rank

*For every rules violation, be sure to indicate by letter and page number the exact rule that is violated.
Comments:

I certify these results to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Evaluator

Printed name: _______________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________

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