“DOUBLE DECKER BRIDGE PROBLEM STATEMENT”

Introduction:
A bridge has to be as efficient, as economical and as elegant as is safely possible. This is a
threefold goal of a bridge design that best serves the public interest. This year Aakaar
introduces you to the double decker arch supported bridge which simulates the multiple modes
of transport through single connectivity. These kind of bridges are used in the areas which have
only one way of connectivity to the city from an outer highway or in between the city which has
a river/valley dividing, these type of bridges can support heavy traffic, railway connectivity and
no hindrance to the ships & boats in the water body.

Task:
Design a Double Decker Bridge supported by the trussed arch structure using popsicle sticks,
cotton threads, and Fevicol as adhesive (without utilizing any strengthening coating) that can
sustain the maximum possible load and satisfying all the understated constraints. Your
structure should resemble the below-shown diagram.
**Note: All dimensions are in mm.

Dimensions and Material Specifications-

Bridge In general:
★ End to end distance (end of one footing to the other) of the double decker bridge must be
800 mm with a tolerance of +/- 15 mm.
★ Centre to Centre distance from the one footing to another should be 650 mm with
a tolerance of +/- 10 mm.
★ The height of the bridge (footing plane to the upper deck) is not a fixed length, you
can choose the height from 450 mm to 550 mm.
★ The width of the whole bridge should be 80 mm with a tolerance of +/- 5 mm
(footings excluded).

Decks and roadway:

❖ Length of both the upper and lower decks should be 750 mm with a tolerance of +/- 10
mm.
❖ The height difference between the upper deck and the lower deck should be 200 mm
with a tolerance of +/- 5 mm
❖ Deck must be a beam member which can only be supported by the columns and
tension members (Cables) and a deck should only have 2 beams
❖ Only 2 beams should be connected to each arch and a total of 4 beams should be present
in the whole structure
❖ A maximum of 4 popsicle sticks can be overlapped for a width of the beam (dimensions
of the width) and the maximum depth of the beam should be 15 mm
❖ Upper Deck should be connected only by the compression members (popsicle stick
columns) to the Upper Rib of the arch structure
❖ Lower deck should be in between the two arch frames. (i.e. lower deck should touch
both the arches from the inside)
❖ Supports to the lower deck should be both tension members and compression
members ➢ The same Compression members connected to the lower deck should be
connected to the Upper Rib
❖ The lower deck and lower rib should only be connected by the cables.
❖ Central 100 mm portion from the lower deck to the arch should be left free for loading
the structure
❖ Roadway should only be constructed on two beams on the extreme ends of the bridge
along the width
❖ The roadway must be continuous, horizontal and free from bumps and height of the
roadway should be less 3 mm (1 popsicle stick)
Columns and Cables:
 ➢ There should be 12 columns i.e. 6 on each arch which should only be connecting to the
Upper Rib of the arch
➢ There should be 16 cables i.e. 8 on each arch which will be connecting the Lower Rib of
the arch to the lower deck
➢ Cotton threads are to be used as the cables and the maximum diameter of a cable should
be less than 1 mm
➢ Each cable should consist of only a single thread. Tampering with the thread is not
allowed in any manner
➢ No cables should be connected to the central 100 mm portion of the lower deck to
the Lower Rib of the arch
➢ Only 2 rotations are allowed while tying the cables. You can use a little amount of fevicol
to prevent sliding of the cable connection and also the thread should be visible at the
joint, no fevicol should be used along the cable length
➢ Columns are only supposed to be used for compression in our structure, so cables
should not be replaced by the columns in any manner
➢ Maximum 2 popsicle sticks can be used for the columns however one can overlap 2
more sticks at the joint which makes a maximum of 4 popsicles at joints (except at the
joint with the beam). Overlap length should be less than 30 mm
➢ There should be NO lateral bracing/truss provided to the columns (among the columns
as well as across the columns)

Arch:

Note: All dimensions are in mm.

 ● There should be 2 similar arch frames supporting the whole structure
● Each arch consists of two curves, we name them as the Upper Rib and Lower Rib
● Width of the arch should continuously vary from 60 mm to 120 mm from the central part
of the arch to the top of the footing respectively
● There should be a central 100 mm horizontal part in both ribs with a tolerance of +/- 10
mm Upper and Lower Rib should be connected by the simple truss
● Any joint in the arch should resemble a pin connection
● In the whole arch frame, a maximum of 10 popsicle sticks can meet at any joint
● For each rib of the arch, maximum width is 12 mm and maximum inner depth is 10 mm
● The width of each rib should be less than 12 mm (Width of a popsicle stick)
● Both the arch frames should be connected by the lateral truss only below the lower
deck
● The separation between two truss joints should not be less than 40 mm.
● Every truss used in the structure should be simple truss and no longitudinal overlapping
of the sticks is allowed in the truss (i.e. single stick thickness should be used for truss
except at truss joints

Footings:
➔ Footings should have the dimensions 150 mm *150 mm with the 150 mm length facing
to the front view in the main figure shown above
➔ Any number of sticks can be stacked to form the footing with a height less than 30 mm

Material Constraints:
❖ Popsicle sticks (maximum length 120 mm, width 12 mm and thickness 2 mm) and
Fevicol MR White glue must be used to construct the bridge. The Popsicle sticks can
be cut or trimmed into any shape or size
❖ White-colored Cotton threads should be used for cables
❖ Adhesives can't be connected on the free surface of a part made of Popsicle sticks
to enhance strength.
❖ The team will be disqualified if found using any other material other than those
mentioned.

Testing Criteria:
★ The dimensions of the structure would be measured and the weight of the bridge would
be noted (M)
★ Loading (L) will be done using loading plates supported on both decks at the center of the
 bridge. A chain system would be attached to the plates and load will be applied by a
pulling mechanism
★ All construction and material requirements will be checked prior to testing. Bridges failing
to meet these requirements and constraints will be disqualified or penalized accordingly

Definition of failure:
The structure is considered failed when any of the following happen:
1. Any part of the structure fails while loading.
2. The loading machine registers the maximum load and then load starts decreasing.

Judging Criteria:
Judging of the structure will be done based on these criteria:
1. Dead mass of the bridge (M) in kg
2. The load carried by the structure before it fails (L)
3. The total height of the bridge (H) will be measured (from footing to the upper deck).

Marking Scheme:
1. The value of S2 is determined by the ratio of the load carried by the structure before failure
and deadweight of the bridge
S1 = L/M
L = load in kg; M = mass in kg
2. The value of S2 will be determined by the total height.
S2 = ((H-400)/5
H = Total height in mm.

NOTE:- For every dimension outside the tolerance limits, either a penalty of 5% is there or the
team would be disqualified in extreme cases. Team Aakaar’s decisions would be final.

Final Scoring:
Final competition results will be calculated based on the following formula,
Final Score = (S1+S2) * (1-P/100)
Where, P is the total points of the penalty incurred by the team. In the case of a tie, the team with
the higher S1 will receive a higher rank. In the unlikely event, the teams are still tied, the team with
higher S2 will receive the higher rank.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
● This competition is a bring-from-home competition
● Certificates will be awarded to every participant.
● Participate in teams of a maximum of 4 members, with at least one member should be
majoring in Civil Engineering. Individual participation is also allowed. Participants from
different colleges/organizations/schools can form a team.
● Once the structure is measured, teams will be not permitted to change their structure.
● In case any of these requirements are not met, point deductions (as mentioned) or
disqualification might be forced at the sole discretion of the organizers.
● No certificate will be provided to disqualified teams.
● Aakaar IIT Bombay reserves the right to disqualify any team if they do not follow the
above-mentioned instructions.
● Aakaar, IIT Bombay reserves the right to change any or all of the above rules as they deem
fit. Changes in rules, if any, will be highlighted on the website and notified to the registered
participants.

P.S. : You are advised to start the construction of the bridge soon after registration as it might be
time taking.

Registration Deadline: 17th Feb 2024

FEE TO REGISTER FOR BRIDGE-IT : ₹200/TEAM

PRIZE WORTH: 50,000 INR

For any queries,
Contact: Bibhuti Kumar Mishra (7970893372)
T. Vivek Vardhan Reddy (7032519647)
Mail us: competition.aakaariitb@gmail.com
BEST WISHES FROM TEAM COMPETITIONS, AAKAAR’ 24!!
#DREAM_CONSTRUCT_INNOVATE#