The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) held the annual SAICE International Bridge Building competition on Friday, 26 August, at the Midrand Conference Centre in Gauteng. Twelve schools participated in the grand finale, which saw great, young minds from South Africa and Eswatini showcase talent, team work, innovation and design.
“The bridge building teams consist of three learners each. They build model bridges from dowel sticks, glue and string, according to a technical briefing. This event then culminates in a bridge testing ceremony to determine the winners.” Memory Scheepers.
“The main aim of the competition is to test the load that each bridge can handle. At the end of the competition, the teams had to endure a stressful period, where their bridges were put through a loading apparatus that piles load stress onto the bridge until the breaking point, or the bridge’s ultimate limit state.” Oliver Rowe
- Fairvale Secondary School – Durban
- Hoërskool Diamantveld – Kimberley
- Boitumelong Senior Secondary School – Johannesburg
- Mamolemane Secondary School – Seshego
- Hoërskool Oosterland – Secunda
- Sarel Cilliers High School – Glencoe
- Brackenfell High School – Cape Town
- Hoërskool Jim Fouché – Bloemfontein
- Domino Servite School – Pietermaritzburg
- Die Hoërskool Menlopark – Pretoria
- Mkhuzweni High School – Eswatini
- Thohoyandou Technical High School – Thohoyandou
Brackenfell High School were the winners of this year’s competition. The weight of the bridge was 131.7g and the carry weight was 164.1kg. Hoërskool Jim Fouché followed in second place. The weight of the bridge was 106.4g and the carry weight was 76.5kg. In third place was Fairvale Secondary School. The weight of the bridge was 108.6g and the carry weight was 58.3kg. Domino achieved 6th place.
Source: SAICE Bridge Building Competition Press Release
