Collegiate concrete canoers head to national finals

RESTON, VA. — Twenty-two teams of engineering students from across the country and Canada will meet at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, June 17–19, in a bid to win the “America’s Cup of Civil Engineering” at the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) 23rd annual National Concrete Canoe Competition.

Throughout the year, teams of civil engineering students logged thousands of hours researching, designing, and constructing their concrete canoes in search of the winning combination of creativity, knowledge, and teamwork. After coming out on top in regional competitions throughout the spring, the best and brightest from 22 top engineering schools will match wits and skills as they put their concrete creations to the test in a series of events at the national finals. The 2010 finalists are:

School (canoe name)
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Amazona)
Clemson University (Terra Amicus)
École de technologie supérieure (Montferrand)
Fairmont State University (The Privateer)
Louisiana Tech University (Deuces Wild)
Michigan Technological University (Yooper)
New Mexico State University (Billy the Kid)
Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey (Orca)
San Jose State University (Orion)
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (Rock ‘n Row)
The University of Alabama (Spirit of 1831)
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (Supercharger)
University of Akron (Lockkeeper)
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (Space Bulls)
University of California, Los Angeles (Premiere)
University of Houston (Steer Clear)
Université Laval (The Norseman)
University of Nevada-Reno (Battle Born)
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (Hess’s Warning)
University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Flying Dutchman)
University of Washington (Tahoma)
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Centennial)

The competition is both academic and athletic, with each team’s score being based on engineering design and construction principles used in the creation of the canoe, as well as results from men’s, women’s and co-ed race events.

The scores are divided into four components that are each worth 25 percent of the final score: a design paper, an oral presentation, the final product, and the results of five different races — men’s and women’s slalom/endurance races, and men’s, women’s and co-ed sprint races. First, second, and third place winners receive academic scholarship awards of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500, respectively.

Helping to make this year’s events possible are the 2010 sponsors: World of Concrete, Baker Concrete Construction, U.S. Silica, Holcim, and Flatiron.

For more information about the competition, including downloadable, high-resolution photos, or a complete schedule of events, please visit www.concretecanoe.asce.org, or https://nccc2010.calpoly.edu/events, respectively. For more information about the ASCE, please visit www.asce.org.