Bridge building in the colorado rockies: A mechanical engineering major’s perspective

Abstract

Select cadets at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) were given the unique opportunity to work closely with the U.S. Forest Service to design and construct a pedestrian bridge in the White River National Forest near Breckenridge, CO. The 35-foot long bridge spanned a white water mountain stream at an elevation of 11,200 feet. The cadet-constructed bridge replaced a temporary marina dock ramp, allowing the temporary bridge to be returned to its proper use. This cadet-led project required geotechnical, hydrologic, and structural engineering analyses and design prior to construction of the bridge, as well as the application of construction engineering and management principles and methods throughout the planning and construction process. The cadet team followed Forest Service design parameters, including making the bridge both wide enough and strong enough to accommodate ATVs for search and rescue missions. The bridge was also designed to accommodate the approximately 30,000 annual hikers on the popular McCullough Gulch trail. Cadets designed and analyzed the bridge during the academic year and constructed the bridge during a three-week summer period. This unique “theory to practice” opportunity provided invaluable engineering experience and prepared the team to handle complex challenges facing them as soon-to-be officers and engineers in the United States Air Force. This project also presented an exceptional learning perspective during the construction segment that is often missed in the classroom setting. The paper and presentation will describe the lessons learned and unique perspective of an undergraduate mechanical engineering major throwing himself wholeheartedly into a comprehensive civil engineering experience.