FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2001
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Norida Torriente, American Society of Civil Engineers
Through June 11: 202-326-5129
June 12 -18: On-site cellular: 202-253-5058
E-mail: ntorriente@asce.org
Kelly Mawby, Master Builders, Inc.
Through June 11: 216-831-5500, ext. 2071
June 12-16: 216-780-5964
E-mail: Kmawby@mbt.com
Jack Beresford, SDSU
(619) 594-5204
Lighter, Faster, Sleeker...
Civil engineering students prove they not only make concrete float,
they make it fly!14th Annual ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition
Scheduled June 14-16SAN DIEGO - The best and brightest students from 24 of North America's top civil engineering schools will compete in San Diego June 14-16 to prove that they have successfully engineered the seemingly impossible - designing, building and racing canoes made primarily of concrete.
The 2001 ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition, hosted by San Diego State University, will bring together more than 240 students in a competition for $9,000 in scholarship prizes awarded by Master Builders, Inc. The winning team will need to post the best overall score in categories including the appearance and structural integrity of the canoe, a display illustrating the design and construction of the craft, a written paper and an oral business presentation detailing the canoe's design, construction and materials, and finally, the races.
Far from the floating bathtubs you might imagine, canoes competing at the national level typically resemble fiberglass racing canoes and boast sophisticated designs aimed at achieving the best combination of speed and maneuverability. Many of these canoes are lighter than those constructed of traditional materials and feature walls only 1/4-inch thick. The lightest canoe in this year's competition weighs just 70 lbs. To achieve this light weight, students mix high-tech concrete mixes that are actually lighter than water, using materials such as fly ash, carbon mesh fabric and microballoons.
"When you consider that the ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition has only been around for 14 years, it's amazing to consider how quick students have been to alter concrete and their designs, producing a canoe that rivals Olympic racing canoes in speed and maneuverability," said Master Builders, Inc. President and CEO Mike Shydlowski. "This not only illustrates the versatility of concrete as a building material, but also how agile and talented young minds can maximize its potential through quality design work."
Of course, the question needs to be asked.
Why would anyone want to design a concrete canoe?
"Young engineers can learn everything in the classroom, except how to respond with ingenuity and creativity, daring to overcome impossible challenges," said ASCE President Robert W. Bein, P.E., F.ASCE. "These future engineers will be the ones to solve the problems of global water supply, energy and even space colonization, all of which will require bold and innovative solutions."
The 24 co-ed teams represent ASCE students chapters at premier engineering schools, including San Diego State University, Clemson University, Rowan University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Minnesota, Drexel University, Washington State University, Colorado School of Mines, and the United States Military Academy. The teams, comprised of five men and five women, bested nearly 200 teams this past spring to reach the final echelon for a chance to win scholarships and trophies awarded by Master Builders, Inc.
This year's competition promises to be particularly fierce as 1999 and 2000 ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition winner Clemson University is back to defend their title with a 21 ft., 180 lbs. canoe called Good Fortune. Other powerhouses competing in this "think or swim" event include past winners University of Alabama-Huntsville and the University of California-Berkeley.
"Participation in the ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition is just one of many impressive accomplishments these talented men and women will achieve in their lifetime," said Bein. "These students will tap into the same creativity and intelligence that they've used in designing and building concrete canoes to design and construct our world's infrastructure."
The 14th annual ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition is organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers and is sponsored exclusively by Master Builders, Inc.
For more information visit: www.engineering.sdsu.edu/~asceSan Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 76 areas, master's degrees in 59 areas and doctorate's in 13. SDSU's more than 31,000 students participate in academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with professors and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, log onto www.sdsu.edu.
Founded in 1852, ASCE represents more than 123,000 civil engineers worldwide and is America's oldest national engineering society. ASCE will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2002.
Founded in 1909, Master Builders, Inc. is a leading innovator in the development, manufacturing and marketing of a comprehensive offering of concrete admixtures for producing specialty and high quality concrete used in ready mix, precast/prestress, masonry, paving and underground markets. The company also markets a complete line of polymer floor and wall systems through its Selby/Ucrete Industrial Flooring Division and is a leader in carbon fiber materials for repair applications. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, Master Builders, Inc. operates as part of the Degussa Construction Chemicals Americas business unit, an international network of companies that comprise the largest manufacturer of construction chemicals worldwide. The parent company, Degussa AG is headquartered in Dusseldorf Germany and is the world's largest specialty chemical company.
-###-
