Undergraduate Structural Analysis Competition 2011 (UGSAC2011)

Introduction

Structural analysis is the prediction of structural performance under prescribed loads and/or other external effects such as support movements and temperature changes. Recent devastating tragedies, such as the earthquakes in Japan, Haiti and Sichuan and the collapse of an old building here in Hong Kong, vividly remind us that it is extremely important for a civil engineer to have a solid structural analysis capability and understand the performance and behaviour of structures. 

Objectives

The objectives of this competition are to promote the interest and to enhance the understanding in basic structural concepts among the undergraduate students in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Scopes

Qualitative and quantitative behaviour of structures under static loads. 

Participants

All registered undergraduate students of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the HKUST can participate in the competition. 

Prizes

• 1st Prize: Certificate and HK$3,000. 
   
• 2nd Prize: Certificate and HK$1,500. 
   
• 3rd Prize: Certificate and HK$500. 
  
  Up to 5 merit Certificates. 

Judging Panel

The judging panel consists of at least three faculty members or qualified engineers. 

Important Dates

• Registration deadline: 12 noon, 26 April 2011 
   
• Competition: 9:30 am, 30 April 2011,  venue: LTE

Registration is close.


Enquiry

Please send email to Professor CC Chang at cechang@ust.hk


Regulation

1. The competition consists of two rounds: the qualification round and the advanced round. In both rounds of competition, the participants are required to complete a specified number of questions within a given time. Those who answer all questions correctly are allowed to enter the advanced round. In case that insufficient number of participants can answer all questions correctly, the judging panel has the right to choose an undisclosed number of participants into the advanced round. 
    
2. The participants are allowed to bring only pens and a non-programmable calculator. 
    
3. In case of ambiguity and argument, the judging panel has the right to interpret and make decision during the competition. All decisions made by the judging panel are final and should be accepted by all participants. 
    
4. The following example illustrates the sign conventions used in the competition. Note that the bending moment should be plotted at the tensile side of the members.