Sources: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago; CP staff
A North Carolina State University student team, guided by faculty advisor Gregory Lucier and member producer Tindall Corp., took the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute 2024 Engineering Design Competition. Now in its 24th and better known as Big Beam, the event challenges college or university students to fabricate and test 20-ft. structural members. Teams are judged on their beam’s load-resisting performance in tests that simulate real-world building or infrastructure conditions; quality of analyses and reports; and, project overview videos.
Mohammad Qambar.
“Big Beam provided a platform for us to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in school and its practical application in the precast industry,” says N.C. State’s Sam Valmassoi. “I was particularly excited about our use of ultra-high-performance concrete in our design and the unique challenges and opportunities that arose.”
“The Big Beam competition is the foundation of our mission to support and promote student education initiatives,” adds PCI CEO Bob Risser. “The future of the precast, prestressed concrete industry is in good hands, judging by the entries. Congratulations to the North Carolina State University team and all of the students who participated.”
Rounding out 2024 Big Beam Competition leaders in second and third place were teams from Lehigh University, with faculty advisor Clay Naito and PCI producer Northeast Prestressed Products; and, University of Alabama Team 1, with faculty advisor Sriram Aaleti and PCI producer Gate Precast. Aspire Magazine and Pennsylvania-based ALP Supply sponsored this year’s event.
Tindall Corp. fabricated the specimen to the N.C. State team’s ultra-high performance concrete specifications. Destructive testing proved the robust nature of the material and engineering scheme.
