Uncommon University Initiatives in Arch Bridges Education

The purpose of this paper is to present realization of two university initiatives: “Zwierzyniecki Bridge Copy – Paste” and “Students’ Steel Bridge Competition”. Events were co-organised by members of a student scientific group “Young Bridge Builders” at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology in Poland. The first initiative has been held as a part of the program “Bridges” organised by “Wroclaw – European Capital of Culture 2016”. Project concerned design, construction and transport of a model of the Zwierzyniecki Bridge (steel arch bridge – one of the oldest and the most charming bridges in Wroclaw) built in scale 1:4. Whole process of realization starting from concept, through calculations, choice of materials, construction and transport to the final destination will be described. The second event “Students’ Steel Bridge Competition” is being organised for seven yearsat Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. The main topic of the 5th edition were “Arch Bridges”. The main competition principle is to be as much as possible similar to bridges investment process – from design, through construction, to proof-load tests. Five person students’ teams should calculate in advanced FEM programs, then built and test projects of 2.5 m long arch bridge models. In conclusion of this paper scientific benefits of organisation and participation in the university initiatives will be presented, as well as advantages of alternative methods used in young’s engineer education.