How do you build a bridge on site in a time limit?
Some contests give you sticks and glue and hours to build on the day. How to prepare, split the work in a team, and avoid the common time traps.
Updated · 1 min read
Short answer: practice the exact build before the day, divide the jobs in the team, and know your plan so well you never stop to decide. Time is lost to deciding and redoing, not to gluing.
What on-site contests look like
Rules differ. Some contests supply the sticks and glue and give teams a few hours or a full day. Some let sticks be pre-cut or pre-notched in advance, others don't. Some limit team size. Read exactly what you may bring, and what is supplied.
Prepare
- Choose a simple design you can build in about half the time allowed, since things go wrong.
- Practice the full build, timed, with the same material, at least twice.
- Make a full-size plan and a cutting list, with each member's length and angle.
- Make jigs and stops if tools are allowed, so every angled cut matches.
- Plan the glue waits. Glue sets while you cut the next pieces.
Divide the team
- One cuts, one sands and checks fits, one glues and holds.
- Build both side trusses at the same time if you can.
- One person owns the clock and the checklist.
On the day
- Check the supplied material first. Sort and set aside the best sticks for the compression members.
- Dry-fit before you glue.
- Leave time for the glue to cure before any test or weigh-in.
- Leave ten minutes at the end to check the rules with a ruler.