A new “Structural Challenge” at the LEMSC: crossing a 6.5 m ravine without access to the opposite bank!
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On Tuesday, May 5, the “Structural Challenge” took place at the LEMSC platform, featuring the assembly and load testing of the structures designed and built by the construction engineering students of the Ecole Polytechnique de Louvain.
🎯 Objective: to cross a 6.5 m ravine without access to the opposite bank, using a maximum of 85 kg of materials (wood and steel).
Proposed by Professor Pierre Latteur, the “Structural Challenge” highlights an essential aspect of the construction engineer’s profession: structural design. Students are required to imagine, build, and test a structure that meets demanding specifications while taking into account real-world constraints related to construction sites, materials, and execution.
This educational challenge makes extensive use of the scientific skills and expertise of the members of the iMMC. A key role is played by the technicians of the LEMSC technological platform, whose state-of-the-art equipment enables students to:
- characterize materials;
- carry out structural tests under near real-life conditions;
- compare their numerical models with the actual behavior of the structure.