What is Steel Bridge?
The Student Steel Bridge Competition is an annual event hosted by the American Institute of Steel (AISC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). During this competition, college student teams are challenged to design, fabricate, and build a scale-model steel bridge, which typically spans 20 feet long, must carry at least 2,500 pounds, and meet a stringent list of specifications. This doesn’t include bonus points for aesthetics!
Before the event, students must design, gather supplies, and fabricate the parts for their bridge, putting what they have learned in the classroom to the test. They must also practice soft skills such as marketing, finding sponsors, and teamwork. This takes place over the course of many months, stretching from early planning stages in summer to the competition the following late spring.
The Student Steel Bridge Competition is held at varying colleges and each year features different challenges, such as time limits, safety requirements, and unexpected obstacles. For example, in 2026 some students had to act as “barges” over the “Rio Grande,” forcing them to build a bridge without permanent or temporary piers.
The Team
The Captains:
Adilene Miranda: I am a Civil Engineering student at California Sate University, Chico. I am pursuing a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering with a focus in structural engineering. I have always been passionate about using my skills to serve my community, and Civil Engineering has become the perfect path to achieve that. This year, I am excited to be more involved with the Steal Bridge team and look forward to the hands-on experiences that will help prepare me for a career dedicated to serving my community.
Eric Booth: After 10 years of service and 2 deployments, I separated from the Air Force to pursue a degree in Civil and Engineering at California State University, Chico. I’ve always been passionate about infrastructure, and returning to college has given me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of how we design and build the systems that connect our communities. As Steel Bridge Captain, I’m excited to apply the leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills I developed during my military service while working alongside my teammates to design and fabricate a steel bridge.
Crystal Huddleson: I am a Civil Engineering student at California State University, Chico, pursuing a minor in Geology and serving as a captain of the ASCE Steel Bridge Team. After spending more than a decade in the workforce, I returned to college to pursue my passion for engineering while demonstrating to my two daughters that it is never too late to chase ambitious goals. Through the Steel Bridge Competition, I am gaining hands-on experience in engineering design, project management, fabrication, and teamwork while preparing for a career dedicated to improving communities through infrastructure.
The Crew:
- Teammate 1: Fabrication
- Teammate 2: Social Media and Fabrication
- Teammate 3: Treasurer and Design
- Teammate 4: Fabrication and Building
Chico State Steel Bridge 