The final of the 4th National College Students "Mao Yi-sheng Public Welfare Bridge - Small Bridge Project" Innovation Design Competition was held online in late July. This year's competition is co-organized by Beijing Mao Yi-sheng Science and Technology Education Foundation, Tsinghua University, and Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

This year's design competition, themed "Small bridge, love bridge - True knowledge comes from practice," was organized to solve the technical problems of engineering projects. It aims to build a platform for civil engineering students to turn knowledge into practice and showcase their vitality and genuineness. In addition, the competition is designed to facilitate poverty reduction through transportation and build China's strength in transportation. The competition entries involved 20 bridges in poverty-stricken areas, and nearly 400 participating college students surveyed the sites in 43 villages of 24 districts/counties from 9 provinces and cities.

Online defense

After online defense and evaluation, 61 entries from 28 universities across China were shortlisted in this competition. Two FACTE teams made it to the final. After selecting the bridge site in the "Small Bridge" projects’ directory designated by the organizing committee, the two teams conducted on-site surveys, determined the bridge site, and designed the bridge using new technologies, materials, and techniques. Their environmentally conscious designs take into account the harmony between the bridge and its surrounding environment, which aligns with the purpose of the competition and highlights the theme of "Small bridge, love bridge - True knowledge comes from practice."  

After sessions including on-site defense and expert evaluation, eight entries won the first prize, eight the second prize, twelve the third prize, and 24 the excellence prize. The "Zhusheng Bridge" (or “the bamboo pith”) designed by Li Jing, Wang Ruipeng, Kong Deshan, Zhang Lechen, Wang Rui, and Zhang Hengyi, under the tutorship of Liu Yue and Zhang Fan, won the second prize. The “Luohe Yifang Bridge” (or “the side of the Yellow River and Luo River”) designed by Sun Kedi, Ren Letian, Shan Yan, Liu Yitong, and Li Yujia under the tutorship of Liu Yue and Li Ning was awarded the third prize.  

Design of the Zhusheng Bridge (Top) and the Heluo Yifang Bridge (Bottom)

Committed to the purpose of "Small bridge, love bridge - True knowledge comes from practice," the FACTE students will continue to improve their practical and professional skills, mobilize society to help alleviate poverty, and implement Dr. Mao Yisheng's engineering education philosophy of "practice before learning, learning in practice."