{"id":8,"date":"2021-07-27T16:47:47","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T16:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/demo\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2026-03-28T22:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T22:30:31","slug":"competitions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Competitions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;2026 ASCE Society Competitions Hosted at Pacific Southwest&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:50|text_align:center&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Adamina%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceInLeft&#8221;][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #fcb237;font-size: 21px\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica\">Mailer 3 is out. You can check it by clicking here: <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1qLjIW8UL_fNyL5AxJcr623Qd-sDrpa_j\/view?usp=sharing\">Mailer 3<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_btn title=&#8221;2026 ASCE Society-wide Student Competition Rules&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;pink&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;orange&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; button_block=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asce.org%2Fcommunities%2Fstudent-members%2Fconferences%2Frules|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;]<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica\">ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;font-family: helvetica\">Since the early 1970s, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapters have competed to be the best at designing, constructing, and racing concrete canoes. During that time, canoe mixtures and designs have varied, but the long-established tradition of teamwork, camaraderie, and spirited competition has been constant. Each year, teams, their associates, judges, and other participants build upon this tradition. This year, teams answered a call for Technical Proposals and Enhanced Focus Area Reports and are competing to be the winning bid on a prototype standardized canoe design for future concrete canoe competitions.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.asce.org\/concrete-canoe\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4544&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica\">AISC\/ASCE Student Steel Bridge Competition<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/communities\/student-members\/conferences\/\">ASCE<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aisc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">American Institute of Steel Construction<\/a>\u00a0(AISC) are partnering to offer the Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC) at ASCE Student Symposia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The Student Steel Bridge Competition challenges\u00a0students to extend their classroom knowledge to a practical and hands-on steel-design project that grows their interpersonal and professional skills, encourages innovation, and fosters impactful relationships between students and industry professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Each student team develops a concept for a scale-model steel bridge to span approximately 20 feet and to carry 2,500 pounds according to the competition rules.\u00a0The team must determine how to fabricate their bridge and then plan for an efficient assembly under timed construction conditions at the competition. Bridges are also load-tested, weighed, and judged on aesthetics.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Student Steel Bridge Team Intent Form &#8211; MUST be filled out by all teams &amp; faculty advisor(s)&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;black&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;purple&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fasceforms.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fp6w5bjr06k4i69%2F|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4514&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica\">ASCE UESI Surveying Competition<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The ASCE UESI Surveying Competition\u2019s educational and professional goals include a recognition of the importance of basic surveying principles to all civil engineering projects. Students will be required to use standard field and office equipment and procedures to solve common problems encountered in industry. A clear understanding of and ability to apply basic surveying principles will assist the graduate civil engineer in communicating and working with the surveying professionals on the job site and during the design process.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/communities\/student-members\/conferences\/asce-uesi-surveying-competition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Surveying Competition Team Intent Form &#8211; MUST be filled out by all teams &amp; faculty advisor(s)&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;black&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;peacoc&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; button_block=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fasceforms.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fp1lx0hx702m3i9n%2F|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4512&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica\">Timber-Strong Design Build Competition (pilot)<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">ASCE has partnered with the American Wood Council (AWC), APA \u2013 Engineered Wood Association (APA), and Simpson Strong-Tie (SST) to pilot the Timber-Strong Design Build\u2120 (TSDB\u2120) Competition. The competition seeks student teams to design and build an artistically creative, two-story wood, light-framed building that is sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and structurally durable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.laddersafetytraining.org\/\">Ladder Safety Training<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">This competition will continue to be offered as a pilot competition in 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Learn more about the competition partners:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.awc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">American Wood Council (AWC)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apawood.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">APA \u2013 The Engineered Wood Association (APA)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.strongtie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Simpson Strong-Tie<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Timber-Strong Design Build Competition Intent Form &#8211; MUST be filled out by all teams &amp; faculty advisor(s)&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;sandy-brown&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;black&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; button_block=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fasceforms.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fpzoeco1002b8ok%2F|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;4513&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica\">ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition challenges students to develop a stronger understanding of sustainability and learn to incorporate sustainable solutions into everyday problems that engineers incur. Students are encouraged to be creative in their solutions and use all resources available.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/communities\/student-members\/conferences\/asce-sustainable-solutions-competition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">2026 Topic<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The CE Computing Corporation (CECC) is requesting proposals for professional civil engineering services and sustainability consulting services to construct a new data center within the City of ASCE. The CECC board of directors has approved enhanced sustainability goals for the proposed data center, including using the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure\u2019s Envision as the primary sustainability framework.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Sustainable Solutions Team Intent Form &#8211; MUST be filled out by all teams &amp; faculty advisor(s)&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;black&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;green&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; button_block=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fasceforms.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fpq9r7f70p0kpzl%2F|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53667680245_18d497dd62_c.jpg\" \/><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">Symposium Paper<\/h4>\n<p>The ASCE Student Symposium Paper Competition emphasizes the importance of being able to write and present a paper as essential communication skills for all engineers and often necessary for advancement in your career.<\/p>\n<p>Good faith participation in the ASCE Student Symposium Paper Competition, including submission and presentation by at least one (1) member of the ASCE Student Chapter, is a requirement to advance to an ASCE Society-wide Competition Finals.\u00a0 Competitions requiring this include Concrete Canoe, Student Steel Bridge, UESI Surveying, and Sustainable Solutions.<\/p>\n<p>No other Society-wide competition report or paper may serve as a submission for the ASCE Student Symposium Paper Competition. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/career-growth\/awards-and-honors\/daniel-w-mead-prize-for-students\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Student Symposium Paper Competition topic: <\/strong><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>Engineering the Public Welfare: How Civil Engineers Engage and Advance Communities Through Ethical Infrastructure Design in accordance with the ASCE Code of Ethics<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Civil engineering is not only about the design and construction of vertical and horizontal infrastructure. It is an essential part of shaping communities and building a better quality of life for all persons. In this essay, critically analyze the ethical responsibility of civil engineers to recognize the historical, cultural, and social needs of a community and to incorporate those considerations into their work. Discuss how civil engineers can engage with communities to develop solutions that protect historical and cultural resources, improve access and mobility, and expand economic and social opportunities. Use real-world examples and reflect on how emerging technologies and policies can support these objectives.<\/p>\n<p><em>Authors are encouraged to develop and apply their own original thoughts. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing models (NLP), such as OpenAI\u2019s ChatGPT\u00a9, is neither encouraged nor discouraged. However, if such models are used, all instances shall be cited as work completed by the respective generative AI\/NLP. Failure to cite all instances of generative AI\/NLP use will be considered plagiarism<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Submission Due Date:<\/strong> March 1st<\/p>\n<p><strong>Submission email:<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:csula.asce@gmail.com\">csula.asce@gmail.com<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;5003&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">ASCE Construction Institute Student Symposium Competition<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Each year, the ASCE Construction Institute (CI) Student Symposium Competition challenges students to step into the role of professional construction engineers and managers, simulating the dynamic environment of a real-world construction firm. In this competition, students are presented with a practical and technically demanding engineering scenario\u2014often modeled after challenges faced by industry professionals\u2014and are tasked with preparing a complete and professional response to a client\u2019s or owner\u2019s request for proposal (RFP).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Participants must work collaboratively under time constraints to develop innovative, accurate, and well-structured solutions that demonstrate their understanding of construction engineering, project management, cost estimating, scheduling, and sustainability principles. The competition not only tests technical knowledge but also emphasizes communication, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure\u2014skills essential to success in the construction industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Beyond the competition itself, the CI Student Symposium serves as an invaluable platform for students to connect with industry professionals, gain exposure to real-world project delivery methods, and experience the full project lifecycle from planning to presentation. By integrating both civil and construction engineering disciplines, the event fosters a deeper appreciation of how technical design and construction management intersect in practice. Ultimately, it strengthens student engagement with the construction industry and highlights the Construction Institute\u2019s ongoing commitment to advancing education, innovation, and leadership among the next generation of engineers and builders. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/communities\/student-members\/conferences\/asce-construction-institute-student-symposium-competition\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;Construction Institute Team Intent Form &#8211; MUST be filled out by all teams &amp; faculty advisor(s)&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;black&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;orange&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; button_block=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fasceforms.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fp1mepbq10mqbwu7%2F|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5005 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/11\/450x595-asce-3d-printing-competition-logo-njit-e1762672830451.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"315\" height=\"417\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">ASCE 3D Printing Competition<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><br \/>\nThe ASCE 3D Printing Competition encourages the creative and practical application of additive manufacturing technologies within the field of civil and structural engineering. This innovative competition challenges students to explore how 3D printing can transform traditional design and construction processes by promoting precision, efficiency, and sustainability in modern engineering practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><br \/>\nFor 2026, the theme \u201cBridging the Future\u201d places a special focus on the design and fabrication of bridges. Competing teams will be tasked with developing a 3D-printed bridge that is not only structurally efficient and durable but also demonstrates aesthetic appeal, constructability, and creativity. The bridge must satisfy specific geometric and dimensional requirements while being assembled in the shortest possible time. Through this challenge, students must balance form and function\u2014creating a bridge that showcases both engineering excellence and design innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><br \/>\nBeyond technical performance, the competition highlights the evolving role of 3D printing in civil infrastructure, encouraging students to think critically about material selection, print orientation, and assembly techniques. It provides a platform for participants to engage in hands-on design, testing, and optimization while developing essential teamwork and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, the ASCE 3D Printing Competition inspires future engineers to embrace emerging technologies that will shape the future of construction and structural design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the built environment. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.asce.org\/communities\/student-members\/conferences\/asce-3d-printing-competition\"><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Learn more about the competition<\/span><\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=&#8221;3D Printing Intent Form &#8211; MUST be filled out by all teams &amp; faculty advisor(s)&#8221; style=&#8221;gradient&#8221; gradient_color_1=&#8221;black&#8221; gradient_color_2=&#8221;juicy-pink&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceIn&#8221; button_block=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fasceforms.wufoo.com%2Fforms%2Fp1qgenta080dfur%2F|target:_blank&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Regional Competitions&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:40|text_align:center&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Adamina%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceInLeft&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;5036&#8243; img_size=&#8221;medium&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">ASCE Geo-Institute Geowall Competition<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The GeoWall Competition is a design, analysis, and build test challenge that simulates the behavior of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall at model scale. Students are asked to behave like practicing geotechnical engineers, balancing soil mechanics, structural stability, and material efficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Rather than relying on the strength of concrete or steel members, the GeoWall Competition emphasizes soil-reinforcement interaction, a fundamental aspect of geotechnical engineering. Teams must understand how tensile reinforcement interacts with surrounding soil to form a stable composite mass, where resistance to earth pressures is provided by friction, confinement, and shear transfer rather than by material strength alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The success of a GeoWall design depends on proper reinforcement spacing, embedment length, and placement within the soil mass to effectively control deformation and prevent pullout or internal failure. This approach mirrors real-world behavior of mechanically stabilized earth walls and challenges students to apply geotechnical theory, engineering judgment, and material efficiency to achieve safe, optimized designs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/2026-PSWS-Official-GeoWall-Competition-Rules.pdf\">Learn more about this competition<\/a><\/span>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5037 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Environmental_Logo-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Environmental_Logo-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Environmental_Logo-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Environmental_Logo-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Environmental_Logo.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">PSWS Environmental Competition<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The PSWS 2026 Environmental Design Competition challenges student teams to design, construct, and operate a small-scale constructed wetland system capable of improving the quality of reverse osmosis (RO) reject water using sustainable, nature-based treatment processes. Teams apply principles of environmental engineering, hydraulics, chemistry, and biological treatment to demonstrate measurable improvements in water quality parameters such as turbidity, solids, organic content, pH, and dissolved oxygen.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Participants will design and build a compact wetland system within defined size constraints, operate their system on competition day, and analyze influent and effluent water samples to evaluate treatment performance. Judging emphasizes technical reasoning, innovation, system functionality, data analysis, communication, and safety, rather than achieving extreme treatment results. Teams must also submit a concise design report and present their results to judges using a visual poster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">This competition reflects real-world engineering challenges related to water reuse, desalination byproduct management, and sustainability, providing students with hands-on experience in environmental process design, experimental evaluation, and professional engineering communication. All participants are required to follow strict safety and ethical guidelines throughout design, construction, and testing.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/2026-PSWS-Official-Environmental-Design-Rules.pdf\">Learn more about this competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/02\/PSWS-Environmental-RFIs-Answer-Sheet-1.pdf\">PSWS Environmental RFI&#8217;s Answer Sheet #1<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/02\/PSWS-Environmental-RFIs-Answer-Sheet-2.pdf\">PSWS Environmental RFI&#8217;s Answer Sheet #2<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/PSWS-Environmental-RFIs-Answer-Sheet-3.pdf\">PSWS Environmental RFI&#8217;s Answer Sheet #3<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/03\/PSWS-Environmental-RFIs-Answer-Sheet-4.pdf\">PSWS Environmental RFI&#8217;s Answer Sheet #4<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;5040&#8243; img_size=&#8221;medium&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;zoomIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">PSWS Prestressed Mini-Beam Competition<\/h4>\n<p>The PSWS 2026 Prestressed Mini-Beam Competition challenges student teams to design and construct a precast, prestressed concrete beam using innovative methods that simulate real-world structural engineering practices. In this hands-on competition, teams use tensioned bass guitar strings as prestressing tendons to introduce compressive forces into a concrete beam cast onsite at the symposium.<\/p>\n<p>Teams are responsible for designing the beam cross-section within strict dimensional and material limits, casting the beam on Day One, and completing all design calculations prior to testing. On the following day, beams are evaluated under simply supported, center-point loading until failure to determine the ultimate load capacity. Scoring is based on both structural performance and engineering accuracy, emphasizing how closely a team\u2019s predicted capacity matches the measured test results.<\/p>\n<p>The competition highlights key concepts in prestressed concrete behavior, structural analysis, construction sequencing, and quality control, while reinforcing teamwork, safety, and clear engineering communication. By combining theory with physical testing, the Prestressed Mini-Beam Competition provides students with a realistic and engaging introduction to prestressed concrete design.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/2026-PSWS-Official-Prestressed-Mini-Beam-Design-Rules.pdf\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5042 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Transpo_Logo-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Transpo_Logo-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Transpo_Logo-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Transpo_Logo-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Transpo_Logo.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center\">PSWS Transportation Competition<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">The PSWS 2026 Transportation Competition challenges student teams to develop a conceptual transportation planning and design solution that transforms a defunded freeway corridor into an active transportation network focused on bicycle, pedestrian, and transit connectivity. Acting as a consulting transportation engineering firm, teams integrate planning, geometric design, accessibility, and policy considerations to propose feasible improvements that serve both local communities and regional transit systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Using the former State Route 710 South Stub in the Los Angeles, Alhambra, and Monterey Park area as the project site, teams evaluate existing constraints and stakeholder needs to recommend pedestrian and bicycle connections to surrounding neighborhoods, arterial streets, and major transit hubs, including Cal State LA. Designs must comply with applicable Caltrans Highway Design Manual standards, ADA accessibility requirements, and public right-of-way constraints while emphasizing practicality, safety, and community benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">Teams submit a comprehensive design report and deliver a formal presentation outlining their project understanding, design approach, challenges, and high-level benefit\u2013cost analysis. Judging emphasizes problem-solving, technical reasoning, communication, feasibility, and quality of recommendations, rather than final design-level calculations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: helvetica;font-size: 14px\">This competition reflects real-world transportation engineering practice by addressing multimodal mobility, equity, and sustainable urban infrastructure planning through a realistic, policy-driven case study.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/2026-PSWS-Official-Transportation-Design-Rules.pdf\">Learn more about the competition<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/02\/PSWS-2026-Transportation-Addendum.pdf\">PSWS 2026 Transportation Addendum<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;2026 ASCE Society Competitions Hosted at Pacific Southwest&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:50|text_align:center&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Adamina%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;bounceInLeft&#8221;][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_column_text] Mailer 3 is out. You can check it by clicking here: Mailer 3 [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator border_width=&#8221;4&#8243;][vc_btn title=&#8221;2026 ASCE [&#8230;]","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Competitions - Pacific Southwest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore the 2026 ASCE Pacific Southwest Student Symposium competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Sustainable Solutions. Join student engineers at Cal State LA for a showcase of innovation, ethics, and technical excellence.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Competitions - Pacific Southwest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore the 2026 ASCE Pacific Southwest Student Symposium competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Sustainable Solutions. Join student engineers at Cal State LA for a showcase of innovation, ethics, and technical excellence.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pacific Southwest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-28T22:30:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/\",\"name\":\"Competitions - Pacific Southwest\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/live.staticflickr.com\\\/65535\\\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-07-27T16:47:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-28T22:30:31+00:00\",\"description\":\"Explore the 2026 ASCE Pacific Southwest Student Symposium competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Sustainable Solutions. Join student engineers at Cal State LA for a showcase of innovation, ethics, and technical excellence.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/live.staticflickr.com\\\/65535\\\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/live.staticflickr.com\\\/65535\\\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/competitions\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Competitions\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/\",\"name\":\"Pacific Southwest\",\"description\":\"Hosted by California State University, Los Angeles\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/studentsymposium.asce.org\\\/pacificsouthwest\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Competitions - Pacific Southwest","description":"Explore the 2026 ASCE Pacific Southwest Student Symposium competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Sustainable Solutions. Join student engineers at Cal State LA for a showcase of innovation, ethics, and technical excellence.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Competitions - Pacific Southwest","og_description":"Explore the 2026 ASCE Pacific Southwest Student Symposium competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Sustainable Solutions. Join student engineers at Cal State LA for a showcase of innovation, ethics, and technical excellence.","og_url":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/","og_site_name":"Pacific Southwest","article_modified_time":"2026-03-28T22:30:31+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/","url":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/","name":"Competitions - Pacific Southwest","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg","datePublished":"2021-07-27T16:47:47+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-28T22:30:31+00:00","description":"Explore the 2026 ASCE Pacific Southwest Student Symposium competitions, including Concrete Canoe, Steel Bridge, and Sustainable Solutions. Join student engineers at Cal State LA for a showcase of innovation, ethics, and technical excellence.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/53648175314_56aaf94939_c.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/competitions\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Competitions"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/#website","url":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/","name":"Pacific Southwest","description":"Hosted by California State University, Los Angeles","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":274,"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5151,"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8\/revisions\/5151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/studentsymposium.asce.org\/pacificsouthwest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}