Photo: Mattia Tormen, Giulio Bizzozero and Lorenzo Agostinone (from left to right)

It is not the first time that SUPSI students have taken part in the national competition to challenge themselves.

Manuel Lüscher, head of the Bachelor of Science SUPSI in Civil Engineering, described the achievement of the three final-year students with visible emotion: “Every year we offer our students this wonderful opportunity promoted by the Swiss Association of Road and Transport Professionals (VSS). We are extremely proud of what has been achieved, and the second place in the ‘Structural efficiency’ and ‘Highest load capacity’ categories rewards the excellent work of Lorenzo, Giulio and Mattia. Suffice it to say that the bridge they built withstood more than 11 kN (KiloNewtons), a load corresponding to over 1,100 kg – essentially a small to medium-sized car”.

The event brought together 28 teams from professional schools across Switzerland and provided an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge acquired during classes and academic projects. Students were asked to design and build bridges by assembling thin wooden strips according to the principles of statics and, more broadly, civil engineering and construction techniques.

“For our part, we always strive to support these extracurricular initiatives, which help develop technical skills and foster valuable social experiences,” Manuel Lüscher continues. “Our invitation to future students is to approach the profession with curiosity and passion, starting even from small things, such as a simple wooden stick”.