The 1997 Northwest regional competition was held in Anchorage, Alaska on March 29. The top two teams from the regional competition, the University of Washington and the University of Alaska Anchorage, will advance to national competion this May in Pomona, California.

In 1997 an new and innovative approach was taken in the bridge design and construction.  A sudden failure during test loading caused extensive damage to the structure.  As part of the learning exercise the students prepared a forensic report to determine the cause of failure and to make recommendations for future design.  Students saw the accident as a first-hand opportunity to investigate the world of forensics engineering. Learning from mistakes is integral to the advancement of engineering technology. 

Business Contributors

• Alaska Marine Highway
• ASCG, Inc.
• Burdick Engineering
• Captain Bartlett Inn
• Chena Hot Springs Resort
• Clarke Engineering Company
• Design Alaska, Inc.
• Food Factory
• Fairbanks Chapter Alaska Society of Professional Engineers
• Griffard Steel, Inc.
• Harding-Lawson Associates Engineering & Environmental Services
• Loftus Engineering Associates, Inc.
• Raak & Associates
• Regency Hotel
• Stragier Engineering Services, Inc.
• Stutzmann Engineering Associates, Inc.
• Taiga Mushing
• University of Alaska Technology Development Corporation, Inc.
• Whole Earth Deli

George Aiken                                  Pete & Connie Bellezza                     Laura Brackett

Robert Brown                                  A.B. & Lois Bruck                              Donald & Carol Callahan

James Clinton                                 John & Betty Dickenson                 Allan & Janet Eckle

Morgan Edmunds                           James Elieff                                       Lothar & Rachel Fieg

Michael & Kathleen Hall               Richard Hand                                   Wayne & Carolyn Hanson

Charles & Jean Hartman                William Hauck                                  Philip Hoffman

John & Cheryl Johansen                Ted & Rebecca Johnson              Oliver Kola

David Lanning                                 Clements Lean                                A. P. R. Lovell

Donald & May MacDonald           Robert Marovelli                           Rosemary Matt

Bill Mendenhall                               Clark & Karen Milne                     George Minassian

Merritt & Elizabeth Mitchell          Harold & Beverly Moeser            James Moody

H.L. & Beatrice Morgan                Arthur Morris                                  John & Mary Nickles

Steven Pannone                              Donald & Sonya Powell                Eino & Rita Reinikka

Daniel and Kasandra Rice              Eugene & Betty Richey                Gary Scarbrough

Laurence & Margaret Soden         James & Joelle Swalling                Dean Syta

Barbie Tanner                                 Kenneth Therriault                          Joseph & Susanne Usibelli

Peter Vincent                                   Elizabeth Walatka                           Martin & Marilyn Walther

Robert & Judy Weimer                  William & Mary Lou Wilcox

Forward to 1998

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