Trine civil engineers second in international competition

MELBOURNE, Fla. — A team of Trine University civil engineers placed second in an international competition to design a sustainable shelter for dogs following a natural disaster or emergency.

The “ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition: Dog House Challenge” was hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) on the campus of the Florida Institute of Technology from June 6-8.

The Trine team qualified by placing first at the ASCE Great Lakes Regional Competition held at Valparaiso University in April. Team members included Catherine Webb, a senior from Okemos, Michigan; Aaron (Jackson) Huckeby, a freshman from Freeland, Michigan; David Gaff, a senior from Bristol, Indiana; and Scott Beckmann, a junior from Auburn, Indiana.

Teams were judged on a technical paper, presentation and interview, and construction of a full‐size version of the shelter. Criteria included ease of assembly, commitment to sustainability, economy and aesthetics.

The Trine University team had the highest construction score but finished second in overall judging to Hohai University in China. The team received a $1,000 prize.

“Overall, it was a great showing for Trine,” said TJ Murphy, instructor in the Reiners Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Trine’s ASCE chapter advisor. “A lot of judges were very complimentary and encouraging of our students.”

Photo: From left, the Trine University team of Catherine Webb, Aaron (Jackson) Huckeby, David Gaff and Scott Beckmann stands with their entry in the ASCE Sustainable Solutions Competition: Dog House Challenge competition at the regional event held earlier this year.