"University of Nevada - Reno"
(1st place overall; 1st in paper; 3rd in presentation; 2nd in product)

Presentation:

The University of Nevada, Reno represented the Mid-Pacific Conference and made their third consecutive national appearance.

Reno relied on 3 people to make their presentation; 1 man and 2 women.  The presenters were dressed in business attire and the presentation was business oriented.  The team used 1 screen and included several video segments.

After a brief introduction, the team explained the rationale underlying their theme.

They began their delivery with project management and explained how team members were trained.  Then, it was on to hull design.

The team elaborated on the salient features of their canoe and explained how they measured turning time.  Then, team members provided details regarding the structural analysis including loading and boundary conditions.  After specifying their requirements, the team elaborated on how they selected a section to withstand the service loads.

After outlining the tests conducted to verify their analysis, it was on to construction.  The team detailed their construction techniques and included details on finishing their canoe.

Then, Reno brought their presentation to a strong conclusion.

Questions and Comments:

• Why did you vary the tension in your cables?
• How did you measure the tension in them?
• Why did you use pre-tensioning in the first place?
• Why did you use so many different admixtures?
• Did any of these constituents increase workability or finish-ability?
• How did you achieve such a smooth finish?
• How did you place your concrete over your reinforcement?
• How did you develop the skill level to obtain such a fine product?

This was one of the strongest deliveries of the day.  The fact that the presentation inadvertently replayed during the question and answer session (At least, I think it was inadvertent... If not, good thinking Reno)... helped the team to reinforce the strength of their delivery.  

Product:

The University of Nevada - Reno fielded "Argentum."
Length: 19.5'
Weight: 160 lb
Color: white concrete with blue and silver stain

The name of Reno's canoe is Latin for silver; Nevada is the Silver State.  Reno’s hull was reinforced using a coarse carbon fiber mesh.  They employed steel mesh in the bow and stern and integrated several pre-stressed steel tendons to strengthen their hull.  The tendons were anchored to screws that were removed during the construction process.  The team included 4 ribs, each reinforced with a 1/4" diameter steel threaded rod.  Matrix materials included metokalin.

From a project management standpoint, Reno distributed the load among their chapter members and made sure that there were at least two people working in each area.  They worked very hard to achieve one of the best, if not the best, finish on any of the boats in the competition... and remained within the time allotted for their presentation.  Great job guys!

 Vital Statistics