Five teams from the University of Missouri-Rolla recently swept the regional American Concrete Institute’s concrete cylinder design contest, placing first, second, third, fourth and fifth overall.

The contest challenges students to design a cheap and lightweight concrete cylinder that has a predetermined target strength, density and bonding efficiency.

Ten UMR students will travel to Denver to compete in three of ACI’s national design contests on Nov. 5. UMR students will compete in the concrete cylinder, aesthetic cylinder and concrete bowling ball competition.

“The bowling ball is judged on diameter, uniform density (does it roll straight) and load at five given deflections,” says Justin Carr, president of UMR’s ACI chapter and a senior double majoring in civil engineering and architectural engineering. “It must also weight less than water. The aesthetic cylinder is simply which specimen looks the prettiest.”

Founded in 1904, the ACI is a technical and educational society dedicated to improving the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of concrete structures.

Members of UMR’s concrete teams include:

• David Bash of Humble, Texas, a senior in civil engineering
• Justin Carr of Nixa, Mo., a senior double majoring in civil engineering and architectural engineering
• Eric S. Chamberlain of Rolla, Mo., a senior in civil engineering
• Gary W. Davis of Rolla, Mo., a senior in civil engineering
• Jonathan Drury of Festus, Mo., a sophomore in architectural engineering
• Emilie Els of Hermann, Mo., a junior in civil engineering
• Matt Flint of Rolla, Mo., a senior in civil engineering
• Corey Nees of Richmond, Mo., a senior in civil engineering
• Rachel L. Saint Juliana of Hannibal, Mo., a junior double majoring in architectural engineering and civil engineering
• Dave Weidinger of Vienna, Mo., a senior in civil engineering.