Bangladeshi Students’ Association
UofT Troitsky Bridge Building Team
The UofT Troitsky Bridge Building Club offers students a hands-on opportunity to explore structural engineering by designing and constructing bridges using only simple materials—popsicle sticks, glue, and floss. These constraints challenge students to think creatively and engineer unique solutions. Through workshops, tool training, and mentorship, we build real-world technical and teamwork skills. Each year, our delegates apply these skills as they proudly represent UofT at the international Troitsky Bridge Building Competition in Montreal.
Key accomplishments
Troitsky 2025 Competition Success - At the 2025 Troitsky Bridge Building Competition, UofT sent seven teams—more than any other institution—to compete among 33 teams from across Canada and the U.S. A total of 46 delegates, organized into teams of six undergraduate students and supported by four dedicated coaches, travelled to Montreal this February to represent the university. One of our teams earned 2nd place overall with a bridge that held 795 lbs, while UofT swept the podium in the predicted load category with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishes. We also received top honours in Structural Efficiency and Best Presentation, showcasing both the technical soundness and professional quality of our work. These outstanding results highlight the innovation, preparation, and teamwork our members strive to achieve.
Cross-Disciplinary Expansion - Our club made significant progress in fostering interdisciplinary participation by engaging students from Engineering Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Architecture. With non-civil engineering students now making up over one-quarter of our delegation—a 200% increase from previous years—we continue to broaden access to learning across disciplines.
Hands-On Learning and Skill Development - We provided access to advanced tools, materials, and workspace resources during the preparation phase. Several teams implemented custom jigs to support complex features in their bridge designs—particularly curved elements for arch bridges—enhancing precision, structural integrity, and efficiency under time constraints. Students developed critical skills in precision cutting, clamping, iterative design, and timed construction. These experiences reflect our club’s commitment to equipping members with the technical and professional competencies needed for future careers in engineering and design.
CPSIF funding impact
CPSIF funding was essential in enabling the UofT Troitsky Bridge Building Club to fully participate in the 2025 Troitsky Bridge Building Competition in Montreal. It supported registration, travel, and access to higher-quality tools and materials, allowing teams to construct more technically advanced bridges. Importantly, this funding also helped us maintain our position as the largest delegation at the competition, directly supporting our goal of offering this hands-on, interdisciplinary experience to as many students as possible. By reducing financial barriers, CPSIF ensures students can apply engineering principles in a real-world setting while developing critical technical, collaborative, and professional skills.
UofT Troitsky Team 2025.
UofT Troitsky team, The Arch Bonds, assembly period at Troitsky Competition.
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