Competitions & Conventions
Overview:
Joining the ACI/PCI Club at UCF opens the door to a variety of national-level competitions and conventions. These events are excellent opportunities for professional growth, networking, and hands-on experience in the field of civil engineering and construction.
Competitions:
Big Beam Competition
The Big Beam Competition challenges teams to design, construct, and test a concrete beam. Teams are judged on their beam’s performance, accuracy of predictions, and overall design. The benefit is that you gain practical experience in concrete design and construction, enhance teamwork skills, and receive feedback from industry professionals.
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites Competition
This competition focuses on the innovative use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in construction projects. Participants design and test FRP-reinforced structures. During this competition, you will learn about cutting-edge materials, apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, and network with experts in the field.
Concrete Bowling Ball Competition
Teams design and fabricate a concrete bowling ball, striving to achieve the perfect balance of weight, strength, and durability. This competition will challenge you to develop creative problem-solving skills, deepen your understanding of concrete properties, and engage in a fun and unique challenge.
Conventions:
ACI Concrete Convention
The ACI Concrete Convention is a bi-annual event that brings together professionals, students, and educators in the concrete industry. It features technical sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. You can discover the latest industry trends here, explore different career paths, and secure internships or job opportunities through networking.
PCI Convention
The PCI Convention offers sessions on precast concrete design, research, and construction practices. It is an ideal platform for learning and connecting with industry leaders. At this convention, you can gain insights into precast concrete innovations, attend career fairs, and interact with potential employers.
This on-campus event will be filled with seminars, live concrete demonstration stations, exhibitors from both ready-mixed and precast, prestressed concrete industry companies and partners. There will be opportunities to connect with peers, industry reps, and potential employers. There will also be raffle prizes, T-shirts and lunch will also be included.
Travel Accommodation
All travel and hotel expenses for these competitions and conventions are fully covered by the club and sponsors. Participants only need to provide for their own food during these events. This ensures that every member has the opportunity to participate and benefit from these enriching experiences without financial barriers.
How to Get Involved
Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming competitions and conventions. If you’re interested in participating, join our member Discord for more details.