For instance, the winning bridge two years ago weighed only 4.75 pounds but supported a weight of 490 pounds, meaning it supported 103.2 pounds of architect per pound of bridge. The best of the best in years past supported 160 pounds of architect per pound of bridge. Many of the sophomores will face their fate in high style as it's something of a custom to dress in costume for the test of strength. The project began among freshmen years ago just for fun. The bridge break falls around Mardi Gras, and I think that's where the custom of costumes began.
Tensions tend to mount in the days before the test.
For instance, students using glue for fastening must work fast to assemble all the pieces before the glue sets. It's like surgery, and seconds count. UC's architecture program was ranked third in the U.S. in the 2000 Almanac of Architecture and Design , based on surveys of professionals in the field.