Team "Špikis" from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) won the ticket for RECCS 2016

Lithuanian championship „Makaronų tiltai 2016” is a traditional event for spaghetti bridge building held by Faculty of Civil Engineering at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU). This year, for the fifth time, participant teams consisting of university and high school students, as well, as professional engineers proved that 1 kg of pasta, a bit of glue, engineering knowledge and a pinch of creativity could ensure the unforgettable show.

Within these five years, the championship has evolved and changed a lot. The first championship took place in a small laboratory with only four teams competing for the champion’s title. The strongest bridge in 2011 carried just a 23 kg load. This year, on the 27th of April, Lithuanian championship „Makaronų tiltai 2016” has attracted 10 teams - 5 VGTU, 1 Erasmus, 1 engineers (VGTU alumni) and 3 high school pupils’ teams. The championship grows and brings more and more enthusiasts of creative engineering together every year.

In 2016, the first place, tonnes of prizes and the cup of winners went to the team of professional engineers and VGTU alumni „Be 100 (k)g nelūšim”. Their bridge has carried a 215.8 kg load. The team is a well-known participant, so called „Veterans”, as they are the only ones who have engaged in all five championships. The second place and the ticket to the world championship in „Spaghetti Bridge Building: RECCS 2016” won the team „Špikis” of VGTU students. Their bridge carried a 205 kg load. „Špikis” is a national record holder and the winner of „Makaronų tiltai 2015” with a bridge carrying a 251 kg load. The third place went also to the students of VGTU – the team „Pamatai - pastatai” consisting of two architectural engineering female students, who successfully combined their knowledge and thoroughness in building a spaghetti bridge capable of carrying a 177.6 kg load.

At the moment „Špikis” is responsibly preparing for the world championship in Hungary. The team is a bit disappointed that the last year’s record was not improved, though they learned the mistakes. They have already made several experiments in the laboratory, trying to optimize the best design of the bridge and to choose the strongest materials for the construction. They are putting a lot of effort to build a winners’ bridge and are eager to improve their personal record.

Participation in the world championship in „Spaghetti Bridge Building: RECCS 2016” will show if „Špikis” is ready to succeed. All Lithuanian enthusiasts of creative engineering believe that they will surprise the world with breaking results and wish them the best of luck.

More information about Lithuanian championship „Makaronų tiltai 2016”: https://www.facebook.com/makaronu.tiltai/

Author:
Vytautas Tamulėnas, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University