2022 Egg Protection Device (EPD) Competition

Open to Universities and Universities of Technology

 

VENUE: UJ Civil Engineering Club

Cast Date: the 27th of September 2022

Test Date: the 4th of October 2022

 

Objective:

Design and build the highest impact-load resistant, concrete Egg Protection Device (EPD) with materials supplied within the dimension and mass restrictions.

RULES

 

Eligibility

Anyone may enter this competition. To stand in line for the prizes, the winners (Full teams, all members) must be present at the crush-in, registered with a completed entry form, and an EPD cast on the casting date.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

 

Materials

The EPDs must be constructed using ONLY the material kits supplied. These will consist of:

  • Cement
  • Admixtures
  • Aggregate

Each material kit will have a unique reference number; this must be marked on the entry form and the device.

 

Construction

On the 26th of September 2022, instructions will be posted on the CCSA website requiring competitors to cast a coin on the side of their EPDs. The coins will be donated afterward to a good cause. Construction will occur at the teams’ various institutions on the 27th of September 2022 using the organizer’s supplied material kits. All EPDs must ONLY cure the same way as standard concrete cubes, i.e., no accelerated curing is allowed. On the test date, the 4th of October 2022, teams should report to the testing venue with their completed entry form and EPDs for the crushing. No modifications are allowed to the device after casting. All concrete used in the EPD must be seven days old on the day of crushing.

 

Specimen and Testing Configuration (See diagram below)

EPD must fit into the slot in a base plate 450 mm (+/- 5 mm) long by 150 mm maximum – 50 mm minimum width. The one end of the slot will be adjustable within the above limits to provide lateral support to the EPD footings.

 

EPD must provide a 50mm flat bottom inside surface, with a minimum of 100 mm clearance from the bottom of the base to the inside surface of EPD at the centre line to provide clearance for where the egg is placed, with a 2mm clearance from the flat bottom inside surface of the EPD. The outside surface may not be higher at any point than 250 mm above the bottom of the base.

 

EPD footings are only allowed at the ends of the plate slot. No spacers or aides will be allowed. The maximum length of the footings is 50 mm. Between the footings, the EPD must remain clear of the base plate of the loading frame during testing.

 

There must be at least a 50 mm wide flat area on top of the EPD at the center line where the load will impact. Maximum mass = 5.5 kg. EPDs exceeding 5.5 kg will be disqualified. The EPD must be stable and must not fall over during impact loadings; this is deemed as a failure. No adjustments between blows will be permitted.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Any dimensions that are not met, WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!

 

Testing

Testing will be carried out as per instruction by the judge(s). The EPD strengths will be assessed according to the number of impacts/blows the EPD survives before the egg is broken/ cracked.

Judging

The organizing committee will appoint the judge(s). The judge(s) will determine whether or not the rules have been followed. The judge(s) will determine the point of failure of the EPD. The decision of the judge(s) will be final, and appeals will not be considered.

 

Awards

Presentation of prizes for first, second, and third places will occur immediately after all EPDs have been tested.

 

General Information

Each EPD entered shall have a coin cast into the surface. EPD’s not complying with ALL requirements will be disqualified. No epoxies or similar may be used to affix the coin to the cubes. The committee’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The CCSA reserves the right to publish details of the winning EPDs. Their names will be posted on CCSA social media platforms and their website.

 

Notes:

  • Eggs will be maintained in a constant position relative to the base and not adjusted.
  • The load is applied by a 1kg mass falling from a height of 1m.
  • The mass piece has a 40mm diameter which it makes contact with the EPD.
  • The structures will be judged as follows:

 

The number of blows the structure takes will be multiplied by the weight of the structure factor, given in the Figure below.

 

If there are any queries, you can forward your emails to any of the following committee members:

Jaco Du Plessis [email protected]

Tina Coetzee [email protected]

Michelle Fick [email protected]