Welcome Teams, Students, Faculty, Volunteers, Judges, and Sponsors to UC San Diego!

We are very excited to have you on our campus for the Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC) National Finals. The SSBC has been taking place since 1987 when Lawrence Tech, Michigan Tech, and Wayne State competed in a parking lot to determine who had the best bridge. This first competition sparked an interest in competing across the country, thus starting the regional competitions and national finals. The event has grown every year since, and more than 150 schools are expected to compete this year. It is our honor to continue the tradition and host the top 40-45 teams across North America at UC San Diego for the 2023 SSBC National Finals. 

Established in 1960, UC San Diego cultivates the cultural diversity and unique talents of students, faculty, and staff who have continued to produce cutting-edge research. UC San Diego has continuously been ranked as one of the top public universities and engineering schools in the nation. The 1,976 acres campus is home to the world's largest outdoor shake table amongst over 100 other state-of-the-art research facilities as well as the Stuart Art Collection, a compilation of 19 art pieces each conveying a unique story. "Vices and Virtues," shown below on the right, is one such piece. At night, the blinking neon runs along the top of the Charles Lee Powell Structural Systems Laboratory, alternating the seven vices and virtues. The laboratory also houses full-scale structural testing with one of the largest reaction wall/strong floor systems in the world.