GLASGOW —
Some people would consider the phrase “concrete canoe” an oxymoron, because if a canoe is made of concrete then it surely must not float.
But they would be wrong. Concrete canoes, the really well-built ones, do float.
Western Kentucky University civil engineering students build two concrete canoes each year, one of which they race in regional and national competitions. The other they use for practice.
Matthew A. Dettman, PE, a professor at WKU, spoke about his students’ concrete canoe project Saturday during the grand opening of Discover Tech, an engineering exhibit, at the Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library.
The canoe Dettman’s students make is made of a light-weight concrete.
“We make our concrete light so [the canoe] is faster,” Dettman said.
The concrete is poured around a Styrofoam form. The hull of the boat is thin — about 3/8 of an inch thick. It takes about 24 hours for the students to pour the canoe.
About 30 teams from across the country make it to the national competition each year.
“WKU has finished in the top 10 in the nation seven times,” Dettman said.
In 2002, WKU’s concrete canoe placed third in the nation. The university has competed on the national level with its concrete canoe for 13 years running.
“We’re pretty proud of what our students have done,” Dettman said.
For the full story, see the print or e-edition of Monday's Glasgow Daily Times.
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Related Photos
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Dylan Martin, 8, is shown forming red, plastic blocks into an arch in an effort to build a bridge. The activity is part of Discover Tech, an engineering exhibit at the Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library. Martin and his twin brother, Dalton, were among several children who turned out for the exhibit's grand opening on Saturday.. Gina Kinslow / Glasgow Daily Times Gina Kinslow
Discussion
December 31, 2012
Discovering Technology: Results are concrete
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Making Magic
Magician Bruce Amato enlists the help of Travis White, a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County, Monday afternoon during a magic show at the Mary Wood Weldon Memorial Library.
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