Rice University Engineers Without Borders

Project Location:

Communities of Panama and Aragon, Jinotepe, Nicaragua

Project Highlights:

March 2006: Installed a gutter system to route water to a 2500 L storage tank to provide extra water for drinking and sanitation.
January 2007: Installed a solar panel to provide lighting to local church.
Spring 2008: Team plans to construct model bridge at Rice before building it in El Panama.

Project Summary:

The Nicaragua 1 project began with a exploratory trip in 2004, where the team decided to work with the El Panama community near Jinotepe in Carazo, Nicaragua. The major need identified by the community was a bridge that would link El Panama to the main road leading to the city.

During the rainy season it is difficult for community members to cross the gorge, which prevents students from attending school and causes difficulties during medical emergencies.

In 2005, the team traveled to the site to perform survey tests allowing them to create computer models of the terrain. The information gathered was analyzed and put together to create a preliminary bridge design report.

As the team continues to work on the bridge project, two other projects have been implemented. In the 2006 a water catchment system was put in at the local school, providing extra water for daily drinking and sanitation for the children. Then in 2007 a solar lighting system was installed at the local church to provide at least three hours of extra lighting per day.

The team has settled on a steel truss framework, spanning 20 meters across the ravine, as the most suitable bridge design for this community. The steel members will be fabricated in a modular fashion to ease transportation and construction, with panels pre-welded at a local shop. The panels will then be bolted together at the bridge site. The abutments for the bridge will be constructed several months before, allowing the concrete to fully cure.

In order to facilitate construction in Nicaragua and attempt to reduce possible obstacles, the team plans to construct a smaller model bridge in the civil engineering laboratory at Rice. The team will limit their use of advanced construction techniques to simulate conditions in country. The civil engineering department will collaborate with the team and use the model bridge for testing and practical experience for students at Rice.

Project Leaders: Russ Ehlinger and Daniel Jouas