Engineering Students Put Structural Knowledge to the Test at Think Wood, SBCA’s Wood Roof Assembly Competition
At the 2025 NCSEA Structural Engineering Summit, Think Wood sponsored the first iteration of a Wood Roof Assembly Competition, which invited 75 engineering students to test their skills and knowledge in a timed structural building challenge. The competition was led by the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA), an international trade association representing manufacturers of structural building components such as wood trusses.
Working in teams of three, students collaborated to build light-frame roof systems in just 80 minutes. Roof assembly was chosen because components are a common application for light-frame trusses, offering a nod to SBCA’s membership. Every team received a materials kit from SBCA containing 12-inch wood dowels, aluminum tape, and cardstock. Once complete, each system had to span 28 inches and support a 16-ounce load when placed atop two free-standing wall supports.
Inspired by other structural engineering competitions, primarily bridge-building challenges, SBCA didn’t tell students what they would be building—or how—until competition day. “We replicated challenges these young professionals will face in their careers,” said Sean Shields, Director of Marketing at SBCA. “Each team had a unique approach to the task, working together in different ways, from delegation to design to materials used, and beyond those soft skills, they gained hands-on experience in load transfer, bracing, wood trusses, and material efficiency.”
Six practicing professional engineers, as well as Shields, a building industry veteran, monitored and judged the competition, offering tips and feedback to teams throughout the building process. The winning team walked away with a $1,500 scholarship provided by the SBCA Foundation to cover educational expenses, such as tuition, books, and other learning materials. Schools represented included Auburn University, California State University, Northridge, Colorado State University, Columbia University, Oregon State University, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Experiences like the Wood Roof Assembly Competition allow students to design, build, and test scaled structural systems—making load paths, force distribution, and load transfer between members visible and intuitive. By translating theory into tangible form, these engaging learning moments reinforce core technical concepts, ensuring a deeper understanding and application of material.
