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Prize Competition

The Prime Engineering Prize Competition is a biannual event that provides students in mechanical engineering an opportunity to showcase their skills by solving real-world engineering problems related to next-generation clean nuclear energy. The competition challenges students to use SolidWorks and Ansys or Abaqus finite element analysis to analyze the stress in a nuclear structure and submit their solutions. It is open to undergraduate and graduate students, providing a chance for budding engineers to gain recognition and potentially secure an internship or full-time position at Prime Engineering. The competition offers a grand prize of $1000, the Annual Problem Solver Trophy, and it also recognizes the importance of safety and the critical role of analysis in the nuclear industry.

 

A free student version of Ansys can be obtained below.

Download Ansys Student | Workbench-based Simulation Tools

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Problem:

You are tasked with designing and analyzing an overhead nuclear crane support structure. The crane, weighing 35 kips, travels along the span of the support structure and is used to transport nuclear fuel within the plant.

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The structure is to be designed using W18×119 beams made of ASTM A572 Grade 50 steel. It consists of eight members and has overall dimensions of 200 inches in width, 700 inches in length, and 350 inches in height. The crane operates in an environment with a temperature of 100°F.

The structure is fixed to a concrete foundation at the base of its four vertical members. The allowable bending stress for the material is 33 ksi, and the structure must not deflect more than 2 inches at any point under load.

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Use SolidWorks to model the structure, and Ansys or Abaqus to perform the finite element analysis. Use of a beam element model is recommended.

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You are assigned to determine the maximum load the crane can safely lift, based on the structure’s allowable bending stress and deflection.

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Deliverables (pdf format):

  • A mechanical drawing showing the design of the structure

  • A brief report (2 pages or less) including:

    • Assumptions made

    • FEA model information (mesh, materials, connections)

    • Loads and boundary conditions

    • Maximum crane load

    • Screenshot of bending moment and deflection plots

  • Comparison of FEA deflection to hand calculation (explain discrepancies)

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Email to info@prime-engineer.com with Prize in the subject line. Include your resume and statement of purpose to be considered for an internship or full-time position. 

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This competition is open to any one person that is currently enrolled in an ABET accredited program for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering that is 18 years of age or older, and residents of VT, NY, NH, ME, MA, CT, or RI, or attending UVM. Any one person meeting this criterion may enter the contest by following the instructions on this webpage under the heading Deliverables. Only one award will be provided, and the winner will be selected based on correctness of solution, timing of solution, and overall presentation of solution. The competition begins November 5th, 2025, and submissions will not be accepted after December 1st, 2025, at 11:59pm. No costs or expenses will be reimbursed by Prime Engineering.  The winner will be announced on December 6th, 2025. Participants agree to all terms and condition herein including award presentation on LinkedIn and other sites. The prize is not transferable. Participants are not guaranteed a position at Prime Engineering. Previous winners and runner ups are not eligible.

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