Our Tech Program

Mix Design 

The Mix Design subteam is responsible for developing the concrete used to construct the canoe. They focus on creating lightweight, sustainable, and durable designs that meet or exceed the structural demands identified by the Structural Analysis subteam. In collaboration with Visual Design, the team also experiments with colored pigments to reflect each year’s themed aesthetics. Members get hands-on experience exploring innovative materials, performing various sample tests, and creating concrete mixes you won’t find anywhere else! This subteam is perfect for those eager to push the boundaries of concrete mix design.

Construction 

The primary responsibility of the Construction subteam is to build the mold onto which the canoe is cast on Pour Day. This involves using AutoCAD to generate machinable designs, operating power tools to construct structural supports, and paying close attention to detail, as surfaces are meticulously sanded and refined. Beyond mold construction, the Construction subteam also develops quality control processes, monitors the canoe's curing conditions, and creates visual aids for the project display. This subteam is ideal for those seeking a hands-on, practical application of their engineering skills.

Hull Design 

The Hull Design subteam focuses on developing and analyzing a variety of potential canoe hulls, optimizing for straight-line speed, rotational resistance, and stability to create a high-performance, race-ready design. Team members use advanced software tools such as Godzilla, Delftship, AutoCAD, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), and MATLAB to model and test designs. Since enhancing one characteristic often compromises another, designing the perfect hull can be a challenging and rewarding puzzle. If you're interested in the engineering behind fast, agile, and stable canoes, Hull is the place for you!

Visual Design 

The Visual Design subteam develops the theme of the canoe each year. From a Tom Petty tribute to the struggles between native and invasive species in local ecosystems, each of these themes are meticulously developed by this subteam to celebrate Floridian heritage. They are dedicated to creating creative and aesthetically pleasing elements and designs across the entirety of the Concrete Canoe project, from the stain on the canoe itself to the graphics throughout the technical proposal and presentation. Visual Design plays an important role in ensuring our project looks the best it possibly can, and gives the entire team an identity outside of simply designing a concrete canoe.

Structural Analysis 

The Structural Analysis subteam is responsible for calculating the shear and bending moment diagrams and maximum punching shear from the weight of the paddlers. These values are then used by the Mix Design subteam to determine target values when testing concrete samples. Structural Analysis then optimizes the placement of ribs in the canoe to ensure its structural integrity and performs calculations to ensure that the canoe is neutrally buoyant. This subteam is perfect for anyone looking for ways to apply principles that they have learned in the classroom to real-world design scenarios!

Administration 

The financial and social sustainability of UFCC is reliant on the Administration subteam. Each year, this subteam rallies sponsorships and develops budgets to ensure UFCC remains financially afloat. They also manage UFCC's recruitment efforts and social media presence, ensuring the addition of new members each year. This subteam is the perfect place to get out of your comfort zone as you communicate with engineering firms, material sponsors, and potential new members to secure the continued success of UFCC.