Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this team?
UBC Concrete Canoe builds and races a canoe made of concrete in competitions across Canada and the United States. The team is a great way to connect with other students while working on a large-scale project and get involved in the UBC community. Members gain hands-on experience mixing, testing, and designing concrete as well as digitally modelling and analyzing the canoe’s hull. Students apply what they have been learning in classes to solve real-world problems.
I thought concrete was heavy, how can it float?
Our canoes float due to the design of the concrete mix and the hull itself. The canoe’s shape is designed so that it displaces an amount of water that weighs more than the canoe does, which enables it to float. In order to reduce the weight of water that needs to be displaced, the canoe has relatively thin walls is reinforced with a lightweight mesh, and uses concrete with light aggregates.
Can non-engineers join?
Yes, the team is open to all UBC students! Essential non-engineering tasks include graphic design, technical writing, financing, paddling, and more. Non-engineers are also welcome to join any of our technical subteams if they are interested in designing the canoe.
What sort of time commitment can I expect?
We ask that all members attend our weekly meetings (approximately 2-3 hours) at the very least. But if you’re interested in doing more, you can participate in focus groups, get involved with a second subteam, or assist team leads.
How can I get involved?
Recruitment periods open during the summer. Every September, we host a booth during UBC Imagine Day where you can bring your questions to us, connect with the leads, and apply to be a part of the team! If you missed Imagine Day or a recruitment period but still have questions, you can contact us via email.
Can flour make concrete harder?
Perhaps? There is some evidence to suggest rice flour in the mortar of the Great Wall of China accounts for its longevity. Maybe you’ll be the one to start a “Sticky Rice Canoe” design team….