Concrete Canoe
Making the impossible possible, one canoe at a time.
Making the impossible possible
Every fall, CCC designs, builds, and tests a completely new canoe engineered from concrete mixtures to compete in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) national Concrete Canoe competition. Our team’s mission is to collaboratively develop the most innovative canoe possible.
Vision
Our team’s vision is to create an improved lightweight concrete canoe able to float in water, while also focusing on a sustainable and environmentally friendly design.
Team structure
Our team consists of four sub-teams, each with an integral purpose and role in our canoe design.
Aesthetics
The Aesthetics Subteam is responsible for bringing the visual identity of Concrete Canoe to life. Each year, we select a unique theme and design all related graphics and artwork, including the canoe’s exterior design, display board, competition shirts, and other relevant visuals. Our work ensures the team’s presentation is cohesive, creative, and impactful both on and off the water.
Mold & Analysis
The Mold & Analysis Subteam spearheads the innovative research and design of our boat’s hull and structure using advanced software tools like CAD and Ansys, along with compression and tensile testing. In addition, we oversee all construction initiatives, from implementing advanced fabrication techniques for the boat to building essential infrastructure needed to transport and showcase the boat.
Mix
The Mix Subteam researches and implements new materials to develop a unique, lightweight, and robust concrete mix with a heavy emphasis on sustainability and strength. We employ iterative design techniques to determine ideal material ratios for the structural, patch, and aesthetic concrete mixes.
Business & Logistics
The Business Subteam manages the financial and logistical backbone of the team. We oversee budgeting and inventory to ensure every subteam has the resources they need, coordinate travel and accommodations for competitions and events, and lead outreach efforts with sponsors, alumni, and the broader Cornell community. We also design and maintain the team’s website to showcase our work and connect with supporters. Our efforts keep the team organized, funded, and ready to compete at the highest level.
How can you help us achieve the impossible
Your support will help our sub-teams listed above operate to their greatest potential, and create the best and most innovative canoe to bring to completion in the coming spring. Any support given will greatly help our team cover the costs for future software, paddling practices, and materials needed. Members of Concrete Canoe have the opportunity to nurture their creative and technical expertise throughout their tenure on the team.
Each year, each boat presents its own unique sets of challenges as we constantly adapt to higher expectations and new technologies. 100% of the funds from this crowdfunding campaign will go towards improving our team's operations and building our boat for this year's Concrete Canoe Competition. Only with your help can we make our goals a reality.
As a registered student organization, we are committed to equal access to all of our programs and do not discriminate based on any protected identity status.
$10
Safety Supplier!
Thank you for donating $10! This will allow CCC to purchase vital personal protection equipment that is necessary to protect our team members while they work with concrete and its derivatives!
$25
Foundation Builder!
Thank you for donating $25! With this, CCC can purchase the laboratory equipment it needs to facilitate the testing, production, and creation of its best concrete mix and mold possible!
$50
Paddling Patron!
Thank you for your generous $50 donation! With this support, CCC can cover the necessary fees needed for paddling training programs on Cayuga Lake! By harnessing these programs, CCC can continue to train new generations of paddling team members and give them an invaluable edge during the paddling aspect of competition.
$100
Wave Maker!
Innovation requires fast-moving adjustments and rigorous testing. With your generous $100 donation, CCC can cover the costs needed to purchase the crucial ingredients required for creating the most lightweight and structurally integral concrete mixture possible!
$250
Mold Master!
Every canoe we create requires an astonishing amount of physical labor from our mold team. With your generous donation of $250, CCC can purchase specialized wood, high-density foam, and other materials to boost the quality of our mold, canoe-carrier, and casting table!
$500
Concrete Contributor!
Prototyping is an extremely integral part of creating a canoe. Therefore, it is immensely helpful to have a virtual model for our analysis team to test different hull designs and material properties. With your gracious and generous offer of $500, CCC can purchase licenses to premium modeling software to improve our design capabilities and make sure our canoe places as high as possible in competition!
$1,000
Hull Hero!
Our annual competition is hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and we work all year to create the strongest, lightest, fastest concrete canoe to best represent Cornell in the civil engineering space. Competition provides a space for team members to network with professionals and demonstrate their new engineering skills. Your incredibly generous donation of $1000 can cover the costs of sending multiple CCC members to competition at the regional level and potentially to the national ASCE symposium!