Bentley Systems Inspires Future Engineers Through Digital Bridge Design Technology

• Proeksa Meas
• 10 August 2026
• Construction Focus
• 912 Views

As the U.S. transportation industry faces a shortage of civil engineers, Bentley Systems is helping introduce young students to engineering careers through its long-running sponsorship of the AASHTO Bridge Challenge.

The competition gives middle and high school students hands-on experience with real engineering workflows, from research and design to testing and presentation. Using Bentley’s MicroStation software and ModelSmart, students create 3D bridge models, analyze their designs digitally, and understand how structures perform before building physical models.

Bentley provides free engineering software to participating teams, allowing students to learn professional design skills used in real-world infrastructure projects. The software helps students transform 2D drawings into detailed 3D models, improve visualization, test ideas, and create more accurate designs.

The challenge shows students how modern civil engineers use digital technology to solve problems and develop safer, more efficient infrastructure. By supporting STEM education and providing access to industry tools, Bentley Systems aims to prepare the next generation of engineers and help address the growing workforce gap in transportation and infrastructure.

• Bentley
• MicroStation
• Bentley Systems
• AASHTO