University Programs

2024 Student SteelDays Contest

SteelDays student contest 2024

Update: And the winners are ...

Thank you to all who participated in the 2024 Student SteelDays Contest!

We would like to recognize and congratulate the following winners:

  • Sarah Berger (Case Western University)
  • Steven Leung (Case Western University)
  • Abigail Mondragon (Case Western University)
  • Alexander Pogharian (Case Western University)
  • Natalie Deal (Hope College)


A New Convention Center Rises in Steelville

Business owners in Steelville, Ill., are excited about the new convention center that will bring new customers to the area--but the architect needs your help!

The convention center will have large open spaces for exhibit areas on the first and second floors. The second-floor framing is designed to carry a uniform floor load from above as well as hanging loads from below. To keep the spaces open and column-free, the floor framing system uses very large trusses spanning 90 ft. As the design team’s structural engineer, you must review the preliminary design for the truss to prepare the design package for the client.

You have until the end of SteelDays (Friday, October 18) to run your calculations.

Your Mission

Check the design of the floor truss by determining loads, analyzing the truss, and checking truss members and connections.

You’ll only need three things: an AISC student membership, a computer, and a calculator. We’ll supply the rest, including drawings and videos in case you need a refresher on loading and truss analysis.

Prizes

You’ll receive points for correct responses. Participants will be ranked by the total number of points received, with the top scorers receiving a prize! If there is a tie, we’ll do a random drawing to select the winners.

The five winners will receive their choice of one of the following prizes:

  • 16th Edition AISC Steel Construction Manual
  • 16th Edition AISC Steel Construction Manual, Digital Edition (5-year subscription)
  • $100 Amazon gift card

We’ll announce the winners on Friday, October 25, 2024.

How to Participate

First, you'll need to be a student member to participate. Find your AISC student member information to log into www.aisc.org (hint: Did you buy an AISC Steel Construction Manual through your professor? You may already be a member!) If you aren’t already a member, join now! It’s easy--you just need to complete the application and provide a copy of your student ID as well as a copy of your current class schedule. If you have any questions about your membership, contact membership@aisc.org.

Entries are due by the end of SteelDays, Friday, October 18, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. Central.

This contest is now closed. We are tallying the results and will notify the winners soon!

About SteelDays

Every year, steel mills, fabrication plants, and all sorts of other facilities open their doors during SteelDays to show the world how proud they are to be part of this industry. It’s a great opportunity for students, architecture, engineering and construction professionals, and others to gain a deeper understanding of what goes into building the nation’s future.

Visit aisc.org/steeldays for more information. (And ask your professor about organizing a field trip to a local fab shop--AISC is offering grants!)

Questions?

We’re available at universityprograms@aisc.org.