9.4 Connection Safety Examples

This supplemental document includes several annotated photo examples of both prohibited and allowed connections to help you better understand the Connection Safety Rules in Sub-Section 9.4 of the 2023 SSBC Rules. Please note that the examples and connections shown do not represent all possible allowed or prohibited connections for the 2023 SSBC. 

Download * New! * (Added on January 20, 2023)

Competitors Guide

The SSBC Competitors Guide is filled with information, general guidelines, and helpful tips for SSBC teams. This resource is a supplement to all other SSBC resources and is to be used as a companion to the Rules. It can be especially helpful to first-time competitors or those brand new to the competition. 

Download (Updated January 10, 2023)

Safety Awareness Guide for Fabrication

While the particular circumstances are specific to each team, this document contains general guidelines to consider when planning for the safety of your team. 

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Working Remotely as a Team Guide

Many SSBC tasks such as team recruitment, project planning, fundraising, and bridge design can all be done remotely. To help with this, we’ve put together a guide for students to ease the transition to virtual teamwork. Even if students are already familiar with virtual classes, we hope the tools in this guide will help them develop strategic teamwork skills that will serve them well for the rest of their professional lives.

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Team Recruitment Video 

Is your team trying to recruit new teammates? Get potential members excited by sharing this SSBC recruitment video!

Video: "SSBC: Bridging the Gap and Getting Started"

Are you new to the Student Steel Bridge Competition? Has it been a few years since your school has been able to participate? Are you wondering how best to get started for this year's competition? In this webinar recording, we go over the basics of the SSBC and chat with three experienced SSBC alumni who share their advice for building a successful team. 

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AISC Student Clubs

Collegiate students can now form official clubs directly affiliated with AISC, gaining access to a wide array of resources, benefits, as well as educational and networking opportunities. Please proceed to the AISC Student Clubs page for more details!

Eligible teams will receive limited funding for the competition in the form of a stipend. AISC provides $750 stipends to eligible U.S.-based teams that compete at regional competitions in North America and $1,500 stipends to U.S.-based schools participating in the national finals. ASCE provides stipends to eligible teams that are located outside of the U.S.

To receive the participation stipend, teams must complete the ASCE Student Chapter SSBC Participation Form in the fall preceding the competition. Look for the link in the first mailer from your host school or on your symposium's website. After we receive your information from that form, we'll also add your team to the Participating Teams Map.

AISC has been able to increase the funding provided to each team for the 2023 competition thanks to the generous support of the SSBC Program Sponsors, particularly our Steel-level sponsors:

We are hosting live webinars throughout the year for you to learn more about the competition, and they should be helpful for both new and seasoned competitors. All recordings will be posted at aisc.org/ssbcwebinars.

Team Mentors through NCSEA

Are you looking for a professional mentor for your team? The National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) is a supporting affiliate of the Student Steel Bridge Competition. Through their network of local Structural Engineers Associations and members throughout the country, NCSEA may be able to find a practicing structural engineer to mentor your team. Visit aisc.org/ssbc-ncsea to learn more!

Opportunity with IMPACT

We've partnered with the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), and iron worker training centers across the country are opening their doors to support SSBC teams. This may be particularly beneficial for teams who may not have access to the necessary resources or facilities on their own campus for fabrication.  Learn more at aisc.org/ssbc-impact.

Fabricator Partnerships

AISC has a strong fabricator membership who are always looking to support students. If your SSBC team would like assistance with securing partnerships with local fabricators, please complete the fabricator partnership request form (below). Once your request is submitted, AISC will provide you with a list of contact information for AISC Member Fabricators in your area, as well as a letter template to assist in your solicitation request.

Fabricators could potentially support you in the following ways:

• Donate materials for the bridge
• Assist in fabrication services for the schools that do not have their own shop facilities (Students are encouraged to maximize their involvement in fabrication!)
• Based upon the Rules, provide guidance on constructability and cost
• Make a monetary contribution to the school that can be used to offset expenses, such as materials, other equipment, shop training, and travel to the regional and national competitions
  
  

Fabricator Partnership Request Form

We share general SSBC updates by email and also send notifications each time a new Rules Clarification is posted. Sign up for the mailing list so that you don't miss a thing!

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