The new structural steel Wellsburg Bridge connecting Brooke County, W.V.’s Route 2 and Brilliant, Ohio’s Route 7 over the Ohio River was lifted into place last month after being  transported to the site via barge--and the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) live-streamed the entire trip.

A free one-hour webinar will explore sustainable steel options for replacing America’s aging bridge infrastructure, which President Biden has identified as a top national priority. 

The webinar, “Building a Sustainable Infrastructure with Short Span Steel Bridges,” will be presented by three industry experts and held on Tuesday, May 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST. It will be hosted by the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA), American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), and American Galvanizers Association (AGA).

Ingenuity is on full display at American universities across the country, as student engineers from 32 schools have qualified to move on to the National Finals in a Student Steel Bridge Competition that’s been like no other.

This year, the American Institute of Steel Construction’s signature university competition offered two ways for schools to participate safely: either through a remote program in which teams designed, fabricated, constructed, and tested their bridges from campus, or in a design-only supplemental competition.

The T.R. Higgins Lecture on the final day of NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference showcased more than 12 years of research into SpeedCore, a groundbreaking system consisting of composite plate shear walls and coupling beams, and its advantages in commercial, industrial, and nuclear construction. 

Presenting the lecture, “SpeedCore and Steel-Concrete Composite Construction--The Best of Both Worlds,” was Amit H. Varma, Karl H. Kettelhut Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Bowen Laboratory of Large-Scale CE Research at Purdue University's Lyles School of Civil Engineering.

Congratulations! Your company got the project--so what happens next? Mark Holland, PE, of AISC member fabricator Paxton and Vierling Steel Co. walked participants through all the basic concepts necessary to plan and schedule the steel fabrication and erection process from project award to final billing in “Fundamentals of Projects Scheduling for Steel Fabrication.”

How would you approach designing, engineering, and erecting a stadium roof canopy that weighs approximately 30,000 tons and covers more than 1.2 million sq. ft? The team behind the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., did it--and in under a year! 

Those same engineers and erectors from Hassett Engineering, Degenkolb Engineers, and Schuff Steel presented the design complexities and innovative engineering solutions that brought this landmark structure to life at NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference.

Dave Eckmann, SE, PE, FAIA, of Magnusson Klemencic Associates presented the ins and outs of AISC’s Designing with Structural Steel: A Guide for Architects this morning. In his session, Eckmann discussed tips and resources from the latest edition of the guide, including preliminary sizing of beams and columns, isolating sound, specifying architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS), detailing enclosure systems, and much more.

A new fundraising drive by the American Institute of Steel Construction's Education Foundation is designed to provide new opportunities for both students and faculty.

"'Funding the Future' is a new program to help future designers gain more experience with structural steel," explained Christina Harber, SE, PE, AISC's Director of Education.

In his keynote presentation this morning, James M. Fisher, PE, PhD, of CSD Structural Engineers shared his advice for creating successful designs stemming from more than 50 years in the industry. Rather than discuss calculations and analysis methods, Fisher focused on how to use good judgment and consider the needs of structural team members, including engineers, steel detailers, steel fabricators, erectors, and material suppliers, in the design process.

Ten innovative projects throughout the U.S. have won 2021 IDEAS² Awards, the steel industry’s top design honor.

This year’s projects range from a massive arena to a jaw-dropping school that appears to defy gravity to a sculpture that draws inspiration from West African “talking drums” to honor the founders of the National Bar Association.

“These projects showcase the versatility of structural steel,” said AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD, “and they all demonstrate a remarkable amount of innovation and creativity. Congratulations to the team behind each project for a job very well done!”

In support of OSHA’s 8th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event from May 3-7, 2021, the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is making it easy for employers to participate in this event with an array of new fall prevention resources specifically related to steel erection. 

SEAA’s Safety Stand-Down resources page includes a free downloadable infographic titled Get the Most from Your Fall Prevention Safety Stand-Down: 7 Tips from a Steel Erector; articles from SEAA, OSHA, and NIOSH; and other publicly available training materials. 

Hunter Ruthrauff of T.Y. Lin International in San Diego won the 2021 Forge Prize with a 3D-printed steel pedestrian bridge concept! Ruthrauff will give an encore of his award-winning design’s presentation at NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference on April 12.

The 2020 Forge Prize winners, Rosannah Harding and Matthew Ostrow of HardingOstrow, will join him to present their award-winning weathering steel footbridge concept.

The American Institute of Steel Construction is pleased to recognize more than 135 steel fabricators and erectors for their outstanding safety records in 2020.

“2020 really underscored the importance of safety. These awards are a powerful reminder of what truly makes our industry great: the people,” said Patrick Schueck, president and CEO of Lexicon, Inc., and chair of AISC’s Safety Committee. “AISC is proud to honor the companies that go the extra mile to keep their employees safe every day.”

"Article after article focuses on the older, dirtier European and Chinese steel industries while ignoring the American structural market that annually produces more than 4 million tons of the world’s cleanest, most environmentally friendly steel for buildings and bridges. The US steel industry has the lowest carbon intensity of the top seven leading steel-producing countries in the world--and that’s largely because we use a different technology that allows American beam producers to recycle old steel into new steel over and over again," said AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD.

A new interactive timeline from AISC places key events from the history of AISC and structural steel in context with other historical benchmarks of the 1920s.

“As a proud Chicagoan, I particularly enjoyed learning that the Wrigley Building and the Wells Street Bridge are almost as old as AISC,” said AISC Vice President of Operational Engagement Carly Hurd.

The timeline is part of a yearlong celebration of AISC’s centennial and joins a retrospective of historic articles, other interactive timelines, and more.

The AISC Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications (AISC 358-22) is available for public review. The AISC 358-22 draft will be available as a free download at aisc.org/publicreview between March 15 and April 19, 2021.

Kathleen Dobson, safety director for Alberici Constructors (whose fabrication division, Hillsdale Fabricators, is an AISC member) and a member of the AISC Safety Committee, has been appointed to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). She has joined the 12-member committee as a safety representative for a two-year term. 

The Welding Equipment Manufacturers Committee (WEMCO), in partnership with the American Welding Society Foundation, is now accepting nominations for its 2021 Excellence in Welding Awards. 

The annual Excellence in Welding Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and educators who have shown exemplary dedication to promoting welding and the skilled trades industries in their communities.

The AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 341) is available for its second public review through April 2, 2021. The draft will be available as a free download at aisc.org/publicreview between March 5 and April 2, 2021.

The Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Association is encouraging industry professionals to submit speaking proposals for the 2021 SUMMIT to be held in Cleveland, October 4-6, 2021.

Speakers are encouraged to submit proposals related to topics like professional and personal development, technical innovations, manufacturing business trends, strategic leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, and other concepts and trends that are changing the manufacturing field.

The current drafts of the 2021 AISC Specification for Structural Stainless Steel Buildings (AISC 370-21) and 2021 AISC Code of Standard Practice for Structural Stainless Steel Buildings (AISC 313-21) are available for public review from February 26, 2021, until April 12, 2021.

Which tops out faster, a steel core or a concrete core? A race between two buildings on a similar construction timeline in New York City showed a clear winner: the steel core. 66 Hudson Boulevard, also known as The Spiral, reached its 66-story 1,041-ft pinnacle on January 26, three weeks before its concrete-core neighbor, 50 Hudson Yards, topped out.

Level 10 Construction released a new video showing the mock-up installation of 200 Park Ave. in downtown San Jose, Calif. 

This 19-story office building, which will stand as the tallest building in San Jose, is the first in California to use SpeedCore, a system designed to cut down on construction time by erecting a sandwiched panel of steel plates that are subsequently filled with concrete.

The University of Wyoming and the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) are teaming up to offer a free six-part live-lecture series, Steel Bridge Education Lectures: From Concept to Delivery, that covers designing, fabricating, and constructing steel bridges.

AISC has reached a historic milestone--2021 marks our 100th anniversary! To celebrate a century of steel, we're shining a spotlight on the legacy of our industry.

"While this is a great achievement, we're not content to simply look back at our achievements and the legacy we've created. Rather, we want to look ahead to the great legacy the steel industry and design community can continue to create for ourselves, our children, and future generations," stated Charlie Carter, AISC's president.

Hypertherm is seeking applications from secondary schools and colleges for its Spark Something Great educational grant program. And the winning schools will receive the newest generation of plasma cutting equipment and training.

The Spark Something Great program is designed to support the education of the next generation of welders and metal fabricators. Hypertherm plans to award 12 North American schools with Powermax45 XP plasma systems and in-person training in 2021.

James “Jim” O. Malley, SE, group director and senior principal of Degenkolb Engineers in San Francisco, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for his leadership in improving seismic design. His election follows more than 35 years of experience in structural engineering and design and contributing to more than 50 publications to date.

Do you want to expand your knowledge of welding from home? The American Welding Society (AWS) has launched the new video series AWS ARCademy, a crash course in welding geared toward new welders.

Showcase your use of steel joists by entering your projects for the 2021 Steel Joist Institute (SJI) Design Awards. 

Structures built within the past three years are eligible to win in four major categories: industrial application, non-industrial application, unique application, and, new to 2021, floor systems with standard or CJ-Series composite joists.

Leslie E. Robertson, whose career came to be defined by his work on the World Trade Center, died Thursday in San Mateo, Calif. following a diagnosis of blood cancer.

“We've lost a giant whose work will continue to speak volumes for generations to come,” Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD, AISC's president said.

AISC has selected three finalists for The Forge Prize, which celebrates emerging architects who create visionary designs that embrace steel as the primary structural component while exploring ways to increase project speed. The finalists will each work with a steel fabricator before presenting their final concepts to the judges during a live YouTube event in late March. 

It's a new year, and AISC Certification is changing with the times!

The program, which sets the quality level for structural steel fabricators and erectors, has made substantial improvements to its governing documents, starting with a name that better represents its current use: the Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207-20).

Learn about the latest in the structural steel industry without leaving your living room! Registration is now open for NASCC: The Virtual Steel Conference 2021, which will take place online from April 12-16. Register now at aisc.org/nascc. 

Congratulations to the 12 leaders recognized with 2021 AISC awards! Our awards honor individuals who have made a significant difference in the success of the fabricated structural steel industry, whether it's for an innovative design, an insightful technical paper, or a lifetime of outstanding service.

The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 360) is available for its second public review through March 5, 2021. 

Steel is more than a dynamic physical material. Turns out it can also hold its own in the virtual realm! AISC is pleased to announce that NASCC: The Steel Conference is being held as a virtual event in 2021.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Innovation Initiative (AII) selected the steel press-brake-formed tub girder (PBTG) bridge system as a 2021 Focus Technology. AII will invest time and resources to accelerate the adoption of PBTG among AASHTO member associations, local agencies, and industry partners to improve U.S. infrastructure.

On November 11, a fire resulting from a semi-truck crash damaged the upper and lower decks of the Brent Spence Bridge between Covington, Ky., and Cincinnati. The 1960s era steel truss carries interstate traffic over the Ohio River. Sixteen steel stringers were procured, fabricated, and installed 18 days later allowing for a safe and speedy bridge repair.

AISC selected Matt Yarnold, PE, PhD, for the 2020 Milek Fellowship. His research project explores the behavior of hot rolled asymmetric steel I-beams.

Bo Dowswell, PE, PhD, 2020 T.R. Higgins lecturer, sat down with us (virtually) to discuss success, the fear of failure, and the long and winding path to his career. He also gives a 60-second version of his lecture, "Gusset Plates: The Evolution of Simplified Design Models" in the video.

Last week, AISC experts appeared on the Science Channel's Deadly Engineering show, commenting on the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake. 

The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation recently announced the opening of the I-74 Mississippi River Bridge to Iowa-bound traffic. Motorists drove down the newly-opened route during their morning commutes on November 13. 

RealClearPolitics, a widely read publication in D.C. and New York, recently published an op-ed by former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh. Bayh's piece, "Biden's Plan to Build Back Better With American Steel," focuses on how the Biden administration will prioritize rebuilding America and creating new jobs.

Last week, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, David L. Bernhardt, designated Wrigley Field in Chicago as a National Historic Landmark. In 2015, more than 880 tons of steel, fabricated by AISC certified member Lenex Steel, were installed in the outfield to expand the bleachers and build new video boards.   

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a guide to keeping workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new AISC Code of Standard Practice for Structural Stainless Steel Buildings (AISC 313) is available for public review until December 11, 2020.

AISC has awarded its 2021 T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award to Amit H. Varma, Karl H. Kettelhut Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Bowen Laboratory of Large-Scale CE Research at Purdue University's Lyles School of Civil Engineering.

Varma will present "SpeedCore and Steel-Concrete Composite Construction: The Best of Both Worlds" as a keynote speaker during NASCC: The Steel Conference, which is scheduled to take place April 14-16, 2021, in Louisville. 

It's Throwback Thursday and we're throwing it back to the second session of Night School 18:  Steel Construction: The Manufacturing of Steel Shapes. During this session, Jim Schoen and Shane Vernon, PE, both of Nucor-Yamato Steel, provide a basic overview of the modern steelmaking process involved in the production of W, MC, C, M, L, S, and piling shapes. 

The Steel Tube Institute (STI) is hosting a webinar on concrete-filled HSS members on November 11. Learn about the advantages of this type of member, which include fire resistance, construction efficiency, and buckling resistance.