In cooperation with the American Galvanizers Association (AGA), the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) will host a free webinar on Tuesday, May 13 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EDT, titled “Economical Design Tools and Cost Analysis of Short Span Steel Bridges.” The webinar is being held in conjunction with Infrastructure Week 2014, a national outreach event May 12-16 to build awareness and educate policymakers and citizens about current infrastructure challenges in the U.S.
The webinar will provide an overview of the mission and goals of the SSSBA, a review of newly developed short span steel bridge standard designs, the use of the new free, web-based design tool eSPAN140 and an economic analysis of the use of steel vs. concrete for short span bridge design. Registration information can be found on AGA’s website, www.galvanizeit.org.
Robert J. Wills, P.E., vice president of construction market for SMDI, commented on ways the North American steel industry is providing cost-effective, accelerated design solutions to meet critical infrastructure demands. He said, “The vast majority of our nation’s structurally deficient bridges are locally owned. The free design tool eSPAN140 was developed through a collaborative effort of steel producers, fabricators, service centers, coaters, researchers, and representatives of related associations and government organizations to provide steel solutions for county and state engineers and other bridge professionals who have a significant number of short span bridges to repair or replace, but lack the funding to get the job done.”
Infrastructure Week will explore emerging solutions, innovative approaches and best practices being developed nationwide to modernize aging infrastructure. It is organized by the U.S. Council on Competitiveness, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO, the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, Building America’s Future and the National Association of Manufacturers. For more information, visit www.infrastructureweek2014.com.