An infographic created by Norwich University’s Master of Civil Engineering Program illustrates a brief history of how advances in civil engineering have reduced damage caused by earthquakes over the past century. At the same time, steel has been increasingly used in seismic design because of its structural properties that are effective in minimizing damage. 

In Philadelphia this week? Visit AISC in booth 1252 at the AIA Convention (May 19-21 at the city’s Pennsylvania Convention Center) and receive credit through AIA's Expo Chat program for learning about the complimentary services provided for architects by AISC's Steel Solutions Center. 

Ronald D. Ziemian, Ph.D., professor at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa., is featured in the latest episode of AISC’s Steel Profiles podcast series. Listen to his fascinating conversation with AISC’s Margaret Matthew, senior engineer and host of the Steel Profiles series, as he gives an inside look into his life and career. 

Bentley Systems, Inc., is accepting submissions for this year’s Be Inspired Awards. The awards, which are selected by independent juries of industry experts, recognize innovative practices in infrastructure project design, engineering, construction and operations. The deadline for entries is May 30. 

This year marks a quarter-century of the ASCE/AISC National Student Steel Bridge Competition (NSSBC), which has evolved from a small academic competition in Michigan to a national showcase of skill and ingenuity that preps students for real-world bridge design. 

Eddie Williams, CEO and chairman of Buckner Companies, Graham, N.C., (an AISC Member/Certified erector) was named Person of the Year by The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) at its 44th annual convention and tradeshow in Charlotte-Concord, N.C. 

More than 1,500 skilled tradeswomen from 40 U.S. states, Canada, Nigeria and the Philippines attended the Women Build Nations Conference last week in Chicago.

AISC and NSBA have released Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Fabricated Hot-Rolled Steel Sections and Fabricated Steel Plate. These EPDs satisfy the reporting requirements of Version 4 of the LEED® rating system, as well as other green codes and rating systems, and are available for free at www.aisc.org/epd.  

Across the country, organizations representing American business, labor and policy will join together May 16-23 for the fourth annual Infrastructure Week, a series of advocacy and educational events designed to raise awareness about infrastructure’s role in the U.S. economy and communities — and the need for increased and continued investment from government and the private sector.

Las Vegas’ city hall was designed to be a model of energy efficiency in a town known for extravagance.

How OSHA's new Hazard Communication Standard will affect fabricators and erectors—and how to prepare for it. 

The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) has announced the winners of the 2016 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards.

Living to 100 is a notable achievement, and for structures — a testament to their strength and durability. Four Chicago bridges (all of them steel) are celebrating their centennial year. 

Registration is now open for a new Night School course, “Introduction to Steel Bridge Design,” developed by AISC and NSBA in conjunction with Purdue University. The course consists of eight 90-minute webinar sessions (offering up to 12 PDHs), with the first session to be held on Monday, June 6. 

Congratulations to our winners: Jeff Rodeheaver, detailing manager, and Matt Baldwin, project manager, both with SWF Industrial, Inc., Wrightsville, Pa.! 

As the east span of the decades-old San Francisco Bay Bridge is being steadily demolished, a video by Caltrans explores how the millions of pounds of steel from the colossal bridge is taking on new life through art and recycling.

A new resource, “Facts for Steel Buildings #4: Sound Isolation and Noise Control,” available as a free download from AISC, provides building owners and designers with a basic understanding of sound isolation and noise control for buildings, as well as useful tools to address these issues for steel structures. 

The votes are in! The winner of AISC’s fifth annual Steel Sculpture Competition is “Building America” by Universal Steel Inc. 

AISC is offering a three-part webinar series, “Vibration of Steel Framed Structural Systems Due to Human Activity,” which will be held on Thursdays starting May 5 through May 19. The presentations will cover a wide spectrum of topics related to vibration analysis, including an introduction to floor vibration analysis concepts, resonance and human tolerance criteria, as well as retrofit strategies for structures with unacceptable vibration levels. 

The Flushing Commons megacomplex in Queens, N.Y. finished the first phase of development last month with the topping out of two high-rise buildings, one a 14-story residential tower and the other an 11-story office building. The 1.8-million-sq.-ft project transforms what was a municipal parking lot into a vibrant new mixed-use development.

Pre-registration is open for the first World Innovation in Bridge Engineering (WIBE) competition, organized by BERD-FEUP (Bridge Engineering and Research Design and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto). The winner — selected by a jury of international associations including AISC/NSBA — will receive $50,000. 

The Steel Tube Institute’s HSS Design Manual is now available in three new volumes: Volume 2A, Volume 2B and Volume 3. 

Robert Halvorson, S.E., P.E., FASCE, FIStructE, founding principal of Halvorson and Partners, a WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff Company, based in Chicago, has been named winner of the Institution of Structural Engineers’ 2016 Gold Medal. The award recognizes individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession of structural engineering. 

AISC and its bridge division, NSBA, recently urged U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to "enforce trade laws and keep the playing fields level for U.S. fabricators." In a letter to Froman, AISC leaders called out the increasing flow of fabricated steel entering the U.S. from Asia, Europe, Mexico and Canada, often at prices well below market. This unfair trade activity including government subsidization and currency manipulation takes jobs away from U.S. steel fabricators and their employees.

Sixteen steel bridge projects have earned national recognition in the 2016 Prize Bridge Awards. Conducted every other year by the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), the awards honor significant and innovative steel bridges constructed in the U.S.

Ten structural steel building projects have earned national recognition in the 2016 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS²). The winning projects and their respective team members were recognized today during the 2016 NASCC: The Steel Conference in Orlando, Fla. 

What's the easiest way to schedule your time at the 2016 NASCC: The Steel Conference? The NASCC Conference App, of course! 

Wednesday is the opening day of NASCC: The Steel Conference and we’re ready for a great time in Orlando! If you’re not able to join us in person, there’s still time to sign-up to watch NASCC sessions live on your computer or in your conference room.

A modern greenhouse links old and new construction on an urban college campus.

The fast replacement of eight deteriorating bridges in downtown Nashville is shown in a time-lapse video on ENR.com. The Fast Fix 8 project used accelerated bridge construction (ABC) techniques to replace the four I-40 twin bridges (eight in total), completing the job in just 10 weekend highway closures, seven months ahead of schedule.

The second quarter 2016 issue of AISC’s Engineering Journal is now available at www.aisc.org/ej. You can view, download and print the current digital edition.

Five AISC-member companies (all of which are also AISC certified) were recently honored for their structural steel framing work in the 2016 Craftsmanship Awards. Conducted annually by the Washington Building Congress (WBC), the awards recognize exceptional workmanship on building projects throughout the Washington, D.C., area. 

The current draft of the 2017 AISC Certification Standard for Steel Fabrication, Erection, and Manufacturing of Metal Components (AISC 207-17) is now available for public review until May 16, 2016. 

The current draft of the 2016 AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges is now available for public review until May 16, 2016. This is an update of the 2010 version of the Code. 

AISC is presenting a two-hour continuing education course, “Sustainability and Multistory Residential: Structural Steel Framing Solutions,” at AIA Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

Fourteen leaders from across the structural steel design, construction and academic community will receive distinguished awards from AISC at the 2016 NASCC: The Steel Conference (April 13-15 in Orlando). 

Forty-five young architects toured the construction site of Chicago’s new River Point office tower last week, hosted by AISC on behalf of the Young Architects Forum of Chicago.

Congratulations to our sole winner: Jeff Rodeheaver, detailing manager for SWF Industrial, Inc., Wrightsville, Pa.! 

Construction employment increased in 243 out of 358 metro areas between January 2015 and January 2016, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released last week by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Employment in the sector was unchanged in 43 areas and declined in 72.

Public voting is open until April 1 for the fourth annual Architizer A+ Awards in the Popular Choice category. The awards program honors the best architecture, spaces and products across the globe.

For students and teachers, NASCC: The Steel Conference can serve as a spring break of sorts--albeit one where steel, not sand and sun, is the focus. In addition to the nearly 150 specialized sessions on buildings and bridges that will take place at the Steel Conference (April 13-15 in Orlando), special educational opportunities are also available for students and educators. 

The first steel roof truss for the new Detroit Events Center was lifted into place last week. 

Fernando Friás, longtime president of the Mexican Institute of Steel Construction (IMCA), passed away on March 8 at the age of 90. 

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is seeking licensed structural engineers to participate in a professional activities and knowledge study (also known as PAKS) for its Structural Engineering exam. 

More than 70 structural steel facilities are being honored with an AISC Safety Award for their excellent records of safety performance in 2015. 

If you’re a steel bridge professional interested in exchanging ideas with others in the industry, you should consider attending the next AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration meeting, to be held in Virginia Beach, Va., May 3-5 at the Wyndham Virginia Beach. 

A new, taller Ferris wheel was recently installed at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The nearly 200-ft wheel will open on May 27 and kick off the city’s Centennial Celebration. 

The 2016 ASCE/AISC National Student Steel Bridge Competition (NSSBC) is underway! The season kicks off with three regional competitions being held today through Saturday and 15 more to follow in late March through April, culminating with the national competition over Memorial Day weekend, May 27-28 at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. 

To help keep participants informed about program updates and changes, AISC Certification has released Certification Bulletin 2016-1: Current Participant Conversion to Standard Based Erector Certification Program. The bulletin is available at www.aisc.org/certification.

New York City’s World Trade Center Transportation Hub, also known as the Oculus, partially opened to the public last week.