Steel Has the Solution

Interested in using steel for your next bridge project? We can help! The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (non-profit) is a group of steel bridge industry leaders offering free resources and project assistance.

Create Simple Span Bridge Designs in 5-Minutes

Want to build your own bridge? eSPAN140 is a free online design tool which provides customized steel solutions for bridges up to 140 feet.

Precision Rolled-Beam Calculations, Simplified

Want to optimize your beam designs? eBEAM140 is a free Excel-based tool for designing and refining simple span composite and noncomposite steel rolled-beam bridges.

Plate Girder Calculations, Optimized

Want to optimize your plate girder designs? ePLATE140 is a free Excel-based tool for designing, evaluating and optimizing simple-span composite and noncomposite steel plate girder bridges.

Find a Supplier to Build Your Next Bridge Project

Looking for suppliers that specialize in short span bridges? The SSSBA provides free access to a complete online listing of manufacturers and suppliers.

The Latest

Events

Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (March 17, 2027 – Washington, DC)

The SSSBA will hold its next Semi-Annual Membership Meeting on March 17, 2027, at the AISI headquarters in Washington, DC, with virtual participation available. The meeting will feature updates on innovative steel bridge design tools, research initiatives, marketing efforts and opportunities for industry collaboration.

Thomas P. Murphy, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., senior vice president and chief technical officer of Modjeski and Masters, as the recipient of the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award.

News

Steel Bridge Task Force Honors Thomas Murphy with 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award

The Steel Bridge Task Force honored Thomas P. Murphy of Modjeski and Masters with the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award during its September 28 meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The award recognizes Murphy’s outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing steel bridge design, research and AASHTO specifications.

News

SSSBA Semi-Annual Meeting in Omaha Highlights Innovation and Industry Collaboration

Steel bridge industry leaders gathered in Omaha, Nebraska, for the SSSBA Semi-Annual Meeting. The meeting featured technical presentations, industry updates, facility tours and discussions on advancing short span steel bridges. The next meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2027, in Washington, D.C.

Steel Plate Girder Design 6-Part Live Lecture Webinar Series2

Events

Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Nov. 3)

Take your bridge design skills to the next level in this free six-part webinar series led by Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming. Learn step-by-step how to design a composite plate girder bridge and earn a certificate of completion in this course from the SSSBA.

News

Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel Leaders Meet in Alaska

The Steel Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee met in Anchorage for technical presentations, project updates and industry recognition. The meetings concluded with an Alaska DOT hosted tour of the Juneau Creek Bridge and surrounding Sterling Highway construction.

News

SSSBA to Present at North Central States Consortium in Omaha, NE (Sept. 28-30)

Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming, will represent SSSBA at the North Central States Consortium (NCSC) in Omaha, Nebraska. His presentation (Tuesday, September 29, 1:30–2:15 p.m.) will explore how optimized plate girders can expand the range of steel solutions for bridges with spans of 60 to 100 feet.

Events

Free Webinar – Designing Steel Connections Without Drilling or Welding (Sept. 30)

Join SSSBA member Lindapter to learn how to design and install steel-to-steel connections without drilling or hot welding. The webinar covers ICC-ES recognized connections and the advantages of clamping systems (Sept. 30, 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET). Earn 1 PDH.

News

AISI Corrosion Advisory Group to Meet October 27 in Ohio

The AISI Corrosion Advisory Group (CAG) will meet October 27 at the Sherwin-Williams Research & Development Center in Ohio. Discussions will focus on corrosion research, coatings, steel durability and related industry needs.

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News

Steel Bridge Task Force Honors Thomas Murphy with 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award

The Steel Bridge Task Force honored Thomas P. Murphy of Modjeski and Masters with the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award during its September 28 meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The award recognizes Murphy’s outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing steel bridge design, research and AASHTO specifications.
SSSBA Semi-Annual Meeting in Omaha Highlights Innovation and Industry Collaboration

Steel bridge industry leaders gathered in Omaha, Nebraska, for the SSSBA Semi-Annual Meeting. The meeting featured technical presentations, industry updates, facility tours and discussions on advancing short span steel bridges. The next meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2027, in Washington, D.C.
Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Nov. 3)

Take your bridge design skills to the next level in this free six-part webinar series led by Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming. Learn step-by-step how to design a composite plate girder bridge and earn a certificate of completion in this course from the SSSBA.
Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel Leaders Meet in Alaska

The Steel Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee met in Anchorage for technical presentations, project updates and industry recognition. The meetings concluded with an Alaska DOT hosted tour of the Juneau Creek Bridge and surrounding Sterling Highway construction.
SSSBA to Present at North Central States Consortium in Omaha, NE (Sept. 28-30)

Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming, will represent SSSBA at the North Central States Consortium (NCSC) in Omaha, Nebraska. His presentation (Tuesday, September 29, 1:30–2:15 p.m.) will explore how optimized plate girders can expand the range of steel solutions for bridges with spans of 60 to 100 feet.
AISI Corrosion Advisory Group to Meet October 27 in Ohio

The AISI Corrosion Advisory Group (CAG) will meet October 27 at the Sherwin-Williams Research & Development Center in Ohio. Discussions will focus on corrosion research, coatings, steel durability and related industry needs.
Free 6-Part Live Lecture Series: Steel Bridge Design — From Concept to Delivery (Starts Sept. 7)

SSSBA and the University of Wyoming are offering a free six-part lecture series, September 7–23. The series covers key aspects of steel bridge design, fabrication and construction, with live and recorded participation available.

Upcoming Events

Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (March 17, 2027 – Washington, DC)

The SSSBA will hold its next Semi-Annual Membership Meeting on March 17, 2027, at the AISI headquarters in Washington, DC, with virtual participation available. The meeting will feature updates on innovative steel bridge design tools, research initiatives, marketing efforts and opportunities for industry collaboration.
Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Nov. 3)

Take your bridge design skills to the next level in this free six-part webinar series led by Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming. Learn step-by-step how to design a composite plate girder bridge and earn a certificate of completion in this course from the SSSBA.
Free Webinar – Designing Steel Connections Without Drilling or Welding (Sept. 30)

Join SSSBA member Lindapter to learn how to design and install steel-to-steel connections without drilling or hot welding. The webinar covers ICC-ES recognized connections and the advantages of clamping systems (Sept. 30, 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET). Earn 1 PDH.
AISI Corrosion Advisory Group to Meet October 27 in Ohio

The AISI Corrosion Advisory Group (CAG) will meet October 27 at the Sherwin-Williams Research & Development Center in Ohio. Discussions will focus on corrosion research, coatings, steel durability and related industry needs.
Free 4-Part Quarterly Webinar Series: Steel Bridge Playbook (Next Webinar, Dec. 10)

This free, four-part quarterly webinar series delivers expert insights on steel bridge design, preservation, and innovation. Explore essential design resources, corrosion protection through galvanizing, accelerated construction methods, and real-world case studies to gain practical guidance for every steel bridge project. Sponsored by SSSBA and AGA. This course is accredited by AIA and RCEP to provide 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hours).
Free 6-Part Live Lecture Series: Steel Bridge Design — From Concept to Delivery (Starts Sept. 7)

SSSBA and the University of Wyoming are offering a free six-part lecture series, September 7–23. The series covers key aspects of steel bridge design, fabrication and construction, with live and recorded participation available.
Free Webinar: Galvanize It! Core Webinar (Aug. 26)

SSSBA member American Galvanizers Association’s Core Galvanize It! webinar provides an introduction to hot-dip galvanizing, covering the galvanizing process, zinc coatings, and key benefits such as corrosion resistance, durability, longevity, sustainability and life-cycle cost. The seminar is AIA and RCEP accredited for 1.0 LU/PDH.

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Recommended for You

Economics

Steel vs. Concrete: A Deep Dive into Bridge Life Cycle Economics

A comprehensive study by Dr. Michael Barker of the University of Wyoming analyzes 1,186 steel and concrete girder bridges in Pennsylvania to compare life cycle costs, offering data-driven insights into long-term economic performance and service life.