AISI Welding Advisory Group Meets at WJE Headquarters

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Welding Advisory Group (WAG) held its most recent meeting on June 2, 2026, at the Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) headquarters and Janney Technical Center in Northbrook, Illinois.

The meeting brought together 25 participants, attending both in person and virtually, for a full day of technical presentations, research updates, and collaborative discussion focused on advancing welding technology for steel bridges and related structures.

Welding Advisory Group Focus and Membership

The AISI Welding Advisory Group is comprised of technical experts from steel producers, fabricators, welding equipment manufacturers, academia, government agencies and related organizations. The group focuses on advancing innovation and best practices in welding through specification development, research support, and evaluation of emerging technologies. The WAG meets twice per year and serves as a key forum for coordination across industry, research and public-sector stakeholders.

WAG members toured WJE’s 70,000-square-foot Janney Technical Center in Northbrook, Illinois, gaining firsthand exposure to advanced structural testing and materials science capabilities supporting steel research and engineering applications.

Meeting Hosted at WJE Janney Technical Center

The meeting was hosted by WJE at its Northbrook, Illinois headquarters and included a tour of the organization’s 70,000-square-foot Janney Technical Center. The laboratory provides advanced capabilities in structural testing and materials science, including metallurgy, corrosion, concrete and mortar testing, environmental exposure and forensic engineering analysis. The tour provided attendees with direct exposure to WJE’s applied research environment and supported technical discussions throughout the day.

Technical Presentations and Industry Updates

The agenda included a range of technical presentations and updates from industry, academic, and government representatives, including:

• An overview of WJE’s engineering and laboratory research capabilities
• A steel industry update highlighting current trends and developments
• Anisotropy data analysis and recommendations for structural steel applications
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) updates on additive manufacturing initiatives
• Purdue University research on the ductility of large welded connections
• Applications of high-strength steel for wind turbine tower systems
• Welding procedure qualification requirements under the AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code

AISI extends its appreciation to WJE for hosting the meeting and supporting the technical program and laboratory tour.

Those interested in participating in future Welding Advisory Group activities are encouraged to contact Dan Snyder, Vice President of Construction at AISI (dsnyder@steel.org).