Short Span Steel Bridges 
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).
Does the SSSBA offer educational opportunities?
Yes! The SSSBA offers educational opportunities to students and professionals:
Professionals: The SSSBA provides complimentary half-day or full-day workshops on short span steel bridge design to states, counties, and design firms. Topics covered include practical and cost-effective steel bridge design and fabrication with eSPAN140, press-brake-formed steel tub girders, steel buried bridge design, galvanized coating solutions, and economical design with case studies, and more. The workshops can take place virtually or in-person, compliments of the steel industry. Learn more.
Students: The University of Wyoming and the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance created a free 6-part live-lecture educational series to cover the many aspects of designing, fabricating, and constructing steel bridges. All students who successfully complete the education series will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Wyoming. Learn more.
Speakers: The SSSBA provides expert speakers to present topics of interest on the cost-effective design and construction of short span steel bridges. If you need a speaker for your next event, contact the SSSBA.
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