Education

Taking on America’s Infrastructure Challenge, One County at a Time

The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) has developed design tools and educational sessions for county engineers, bridge owners and designers to equip them to move forward. Steel is an optimal material for short span bridges, ensuring durability, speed of design and construction, ease of installation, light weight, the use of local crews, cost-effectiveness and time efficiencies.

The SSSBA is now offering customized virtual and in-person workshops for counties, DOTs, and design firms.  If you are interested in obtaining more information, or scheduling a customized workshop for your state/county or organization, please click here for more information.

Additional tools and educational options:

  • eSPAN140 – A free, web-based design tool that provides customized short span steel bridge solutions in less than five minutes. To access this tool, users go to espan140.com; type in the parameters for their projects such as span length, width and the number of striped traffic lanes; and receive customized preliminary designs and the names of suppliers and fabricators who can take the project from concept through completion. Since 2012, thousands of preliminary designs have been generated by eSPAN140.
  • Short Span Steel Bridge Workshops – The SSSBA offers complimentary educational on-site workshops specifically for county engineers, state DOTs, and design firms. The half-day (or full day) workshops provide practical information on the safe and cost-effective design, detail, fabrication and installation of short span steel bridges (under 140 feet)―including information on standardized designs developed by the bridge industry. Learn more.
  • Steel Bridge Forum – The SSSBA supports the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) to conduct one-day Forums that cover short-, medium- and long-span steel bridge design, and associate research. The Steel Bridge Forums are conducted throughout the U.S. and are ideal for Departments of Transportation.
  • National/Regional Bridge Conferences – SSSBA representatives and county engineers discuss short span steel bridge design and construction at several conferences throughout the year. Our experts are available to provide presentations on topics specific to bridge design and construction.
  • Webinars – The SSSBA hosts one-hour webinars on short span steel bridge design that are eligible for Professional Development Hours (PDHs), conducted by Dr. Michael Barker at the University of Wyoming, Dr. Karl Barth at West Virginia University, Dr. Greg Michaelson at Marshall University and special guest speakers. Learn more.
  • Project Assistance –The SSSBA offers complimentary design support for questions relating to bridge and buried soil steel structure design. The topics include standard design and details of short span bridges (plate girder and rolled beams, buried bridge, press brake tub girders), prefabricated short span steel solutions, durability solutions, and more.
  • Case Studies and Videos – Efficiencies in design, cost and time on specific projects are documented in case studies on the SSSBA website.

SSSBA Educational Resources

AID Demonstration Project

Free Webinar: 2024 Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Information Session (March 19)

This free webinar is to provide an overview of the 2024 Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration solicitation.

NACE Annual Conference 2024

Visit the SSSBA Exhibit Booth at the NACE Annual Conference (April 15-18)

Stop by the SSSBA exhibit booth #412 to learn more about the benefits of steel bridges (and pickup a free gift!) at the NACE Annual Conference.

AGA Core Webinar

Free Webinar, Galvanize It! Core Webinar (March. 27)

The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar event.

NASCC 2024 Conference

Visit the SSSBA Exhibit Booth at NASCC (March 20-22)

Stop by the SSSBA exhibit booth (#1762) at NASCC to learn more about the benefits of steel bridges (and pick up a free gift!).

Steel Bridge Forums

Registration Open for Virginia Steel Bridge Forum (Apr 24)

The National Steel Bridge Alliance, in association with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia, presents a forum focusing on the design and construction of steel highway bridges (Richmond, VA).

American Society of Civil Engineers modular steel bridge

Webinar: Needs and Innovation in Modular, Rapidly Erectable, and Deployable Structures: Steel Bridges (Feb. 15)

The American Society of Civil Engineers invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar event.

Guidelines for Repair and Retrofits

AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration Releases Guidelines for Field Repairs and Retrofits

The AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration releases guidelines focused on repair procedures and retrofit for damaged steel bridges.

AASHTO Logo

AASHTO Seeks Nominations for Two Transportation Awards

AASHTO is seeking nominations for the 2024 America’s Transportation Awards competition and its President’s Transportation Awards.

Free Webinar: Implementing the New Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI) (Feb 15)

The webinar will discuss implementation planning and lessons learned as ITD engages new tools and software upgrades to streamline data collection and conversion to the new format.

AGA Core Webinar

Free Webinar, Galvanize It! Core Webinar (Feb. 14)

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour free webinar event.

SSSBA New Orleans

SSSBA Holds Semiannual Meeting in New Orleans

Last week, over 40 members attended the SSSBA semiannual meeting in New Orleans, LA. The next meeting will take place in September 2024.

World Bridge Engineering Conference Accepting Abstracts for 2024

World Bridge Engineering Conference is officially accepting abstracts for upcoming 2024 event.

Free Webinar: SNBI Collector: Streamline your Data Collection with New Functionality (Jan 31)

The team from Mayvue will review the Specifications for the National Bride Inventory (SNBI) collector being used in conjunction with AASHTOware.

Student Steel Bridge Competition: Volunteer Opportunity

Student Steel Bridge competition looking for volunteers to help schools provide an awesome experience for participating students.

Galvanize It! Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing

January 30: Free Webinar – Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.

AGA Core Webinar

Free Webinar, Galvanize It! Core Webinar (Jan. 18)

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour free webinar event.

National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association Logo

NCSPA Seeks Scholarship Applicants

Submit your application now! The 2024 NCSPA scholarship application window is now open!

American institute of steel construction logo

Webinar: Risk Based Inspection of Steel Bridges (Dec. 12)

The American Institute of Steel Construction invites you to attend a 1.5-hour webinar on risk based inspection of steel bridges.

TRB Annual Meeting 2024

Steel Bridge Workshop Planned for Upcoming TRB Annual Meeting (Jan 7)

This workshop will begin with a discussion on the background and explanations of the changes to the federal requirements, past redundancy research and panel discussion on the implementation of the new design concepts.

AGA Awards

AGA Seeks Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards

Enter Now! The 2024 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards is now Open!

Semi-Annual Meeting

Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (January 22-23) Update

The next SSSBA Semi-Annual meeting will take place in New Orleans, LA. The members meet in-person twice per year to discuss research, technical, and educational activities. 

Galvanize Webinar

Free Webinar, Galvanize It! Duplex Webinar (Nov. 14)

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour free webinar event.

AGA Core Webinar

Free Webinar, Galvanize It! Core Webinar (Nov. 8)

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour free webinar event.

Steel Bridge Webinar Series

On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series: Learning By Example

A distinguished panel of 8 industry experts to present case studies that offer innovative and cost-effective examples of steel bridge replacement projects.

Buried Steel Bridge

October 31: Webinar – Demonstrated Performance of Buried Bridges

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.

Six-Part Lecture Series

Free Virtual Steel Bridge 6-Part Live Lectures Series (Starts Oct. 30)

Register to attend a free webinar series featuring case studies that offer innovative and cost-effective examples of bridge replacement projects.

Galvanize It! Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing

October 26: Free Webinar – Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.

american galvanizers association webinar steel bridge

Free Webinar: Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel Bridge Design (August 30)

The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a webinar on the successful specification, design, and inspection of hot-dip galvanizing on steel bridges.

press brake tub formed girders steel bridge

Webinar: Steel Press-Brake Formed Tub Girders (August 31)

SSSBA member Valmont Structures is speaking at a free webinar for participants to engage with practitioners and industry experts to learn about press-brake-formed tub girders.

Barron County Short Span Steel Bridge Workshop & Bridge Tour (Sept. 6, 2023)

The SSSBA and Barron County are hosting a complimentary educational workshop to learn about cost-effective short span steel bridge solutions.

SSSBA Summer Webinar Series

Free Webinar: Short Span Steel Bridges, Learning by Example

Register to attend a free webinar series featuring case studies that offer innovative and cost-effective examples of bridge replacement projects.

Student Bridge Competition

Student Steel Bridge Competition Showcase Ideas for Wildlife Refuge Crossing

Student design teams took on this year’s challenge to design, analyze, fabricate, and construct a conceptual scaled steel bridge to serve as a hypothetical crossing in the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.

Steel Bridge Workshop

Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (September 18-20)

The next SSSBA Semi-Annual meeting will take place in Denver, CO. The members meet in-person twice per year to discuss research, technical, and educational activities. 

West Virginia Bridge Standards Steel

West Virginia DOT Publishes Standard Bridge Plans for Short Span Bridges

The SSSBA Bridge Technology Center worked with the West Virginia Department of Transportation to developed standard bridges plans for composite rolled beam and plate girders.

NSBA Prize Bridge Awards

NSBA Seeks America’s Best Steel Bridges, Owners for 2024 Prize Bridge Awards

Enter Now! The 2024 Prize Bridge Award Competition is Open!

National Association of County Engineers

Visit SSSBA Booth at NACE, Attend Steel Bridge Presentations (April 17-19)

The SSSBA will present and exhibit (booth #93) at the National Association of County Engineers Annual Conference, April 17-19, 2023 in Orange Beach, AL.

TRB 13 Low Volume Roads Conference

13th TRB International Conference on Low Volume Roads (July 23-27)

The conference provides a forum to examine new technologies and techniques for low-volume roads, and includes a free offsite bridge tour and workshop.

Design Standards

SSSBA Provides Bridge Owners With Complimentary Design Details

The complimentary service allows for the production of standard rolled beam and plate girder designs for highway bridge applications.

2022 Summer Webinar Series

12-Part Video Series: Designing Cost-Effective and Resilient Bridges

Free 12-part video series covers topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges.

Building a Sustainable Infrastructure with Steel Bridges

Building a Sustainable Infrastructure with Steel Bridges

Presentations from a five-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges are now available on-demand.

Modern Corrosion Protection Systems - SSSBA Website

Modern Corrosion Protection Systems

Presentations from a five-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges are now available on-demand.

Steel Bridge Case Studies - SSSBA Website(1)

Steel Bridge Case Studies

Presentations from a five-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges are now available on-demand.

Buchanan County Iowa Bridge Tour & Workshop (July 27, 2023)

Buchanan County Iowa Bridge Tour & Workshop (July 27, 2023)

The 2022 International ABC Conference will feature presentations from members of the SSSBA.

Steel Bridge Design Tools - SSSBA Website

Steel Bridge Design Tools Demonstration

Presentations from a five-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges are now available on-demand.

Steel Bridge Economics

Steel Bridge Economics

Presentations from a five-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges are now available on-demand.

UFL Student Bridge Competition

Student Steel Bridge Competition Showcase Ideas for Wildlife Crossing

Students across the country rose to the challenge and designed a broad array of ideas that would help wildlife safely cross I-90 in Washington state.

New Brunswick Underpass Buried Steel Bridge

Buried Steel Bridges: CSPI 2-Part Video Series

The Corrugated Steel Pipe Institute and the Ontario Good Roads Association present a two-part video series on the use of buried steel bridges.

press brake tub girder

The American Steel Industry: Meeting the Global Demand for a Sustainable Infrastructure and Educated Workforce

With jobs in renewables estimated to reach 42 million globally by 2050., the American steel industry is prepared to meet the challenge of educating a new sustainable workforce.

buried steel bridge

What is a Buried Steel Bridge?

Joel Hahm, Contech Engineered Solutions, provides information on buried steel bridges.

2021 Summer Webinar Series

Steel Bridge Essentials: 6-Part Video Series

A six-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges is now available on-demand.

12-Part Technical Video Bridge Series

12-Part Topic-Based Technical Bridge Video Series

The series reviews basic concepts and ideas pertinent to engineers new to bridge design and those looking for a refresher in fundamental concepts.

United for Infrastructure - Building Sustainable Solutions

Building a Sustainable Infrastructure 3-Part Video Series

Free video lectures featuring industry experts who provide insights on the sustainability of steel bridges.

Live Load Distribution Factors

Video: Live Load Distribution (Part Two)

This video provides an overview live load distribution factors for parameters affecting LLDFs AASHTO Provisions, and some additional topics.

Temporary Steel Bridge

Temporary Steel Bridge Video Series

Collection of 4-videos recorded from a webinar series hosted by the SSSBA on temporary steel bridges.

Contech - Buried Bridge - California

What You Should Know About Buried Bridges

Joel Hahm, Contech Engineered Solutions, provides an expert Q&A on buried bridges.

Live Load Distribution One

Video: Live Load Distribution (Part One)

This video provides an overview of vehicular live loads, structural analysis and live load distribution for bridge design.

Sustainable Steel Bridge

What is a Sustainable Bridge?

Steel bridges can improve our nation’s infrastructure with sustainable solutions that will last well into the next century.

Steel Bridge Lecture Webinar Series

Free Virtual Steel Bridge 6-Part Live Lectures Series (Starts March 20)

All registered participants who successfully complete the free live lecture series will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Wyoming.

Understanding Construction Loads

Video: Understanding Construction Loads

This video provides a general understanding of construction loads for short span steel bridges.

Options for Short-Span Steel Bridge Solutions

Video: Options for Short Span Steel Bridge Solutions

This video provides a summary of economical short span steel bridge solutions to consider for various lengths of crossings.

steel bridge FAQ

Video: 5 Frequently Asked Steel Bridge Questions

This video discusses the most frequently asked questions about short span steel bridges.

Best Practices for Construction

Video: Best Practices During Construction

This video provides an overview of the best practices during construction for short span steel bridges.

14 Reasons to Use Steel Bridges

14 Reasons to Use Structural Steel For Bridges

Here are 14 reasons why steel provides an economical and sustainable choice for the repair or replacement of bridges.

Steel Bridge Virtual Learning

It’s Back to (Virtual) School Time with Free Steel Bridge Education!

Take advantage of these free steel bridge virtual learning opportunities to advance your resume, academic pursuits, or career.

Truss Steel Bridge

Advantages of Steel Truss Bridge Construction

5 advantages of constructing steel truss bridges for both short and long span crossings.

United for Infrastructure Week

Video: United for Infrastructure Webinar – Accelerated Steel Bridge Showcase

Video presentation highlights several steel bridge projects that featured accelerated bridge design and construction.

SSSBA Steel Bridge Education Workshops

Free Customized Workshops for Counties, DOTs, and Design Firms

The SSSBA now offers free customized in-person or vitual workshops for bridge owners and designers.

Steel Bridge Fabrication

Video: Suggested Fabrication Details, Part 2

This video provides an overview of simple and economical practices specific to girder fabrication.

Steel Bridge Fabrication

Video: Suggested Fabrication Details, Part 1

This video provides an overview of simple and economical fabrication for framing system layouts.

Understanding Fatigue of Steel Bridges

Video: Understanding Fatigue

This video provides a basic overview of fatigue theory and relevant specifications related to short-span steel bridges.

Basics of Limited States

Video: Basics of Limit States and LRFD Bridge Design

This video provides an introduction to the basics of limit state design and how engineers design and detail bridges.

Steel Bridge 7-Part Webinar Series

Collection of 7-videos recorded from a webinar series hosted by the SSSBA on solutions for cost-effective steel bridges.

Myths and Realities of Steel Bridges

Steel Bridge Construction: Myths & Realities

Report dispels the “myths” surrounding the use of steel in bridge construction.

Steel Buried Bridge

Hidden in Plain Sight–the Design, Cost and Maintenance Advantages of Steel Buried Bridges

Steel buried bridges are durable and resilient, with the ability to support very heavy loads.

Steel Bridge Workshop

2020-2021: Steel Bridge Forums

The National Steel Bridge Alliance’s Steel Bridge Forums are full-day immersive seminars on current design and fabrication topics for steel bridges.