Short Span Steel Bridges 
NSBA and Purdue Offer Free Steel Bridge Seminar Series (Starts Feb. 4)
Purdue University launched a groundbreaking new bridge engineering program last fall, and they’re kicking off the new year with a free seminar series open to anyone interested in fabrication, design, evaluation, and inspection of steel bridges. Tune in February 4 for the first of four seminars and take a closer look at the analysis and design of steel arch bridges! Throughout the free course, you’ll hear directly from some of the professionals shaping today’s bridge engineering practices across multiple sectors.
Title: Steel Bridge Engineering Seminar Series
Location: Online Course
Dates/Times:
- February 4, 2026 (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET)
- February 18, 2026 (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET)
- March 25, 2026 (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET)
- April 29, 2026 (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET)
Cost: Free
Host/Sponsor: Hosted by Purdue University and sponsored by the National Steel Bridge Alliance
Description:
This seminar series brings together leading experts from all fields in steel bridge engineering to present state-of-practice topics. Covering an array of themes — including fabrication, design, evaluation and inspection — each seminar provides practical insights grounded in current industry standards and real-world applications.
Participants will:
- Learn directly from professionals shaping today’s bridge engineering practices across multiple sectors.
- Explore advanced methodologies and innovative approaches to steel bridge performance and durability.
- Gain exposure to case studies that highlight challenges and solutions from design through long-term maintenance.
- Connect with peers in academia and industry to expand professional networks.
Scheduled Speakers:
- February 4, 2026 – (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET): Thomas Murphy, Modjeski & Masters – Analysis and Design of Steel Arch Bridges
- February 18, 2026 – (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET): Todd Helwig, University of Texas at Austin – Stability and Bracing of Steel Bridge Girders
- March 25, 2026 – (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET): Sean Peterson, W&W | AFCO Steel – A Fabricators Perspective
- April 29, 2026 – (3:30 PM to 5:00 PM ET): Michael Grubb, M.A. Grubb & Associates – History of the AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications
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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The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a free, one-hour webinar on hot-dip galvanized steel and the synergistic benefits of combining galvanizing with paint or powder coatings.
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SSSBA to Present at 2026 Purdue Road School in West Lafayette, IN (March 17)
Join the SSSBA at the 2026 Purdue Road School on March 17 (11:00–11:50 AM) to explore free tools for designing short span steel bridges. Hear a contractor’s perspective on simplifying construction, improving efficiency, and reducing costs.
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Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Feb. 24)
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.
Events
Free 4-Part Quarterly Webinar Series: Steel Bridge Playbook (Next Webinar May 7)
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.
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New Jersey Short Span Steel Bridge Workshop (Feb. 12 – Trenton, NJ)
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Events
Steel Bridge Lecture: Steel Solutions for Local Communities (Ft. Collins, CO – Feb. 19)
Join the SSSBA and Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC) on February 19 in Fort Collins, Colorado, for “Building Bridges: Steel Solutions for Local Communities” presented by Dr. Michael Barker. Learn how short span steel bridges cut costs, speed construction, and earn 1.0 PDH.