SSSBA Strengthens Partnerships with County Engineers at NACE 2026

Image: Dr. Michael Barker (left), University of Wyoming; Mark Servi (center), M&L Management Consultant (former Barron County, Wisconsin County Engineer); Myrissa Welch (right), SSAB and Chair of the SSSBA, at the SSSBA exhibit booth. 

The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) was proud to participate in the 2026 National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Annual Conference, held April 12–15, 2026, at the Loews Hotel & Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas.

The event brought together county engineers and industry leaders from across the country for several days of technical exchange, collaboration, and networking.

Technical Session: Optimized Steel Bridge Design in Minutes

At the Technical Track session, Dr. Michael Barker, SSSBA Director of Education and Professor at the University of Wyoming, presented practical approaches to simplifying short span steel bridge design. His session drew more than 60 attendees and sparked strong technical discussion.

Dr. Michael Barker presented practical approaches to simplifying short span steel bridge design.

Download the slides from the presentation.

The focus was eBEAM140, a free design tool developed in accordance with the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications. The tool streamlines the design of short span steel bridges by supporting a wide range of girder and diaphragm configurations, including skewed geometries, and accommodating both 50 and 65 ksi steel.

It supports composite and noncomposite bridges with two to four lanes and allows flexible loading options, including custom truck definitions. The program evaluates key limit states such as Strength, Service, Fatigue, Construction, and Deflection, while also providing shear stud design for composite systems.

Dr. Michael Barker presents on practical steel bridge design solutions, highlighting the SSSBA’s goal of making steel bridges easier to design, faster to deliver, and more economical for local communities.

Beyond analysis, the tool enables engineers to quickly evaluate “what-if” scenarios by adjusting section properties, unbraced lengths, and layout configurations. A complete design report is generated for documentation and verification, supporting efficient project delivery.

Building on the success of eSPAN140, which has supported more than 10,000 bridge designs, eBEAM140 helps engineers reduce design time, evaluate alternatives, and identify more cost-effective solutions.

The overarching goal remains clear, to make steel bridges:

• Easier to design
• Faster to deliver
• Economical for local communities

Interested in Hosting a Workshop?
SSSBA offers complimentary, customized workshops for state DOTs, county engineers, and consulting firms nationwide. These sessions can be tailored to address specific project needs, funding considerations, and design practices relevant to your region.

Agencies or organizations interested in scheduling a similar workshop are encouraged to contact Dan Snyder, SSSBA director at dsnyder@steel.org to learn more about bringing this program to their state or county.

SSSBA Exhibit Booth: Connecting with County Engineers

Attendees visited the SSSBA booth to connect with SSSBA representatives and explore technical resources, educational programs, and case studies highlighting steel bridge design and construction. Many expressed interest in how steel solutions can reduce lifecycle maintenance costs and improve delivery timelines for county and local bridge projects.

Sponsoring the NACE Executive Committee Dinner

The SSSBA also sponsored the NACE Executive Committee Dinner, supporting a key networking opportunity for industry and association leadership.

SSSBA members who sponsored the NACE Executive Committee Dinner had the opportunity to discuss how their companies and organizations support local infrastructure and contribute to practical, cost-effective bridge solutions for communities.

SSSBA dinner sponsors engaged with NACE Executive Committee members during the reception, sharing how their organizations support local infrastructure and practical bridge solutions.

SSSBA dinner sponsors joined NACE Executive Committee members for dinner and networking.

Sincere thanks are extended to the member organizations who sponsored the dinner and continue to support the mission of advancing county infrastructure through innovation and collaboration:

Dinner Sponsors:

• Acrow
• American Galvanizers Association
• AZZ Metal Coatings
• Cleveland-Cliffs
• Contech Engineered Solutions
• Infra-Metals
• International Zinc Association
• National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association
• National Steel Bridge Alliance
• South Atlantic LLC
• SSAB
• The Sherwin-Williams Company
• V&S Galvanizing
• Valmont Coatings

Sincere thanks to the SSSBA members who sponsored the dinner and support the mission of advancing county infrastructure through innovation and collaboration.

Looking Ahead: NACE 2027 Annual Conference

Mark your calendars! The next NACE Annual Conference will take place April 5 – 8, 2027, in Cleveland, Ohio.

This event promises to continue the tradition of bringing together county engineers and industry professionals to share knowledge, innovations and best practices in infrastructure development.

The SSSBA thanks Kevan Stone, Executive Director of NACE, Staci Morgan Gunderson, Conference Director, and all the NACE members for another successful conference. The SSSBA looks forward to continuing its collaboration with county engineers nationwide to advance practical, cost-effective steel solutions that strengthen the infrastructure communities rely on every day.