Short Span Steel Bridges 
SSSBA to Sponsor Two Educational Sessions at the 2026 International Bridge Conference (June 15-17)
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) will sponsor and participate in two educational sessions at the 2026 International Bridge Conference (IBC), taking place June 15–17 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
About the International Bridge Conference
Presented annually by the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania, the International Bridge Conference is one of the premier gatherings of bridge professionals in North America. The conference attracts more than 1,000 bridge owners, engineers, policymakers, government officials, designers, contractors, and suppliers, offering technical education, networking opportunities, and discussions on the latest developments in bridge engineering and construction.
Session 1: eBEAM140 – Precision Beam Calculations, Simplified for Short Span Steel Bridges
Date/Time: Monday, June 15, 2026 | 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Session: Bridge Design 1 – view session on IBC website
Presenter: Dr. Michael Barker, SSSBA Director of Education and Professor, University of Wyoming
Dr. Barker will introduce eBEAM140, SSSBA’s free Excel-based design tool developed specifically for off-system steel bridges. The presentation will highlight how the tool helps engineers efficiently design steel bridge superstructures for a wide range of vehicle loads while providing cost-effective and resilient bridge replacement solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Overview of the eBEAM140 design tool
- Applications for county and local bridge replacement projects
- Design flexibility for varying vehicle load requirements
- Benefits of steel solutions for off-system bridges
Session 2: Driving Efficiency in Steel Bridge Design with Innovative Tools, Resources, and Examples
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. ET
Workshop: W-03 – view workshop on IBC website
Presenters
- Dan Snyder, American Iron and Steel Institute and SSSBA Director (moderator)
- Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming and SSSBA Director of Education
- Frank Russo, Russo Structural Services
- Brandon Chavel, National Steel Bridge Alliance
This interactive workshop will introduce bridge owners and designers to a suite of steel bridge design tools and resources that can streamline the design process from preliminary planning through final design. Attendees will see demonstrations and practical examples showing how these tools can reduce design time, improve decision-making, and enhance project efficiency.
Featured Resources
- eSPAN140 – Preliminary steel bridge design and optimization
- eBEAM140 – Detailed beam analysis and design
- LRFD Simon – Line-girder analysis and preliminary LRFD design
- AISC/NSBA Standard Plans – Standardized steel bridge solutions for spans ranging from 80 to 300 feet
What Attendees Will Learn
- How to quickly evaluate steel bridge alternatives
- Methods for optimizing beam and girder selection
- Available resources for routine bridge applications
- Strategies to improve design efficiency and project delivery
Learn More
Additional information about the International Bridge Conference, including registration and the full technical program, is available at the conference website: https://eswp.com/bridge/bridge-home/
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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