Short Span Steel Bridges 
Free 6-Part Live Lecture Series: Steel Bridge Design — From Concept to Delivery (Starts Sept. 7)
Title: Live Lecture Series: Steel Bridge Design — From Concept to Delivery
Dates: September 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23 (Mondays and Wednesdays)
Time: 1:00 – 2:00PM ET (same time for all dates)
Live and Recorded Options: Lectures will be available live (synchronous) and as recordings (asynchronous).
Continuing Education: A certificate of completion for 6.0 attendance hours/credits will be provided by the University of Wyoming to registered participants who successfully complete all six lectures and the quiz associated with each lecture. Participants may complete the lectures either live or through the recorded sessions. Certificates will not be awarded for completion of individual lectures.
Who Should Attend: Bridge owners, engineers, designers, fabricators, contractors, transportation officials, faculty and students interested in the design, fabrication and construction of short span steel bridges.
Cost: Free
Registration: The lectures will be delivered live through the University of Wyoming’s Zoom platform, and the series will be managed through the University of Wyoming’s WyoLearn Learning Management System. Recordings will also be available for asynchronous participation. Participants may attend individual lectures based on their interests and schedules. However, completion of all six lectures and the associated quizzes is required to receive the University of Wyoming certificate of completion. The registration system requires participants to register for the entire lecture series.
Sponsors:
Co-Sponsored by the University of Wyoming and Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance.
Overview:
The University of Wyoming and Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) are co-hosting a six-part lecture series for bridge owners, designers, faculty, students and other professionals interested in the design, fabrication and construction of short span steel bridges.
Dr. Michael Barker, Professor of Civil & Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming and SSSBA Director of Education, will be the featured lecturer. The series will use case studies and practical examples to explore innovative and cost-effective approaches to steel bridge design and delivery.
The six lectures will cover topics ranging from bridge infrastructure and steel bridge economics to multi-span bridge design, detailing and fabrication, durability and corrosion protection, accelerated bridge construction, and prefabricated bridge solutions. The curriculum includes simple-span bridges up to 140 feet and multi-span bridges.
Continuing Education
A certificate of completion for 6.0 attendance hours/credits will be provided by the University of Wyoming to registered participants who successfully complete all six lectures and the quiz associated with each lecture. Participants may complete the series through either the live lectures or the recorded sessions (or a combination of both).
This photo is a replica certificate students will receive for PDH’s.
Webinar Schedule (all times are 1:00 – 2:00PM ET)
Module #1: September 7
Title: Bridge Infrastructure, the Steel Bridge Industry and Bridge Steel
- The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) & the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA)
- Bridge Infrastructure
- Steel Bridges
- Steel Production & Types of Steel
- Benefits of Steel Bridges
Module #2: September 9
Title: Short Span Steel Girder Bridge Economics & Design Tools
- Initial Costs of County & State Case Studies
- Life Cycle Costs
- eSPAN140, eBEAM140, ePLATE140 Standard Short Span Steel Bridge Design
Module #3: September 14
Title: Multi-Span Steel Girder Bridges & SIMON: Designing Multi-Span Steel Bridges
- Designing multi-span steel bridges
- Economical and effective design and basic detailing
- NSBA design guides
- SIMON and SIMON design example
Module #4: September 16
Title: Detailing, Fabrication, Durability & Corrosion Protection
- Common bridge steels and availability
- Design for fabrication and constructability
- Design detailing for economy
- Fabrication of a steel bridge
- Durability and steel corrosion protection systems, including weathering steel, stainless steel, galvanizing, metallizing and painting
Module #5: September 21
Title: Accelerated Bridge Construction Applications
- Accelerated bridge construction
- Substructures
- Superstructures and case studies
Module #6: September 23
Title: Manufacturer Bridge Solutions Showcase
- Introduction to prefabricated bridge manufacturers
- Manufacturer case studies
Instructor Biography and Contact Information
Dr. Michael Barker is a Professor of Civil & Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming. He is also the Director of Education for the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance. His primary research pertains to steel bridges, experimental testing, bridge design specifications, bridge field testing, high performance steel and reliability analyses of structures.
Dr. Michael Barker, PE
Professor, Civil & Architectural Engineering / SSSBA Director of Education
University of Wyoming
Barker@uwyo.edu
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.
Events
Free Webinar: Galvanize It! Core Webinar (Aug. 26)
SSSBA member American Galvanizers Association’s Core Galvanize It! webinar provides an introduction to hot-dip galvanizing, covering the galvanizing process, zinc coatings, and key benefits such as corrosion resistance, durability, longevity, sustainability and life-cycle cost. The seminar is AIA and RCEP accredited for 1.0 LU/PDH.
Events
Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (Oct. 12-14, 2026 – Omaha, NE)
SSSBA members are invited to attend the next Semi-Annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss the latest research, technical advancements and educational initiatives in steel bridge design and construction. This meeting will be co-located with the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Executive Committee and Board meetings.
Events
Free 4-Part Quarterly Webinar Series: Steel Bridge Playbook (Next Webinar, Sept. 10)
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. This course is accredited by AIA and RCEP to provide 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hours).