SSSBA and Partners Offer Free Online Steel Bridge Live Lecture Series for Students and Faculty

Dr. Michael Barker, professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming.
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance, University of Wyoming, American Institute of Steel Construction and National Steel Bridge Alliance are offering a free six-part live-lecture educational series that will cover the many aspects of designing, fabricating and constructing steel bridges.
The “Steel Bridge Education Lectures: From Concept to Delivery” six-part series will run from September 8-24, 2020. Lectures will be provided on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during those weeks from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm EDT.
Registration is currently limited to students and faculty. Participants must complete and pass a quiz after each lecture to earn a Certificate of Completion at the end of the series, which can be used toward building student resumes and preparing them for jobs in the bridge industry.
The lectures will be delivered live by Michael Barker, Ph.D., P.E., professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming, via the WyoLearn Learning Management System.
The lectures can be viewed synchronously (in real time) and asynchronously (recorded version). Dr. Barker has over 30 years of experience in bridge design and construction.

Each participate that completes the course will earn a Certificate of Completion.
“We launched this lecture series in July for university students who were planning to take classes or internships this summer but were unable to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dan Snyder, director of the SSSBA. “We had more students register than we could accommodate, and their feedback after the series had concluded was very positive. For this fall session, we are encouraging both students and faculty to register, and we’re looking forward to another successful event.”
Snyder said that while many engineering programs do not offer courses on steel bridge design and construction, these lectures will provide a wide scope of learning opportunities typically unavailable to students. He commented that the lecture series is timely as legislators work on a multi-year surface transportation bill which could create demand and new jobs to rebuild the nation’s 56,000-plus structurally deficient bridges.
More information on the lecture series, course syllabus and registration details are available at https://mailchi.mp/steel/student-lectures-2020.
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.
News
Industry Leaders Weigh In on AASHTO’s 2026 Transportation Priorities
During AASHTO’s 2026 Washington Briefing, a panel of industry leaders discussed reauthorization priorities, emphasizing federal funding, improved safety, faster project delivery, and the role of technology in advancing transportation outcomes.
News
SSSBA to Present, Exhibit and Sponsor Executive Dinner at NACE Conference in Texas (April 12-15)
The SSSBA will present, exhibit and sponsor the Executive Committee dinner at the NACE Annual Conference, April 12-15, in Arlington, Texas. Stop by SSSBA exhibit booth #413 to learn about the benefits of steel bridges.
News
Missouri Steel Bridge Bundle Project Wins Prize Bridge Award
The National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) named Missouri’s FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle the 2026 Prize Bridge Award winner in the Short Span category. Fabricated by SSSBA member DeLong’s, the project delivered 31 rural bridges across 15 counties using galvanized steel and SDCL design for a 100-year service life.
Short Span Steel Bridges