Short Span Steel Bridges 
Help Provide an Amazing Competition for Student Bridge Engineers!
Information provided by the National Steel Bridge Alliance
Student teams from more than 200 colleges and universities are hard at work right now designing, fabricating, and testing the scale river crossings they hope will bring them victory in this year’s Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC)—and you can help make their experience unforgettable!
AISC/NSBA is looking for volunteers to assist with judging, event setup, and other critical jobs that make SSBC events a success (no previous experience required). Learn more and sign up today!
2026 Competition
Regional competitions will take place around the country throughout March and April (exact locations for the upcoming year will be available in fall 2025). The finalists will meet for the national finals at University of Texas at El Paso on May 22-23, 2026.
Volunteers are needed in your community to support student engineers as they design steel bridges, assemble them in a timed environment, and put their handiwork to the test.
Opportunities may include judging, event setup, or general tasks (such as helping with the registration desk, lunch distribution, and others).
If you are unable to volunteer but would like to support your local regional competition or the national finals, you can always become a sponsor!
Learn more about the competition.
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
Dr. Robert Connor Featured on Road Less Traveled Podcast
In a recent episode of the Road Less Traveled podcast, Dr. Robert Connor of Purdue reflects on his path to becoming a national leader in steel bridge fatigue and fracture, and shares his vision for advancing bridge engineering and inspection across the United States.
Events
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.
News
SSSBA Workshop Brings Steel Bridge Solutions to New Jersey
The SSSSBA partnered with the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey to deliver a workshop highlighting practical, cost-effective steel bridge solutions.