American Inst. of Steel Construction

American Instiute of Steel Construction
Contact Information
Scott Melnick
Senior Vice President
American Institute of Steel Construction
130 E. Randolph Street Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60601
United States
312.670.8314
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About

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), a non-partisan, not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921, works to make domestically fabricated structural steel the material of choice for both bridges and structures through various structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including specification and code development (including the Steel Construction Manual), research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, market development, and advocacy.

AISC’s Steel Solutions Center offers free technical assistance. Staff answer hundreds of questions about structural steel design and AISC publications every week, as well as providing conceptual solutions for bridge projects, including tonnage estimates.

AISC’s Certification Programs set the quality standard for the structural steel industry and are the most recognized national quality certification program for the industry. Certification focuses on the entire process of fabrication and erection, with the goal of building quality bridges and structures from the start by focusing on error prevention rather than error correction.

AISC-Certified fabricators and erectors have demonstrated a commitment to quality that goes beyond words and is verified by regular, independent audits. Here are some of the Certifications that facilities may hold:

Fabricator Bridge QMS Certification

  • Certified Bridge Fabricator – Simple (SBR) fabricates unspliced rolled sections.
  • Certified Bridge Fabricator – Intermediate (IBR) fabricates typical bridges that do not require extraordinary measures. Typical examples might include: (1) a rolled beam bridge with field or shop splices, either straight or with a radius over 500 ft; (2) a built-up I-shaped plate girder bridge with constant web depth (except for dapped ends), with or without splices, either straight or with a radius over 500 ft; (3) a built-up I-shaped plate girder with variable web depth (e.g., haunched), either straight or with a radius over 1000 ft; (4) a truss with a length of 200 ft or less that is entirely or substantially pre-assembled at the certified
  • Certified Bridge Fabricator – Advanced (ABR) fabricators work on projects that require an additional standard of care in fabrication and erection, particularly with regard to geometric tolerances. Examples include tub or trapezoidal box girders, closed box girders, large or non-preassembled trusses, arches, bascule bridges, cable-support bridges, movable bridges, and bridges with a particularly tight curve radius.

Fabricator Bridge Component QMS Certification is for manufacturers of components that include bracing not designed for primary loads (diaphragms, cross frames, and lateral bracing); camera, light, sign and signal support structures; bridge rail; stairs; walkways; grid decks; drains; scuppers; expansion joints; bearings; ballast plates; and mechanical movable bridge equipment.

AISC Certification also offers optional Sophisticated Paint and Fracture Critical endorsements to qualifying fabrication facilities.

The Erector QMS Certification is for structural steel erectors whose quality and safety management systems meet stringent requirements.

National Steel Bridge Alliance

The National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), a division of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of steel bridge design and construction.

The NSBA functions as the voice of the bridge fabricators and steel mills while also partnering with the bridge design and construction community and celebrates their achievements through programs like the Prize Bridge Awards and the World Steel Bridge Symposium.

The NSBA’s partners include the American Association of State Highway and Transportation (AASHTO), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), state departments of transportation (DOTs), design consultants, contractors, and academic researchers.

With these resources, NSBA is uniquely positioned to find solutions to the toughest bridge challenges, including those related to cost, sustainability, and performance.
NSBA staff located throughout the country provide many services–free of charge:

  • Free design and technical resources
  • Assistance connecting designers with fabricators
  • Steel industry expertise
  • Steel marketplace updates
  • Technical presentations (providing CEUs or PDHs)
  • Conceptual steel bridge solutions

NSBA also offers free design and estimation resources (including LRFD Simon, NSBA Splice, and IRM Evaluator software), plate availability information, webinars, day-long forum events, and much more.

Contact your local NSBA bridge steel specialist for assistance on your next project: