Steel in the News

Attention Apple users: Did you know you can view and explore structural 3D models on your iOS devices? Late last year, Bentley Systems, Inc. released Structural Synchronizer View, a free app that allows designers to navigate models created with Structural Synchronizer V8 from anywhere, using an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

Structural Synchronizer View facilitates information access from any structural model and is part of Bentley’s iWare App suite, which features various tools for information mobility and enhanced interoperability. The app is now available for free via iTunes.

To learn more about Structural Synchronizer View and download the app, visit Bentley’s website at www.bentley.com (direct link: http://bit.ly/IWeOEQ).

Are you planning to attend the AIA Convention and Expo this week in Washington, D.C.? If so, you have the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in curved steel and how it can enhance the creativity and efficiency of your next design.

When you visit AISC’s booth (#1615) at the show and mention “curved steel,” you’ll gain first-hand knowledge on the subject from industry experts (who actually curve steel!) and receive a free copy of the Curved Steel Guide for Specifiers, along with the new Curved Steel Quick Reference Guide for architects.

As an added bonus, ask the AISC staff in the booth about this year’s SteelDay and receive a prize!

Unable to attend the AIA Expo? You can request the Curved Steel resources from AISC’s Steel Solutions Center at solutions@aisc.org.

Just look at the majesty of this exposed curved steel building! This photo is of the Ave Maria University Oratory in Ave Maria, Fla., a 2008 AISC IDEAS2 Award winner. Photo: Cannon Design

The winning steel sculpture in AISC’s first-ever SteelDay Sculpture Competition -- “The Welder” -- submitted by Cody Builders Supply, Austin, Texas. Photo: AISC

Last year, SteelDay introduced a creative element to its national program. The SteelDay Sculpture Competition challenged AISC Full and Associate Members to build an innovative steel sculpture to be displayed on SteelDay as well as this year’s NASCC in Dallas, where the winner was voted on by conference attendees.

Eight sculptures were entered into the competition. The winning sculpture was “The Welder,” submitted by Cody Builders Supply, an AISC member fabricator in Austin, Texas. Weighing in at 140 lbs and made mostly of 1/4-in.-thick plate, the sculpture pushed the size limit for the competition and is exactly 2 ft tall (and just look at that detailing work!).

You can view all eight entrants at SteelDay’s Facebook page. The Welder will also be featured in the June issue of MSC, available June 1.

This year’s SteelDay is set for September 28, and will once again offer the opportunity to display your works of steel! Information on this year’s events can be found at www.aisc.org/steelday, where continuous updates will be provided as plans are rolled out. Interested in hosting an event this year? Contact AISC’s Maria Blood at blood@aisc.org.

The Second Quarter 2012 issue of Engineering Journal is now available online in digital edition format. View the current issue online by clicking here.

Papers in Engineering Journal Q2 include:

• “Effect of Washer Placement on Performance of Direct Tension Indicators with Curved Protrusions,” by Douglas B. Cleary, William T. Riddell and Christopher J. Lacke

• “A Simplified Approach for Evaluating Second-Order Effects in Low-Rise Steel-Framed Buildings,” by Souhail Elhouar and Yasser Khodair

• “The Effect of Piece Marking on Fatigue Performance of Bridge Steel,” by Karl H. Frank, Vasilis Samaras and Todd A. Helwig

• “Current Steel Structures Research No. 30,” by Reidar Bjorhovde

Each quarterly current issue of EJ is available in digital format and free to the public until the next issue is published.

The complete collection of Engineering Journal articles is searchable at www.aisc.org/ej. Current and past articles can be downloaded as PDFs and are free to AISC members and ePubs subscribers; just make sure you are logged into the AISC website (www.aisc.org) before searching. Non-members will be directed to the AISC Bookstore at www.aisc.org/store to purchase articles.

Last month’s opening of the new lanes on the Huey P. Long Bridge has been long-awaited by New Orleans locals. Traffic was switched from the bridge’s old lanes to two new lanes in each direction, bringing the $1.2-billion widening project one step closer to completion.

The traffic switch allowed the old lanes to be removed and the new travel lanes to be widened. Instead of completely replacing the bridge, bridge engineering firm Modjeski and Masters designed a steel support system to widen the existing truss. When completed, the bridge will also feature an additional travel lane and inside and outside shoulders to each side of the bridge, and the total driving surface width will be more than doubled, providing a safer, more reliable Mississippi River crossing.

The first phase of the expansion project began in April 2006, and the bridge is now in its final phase of construction. The entire project is slated to be completed in early 2013.

To learn more about the Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project, visit www.timedla.com/bridge/long/overview. You can also take a look back at our previous news post, commemorating the bridge’s topping out last year, at http://bit.ly/nsXlQi.