American Institute of Steel Construction

09/03/2026

Want to build a stronger, more skilled team in your shop? Get an inside look at AISC’s Fabricator Education Program in “Building Stronger Teammates Through Skill Training,” a recording from this year’s NASCC: The Steel Conference!

In the session, program super-user Jonathan Smotherman (Cooper Steel) and AISC's program manager, Joel Landsverk, discuss how industry-specific training tools are helping shops boost productivity, retention, and employee confidence.

View the session for free at go.aisc.org/fabed-bst.

Looking for more resources that cover training, hiring, and mentorship? Explore our library at aisc.org/workforcehub, which also includes free session recordings from NASCC: The Steel Conference!

09/03/2026

You asked, we listened! We've added new AISC member-exclusive features to Clark!

Clark now saves your conversation history automatically, allowing you to revisit previous chats and ask follow-up questions without repeating yourself. You can also export conversations as clean files with one click.

Explore the updates at aisc.org/clark.

Not an AISC member? You can still get your questions answered by Clark, but members get unlimited access as well as the newly introduced features. Fortunately, it's quick, easy, and inexpensive to join AISC for the full experience. Head to aisc.org/membership to get started.

09/02/2026

Bridges don’t just cross rivers. They connect communities to healthcare, education, and opportunities. A new NPR feature highlights how pedestrian bridges are transforming rural communities in Rwanda, which face extreme isolation without safe river crossings.

In May 2026, volunteers from the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) had the honor of working with Fika (formerly Bridges to Prosperity) and local builders to construct a safe steel trail bridge in Rwanda, connecting the Gakenke and Nyabihu districts.

Researchers recently studied the impact of these pedestrian bridges, and the results are in: tens of thousands of surveys from hundreds of villages across Rwanda revealed increases in household consumption and income, land cultivation, and children attending school.

Read the feature at go.aisc.org/npr-fika

Interested in joining NSBA during our next bridge build with Fika? Learn how to get involved at aisc.org/fika.

A charity built 96 bridges to connect communities separated by rivers and gorges. A new study looks at the life-changing impact of a concrete-and-steel pedestrian crossing.

09/02/2026

In recognition of Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, we are addressing a unique challenge in the construction industry: mental health and su***de prevention.

Join us at noon Central on Wednesday, September 16, for an online conversation with Soledad Summer of Patriot Erectors and Brad Smith of Steelworks of The Carolinas Inc. Together, they will share actionable, field-tested approaches to help your organization build a culture where every worker feels supported, safe, and valued.

Register for free at aisc.org/workforcehub.

When you join the discussion, you'll be entered in a raffle for free registration to NASCC: The Steel Conference, April 14–16 in Denver! The 2027 workforce development track will be packed with even more practical strategies you can bring right back to your shop.

09/02/2026

Class is in session! Consider this the latest addition to your reading list. 📚

The September issue of Modern Steel Construction is here, and it’s packed with projects worth digging into—from the design of Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium, where 25,000 tons of structural steel lean into the region’s notoriously snowy climate, to a curved steel canopy that became the star of an outdoor concert venue.

Plus, take a look at a steel-CLT hybrid design on Princeton University’s campus and more stories showcasing structural steel.

Read the whole thing for free at go.aisc.org/msc-sept26.

08/28/2026

What’s hanging in a newly expanded Nebraska convention center?

Multiple floors of event space, that’s what!

The expansion of CHI Health Center Omaha had an overriding design requirement to keep the ground level open so that the existing loading docks and truck access could remain and provide adequate air circulation for vehicle emissions. Steel framing made it possible with a practical and creative solution: a suspended design in which large roof trusses support the floors below.

Read more about the project at go.aisc.org/hanging-iron, and then see how fast you can put it together with our puzzle of the week at aisc.org/puzzles!

08/26/2026

Purdue University is building the country’s first academic program focused specifically on bridge engineering, with undergraduate and graduate courses already underway.

The program brings bridge-specific design, analysis, fatigue, inspection, and maintenance into the classroom while connecting students with the tools and real-world challenges they'll encounter in practice.

With support from AISC and the National Steel Bridge Alliance, the program is helping lay the foundation for the next generation of bridge engineers—and strengthening the industry's capacity to care for the nation's infrastructure.

Read more about Purdue's innovative approach and what's next for bridge engineering education at go.aisc.org/mscpurdue.

All photos courtesy of Purdue University.

08/25/2026

Last week, Geiger & Peters, Inc. welcomed a full group of general contractors for a day focused on strengthening steel knowledge and building better connections between GCs and the structural steel industry.

Participants got an up-close look at the fabrication process while diving into practical topics that can help project engineers and project managers better understand structural steel, from design and preconstruction through fabrication and er****on.

The GC Accelerator Bootcamp continues to grow, and we're excited to keep bringing these opportunities to general contractors across the country. Keep up with the latest events and resources for GCs at aisc.org/gc.

Thank you to Pepper Construction Group, Skender, Meyer Najem, Messer Construction Co., and Shiel Sexton Company for your attendance and AGC of Indiana for your commitment to steel education.

08/25/2026

Here’s an opportunity to bring the structural steel industry to your campus!

The AISC Education Foundation’s Campus Connection Grants provide funding for universities to host in-person guest lecturers from the industry. These engagements help students explore careers, learn about the latest innovations, and connect with industry leaders—all without requiring faculty to build the program from scratch.

Whether it's a graduate seminar, steel design class, or student organization meeting, a guest speaker can bring a valuable real-world perspective into the classroom.

Start planning a memorable lecture today at aisc.org/campusconnection.

08/24/2026

ONE WEEK LEFT! What have you worked on recently that’s pushed the structural steel industry forward? Or do you have something on the boards now that will?

Whether you fabricate, build, or design with structural steel, we want to share your innovations with the world! Enter your project (or game-changing concept) for a 2027 IDEAS Award. Categories include excellence in adaptive reuse, architecture, constructability, engineering, and sustainability.

Visit aisc.org/ideas to start your free entry or get inspired! Anyone on a project team may enter. Submissions are due August 31!