This year's third annual SteelDay is expected to be celebrated at more than 200 event locations all over the country. Taking place on September 23, 2011 and hosted by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), its members and partners, SteelDay is a national event featuring free networking and educational opportunities for the design and construction community.
Guests can find and register for an event in their area at www.SteelDay.org.
SteelDay events range from tours of steel facilities and job sites, educational presentations, and interactive learning events showing how the U.S. structural steel industry works together to build high-performance and sustainable projects. It allows architects, engineers, contractors, owners, students and others to see the industry's latest technologies and innovations in action and learn directly from industry experts who are opening the doors to their facilities.
"In just three years, SteelDay has solidified its place on everyone's calendar," commented Chris Moor, AISC director of industry initiatives. "The lure of witnessing the day to day capability of the steel industry seems to provoke an increasing curiosity from the construction industry. It's a great opportunity for architects, engineers, contractors and others to see some amazing machinery and technology, network and ask questions without having to go very far and without having to spend any money - crucial in these times."
Here is what you can expect to see at some of this year's events:
- Steel Making and Recycling: Visit a steel mill and discover the amazing capability of these huge scrap metal recycling and steel production facilities.
- HSS Producers: See the incredible machinery and processes used to manufacture hollow structural sections (HSS) out of steel coil and learn about the differences between HSS and TS (tube shape) or HSS and pipe.
- Steel Service Centers: Learn how and why steel is always available by visiting a steel service center.
- Steel Fabrication: Witness the heart of the structural steel supply chain by visiting a steel fabricator and learn how off-site, controlled conditions and advanced computer-controlled (CNC) machinery ensure a consistently high-quality product and reduce or eliminate errors at the job site.
- Steel Installation: Installation of a steel frame is rapid, economical, and safe. Learn about the steel assembly process and in some event locations even try out the specialized equipment ironworkers use.
This year's SteelDay also offers special events in major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and others. For example, in NYC, AISC is hosting an event at McGraw-Hill headquarters in Midtown Manhattan. It includes a networking lunch followed by a panel discussion on award-winning steel-framed buildings in NYC - all recent recipients of AISC's prestigious IDEAS2 Award.
Industry experts will share their views on trends and issues shaping New York's building construction scene now and in the future. Afterwards, guests will take a site tour of the nearby International Gem Tower project currently under construction.
In downtown Chicago, AISC invites industry professionals to attend a special networking lunch and educational event at the Thompson Center Plaza. Guests will have the opportunity to meet new Chicago Building Commissioner Michael Merchant, explore a pictorial display tracking the history of steel framed construction and take a self-guided tour of famous steel buildings in Chicago.
AISC Vice President John Cross will also present on the role of structural steel in the growth of Chicago and the nation. On September 22, the evening prior to SteelDay, AISC welcomes local structural engineers into its headquarters to meet with staff and attend a special continuing education seminar by AISC Vice President Charlie Carter, P.E., S.E., Ph.D. Carter will present on the great structural engineering insights of the late Kurt Gustafson. Following a nearly four-decade career as a respected structural engineer, Gustafson spent seven years as AISC's Director of Technical Assistance before passing away in 2010.
In the Washington D.C. area, AISC, the National Steel Bridge Alliance and the Ironworkers Union/I.M.P.A.C.T. are hosting an event where student teams from local universities that participated in the 2011 AISC/ASCE Student Steel Bridge Competition will assemble their bridge entries for guests to see. Attendees will also learn what it takes to be an ironworker by participating in hands-on activities such as welding, bolting, and climbing columns.
For an up-to-date event roster and to find out what's going on in your vicinity, visit www.SteelDay.org. BD+C
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