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
Related Stories
| Feb 17, 2012
Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification
Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.
| Feb 16, 2012
Summit Design + Build begins build-out for Emmi Solutions in Chicago
The new headquarters will total 20,455 sq. ft. and feature a loft-style space with exposed masonry and mechanical systems, 15 foot clear ceilings, two large rooftop skylights and private offices with full glass partition walls.
| Feb 16, 2012
Big-box retailers not just for DIYers
Nearly half of all contractor purchases made from stores like Home Depot and Lowe's.
| Feb 15, 2012
Code allowance offers retailers and commercial building owners increased energy savings and reduced construction costs
Specifying air curtains as energy-saving, cost-cutting alternatives to vestibules in 3,000-square-foot buildings and larger has been a recent trend among consulting engineers and architects.
| Feb 15, 2012
Englewood Construction announces new projects with Destination Maternity, American Girl
Englewood’s newest project for Wisconsin-based doll retailer American Girl, the company will combine four vacant storefronts into one large 15,000 square-foot retail space for American Girl.
| Feb 10, 2012
LAX Central Utility Plant project tops out
Construction workers placed the final structural steel beam atop the Plant, which was designed with strict seismic criteria to help protect the facility and airport utilities during an earthquake.
| Feb 2, 2012
Call for Entries: 2012 Building Team Awards. Deadline March 2, 2012
Winning projects will be featured in the May issue of BD+C.
| Feb 1, 2012
Replacement windows eliminate weak link in the building envelope
Replacement or retrofit can help keep energy costs from going out the window.
| Feb 1, 2012
Blackney Hayes designs school for students with learning differences
The 63,500 sf building allows AIM to consolidate its previous two locations under one roof, with room to expand in the future.
| Feb 1, 2012
Two new research buildings dedicated at the University of South Carolina
The two buildings add 208,000 square feet of collaborative research space to the campus.
