NASCC: The Steel Conference concludes in Phoenix

The American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) annual NASCC: The Steel Conference wrapped up last week in Phoenix. Held in the recently completed and LEED certified, Phoenix Civic Plaza and Convention Center, the organization experienced a record turn out from 223 exhibitors and hosted more than 3,100 attendees.

The opening keynote—moderated by AISC’s Vice President and Chief Structural Engineer Charlie Carter, P.E., S.E.—pitted D. Kirk Harman, P.E., against Glenn Bishop, P.E., to debate the merits of proposed changes to the AISC Code of Standard Practice Section 3.1.2. This proposal would incorporate an option for the structural engineer to delegate connection design. While this hotly-contested topic is not a new one, there is still vigorous support for each side. The proposed changes are still being finalized; if you want to learn more, visit www.aisc.org.

The AISC announced their plans for Steel Day 2009 on September 18. The intent for the program is to provide a new opportunity for networking among members of the design, construction and structural steel industry nationwide. Organizers are planning an interactive day with the structural steel industry. Steel fabricators, mills, service centers and others in the industry will open their facilities, jobsites, and offices, offering tours and inviting the AEC community and general public to see how we contribute to building America. Learn more at www.steelday.org.

AISC also presented numerous individual and IDEAS2 project awards including the J. Lloyd Kimbrough Award to Larry Griffis of Walter P Moore. The much-anticipated conference dinner—sponsored by Nucor—included a rodeo at the Corona Hacienda.

Scheduled for May 12-15, 2010, NASCC: The Steel Conference will be co-located with the ASCE/Structural Engineering Institute’s Structures Congress in Orlando, Fla. Visit www.aisc.org/nascc for more information.