U.S. structural steel industry celebrates 10th annual SteelDay

Chicago — SteelDay, marking its 10th anniversary on Friday, Sept. 28, provides an opportunity to gain insight into the value and expertise the U.S. structural steel industry brings to the nation’s building and bridge projects.

Accoding to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), here are plenty of ways to participate:

• visit a steel fabricator, mill or job site and see the industry in action;
• experience unique networking opportunities with other industry and design partners;
• attend AISC’s free webinar, Birth of the Steel Skyscraper, to learn about steel’s role in the evolution of structural engineering innovation and earn 1.0 PDH;
• watch an exclusive pre-screening of the documentary film, Leaning Out, the story of the acclaimed structural engineer Leslie E. Robertson, and earn 1.0 PDH; and
• in honor of the 10th SteelDay, get 10 percent off everything in the AISC bookstore (Sept. 28-Oct. 1) at aisc.org/publications.

Find local events at www.aisc.org/steelday.

For the past decade, AISC and its members and partners have teamed up to host events across the country, from education via presentations and webinars to a behind-the-scenes look into the industry with steel facility tours to witnessing it all come together at project site visits. Thousands of attendees — engineers, general contractors, owners, developers, other construction industry personnel, students, educators and even the general public — now have a better picture of how steel works and how it ties into our economy, as well as how to get the best out of it in projects.

“If you’ve never attended a SteelDay event, then you’re missing out on all of the innovative and practical aspects of steel construction,” said past attendee Greg Adams of Kimley-Horn and Associates. “Plus, it’s a lot of fun!”

AISC’s free lunchtime webinar, Birth of the Steel Skyscraper, presented by Benjamin W. Schafer, a professor at John Hopkins University, will present the history and context that led to the birth of the steel “skeletal” skyscraper in late 19th century Chicago. The tenets of “structural art” will be introduced and mapped against the skyscraper and its evolution. The presentation will also cover conditions that give rise to innovation in structures, the role of engineering in skyscraper innovation and the solutions that rise to the highest level of engineering success. The lesser-known role of engineer John Wellborn Root in the First Chicago School of architecture and skyscrapers will also be highlighted. Using these early structures for context, comments on more recent steel skyscrapers will briefly be explored as time allows. Taken together you’ll gain a better understanding of the history of steel solutions for buildings.

The exclusive pre-screening of the documentary film, Leaning Out, the story of the acclaimed structural engineer Leslie E. Robertson, will be offered the week of SteelDay on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Told by the guru of high-rise structural design himself and those closest to him — with voices of visionary architects and engineering experts — the film recounts Robertson’s storied career pioneering tall landmark structures, including New York’s World Trade Center, and highlights his unique perspective on innovative uses of steel and wind engineering.

For more on these events and others taking place across the country on or around Friday, Sept. 28, visit www.aisc.org/steelday.