Steel Educators' Tip Sheet

September 2012

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  Try these teaching aids ...

SLIDE SETS: Teaching Aids for Structural Steel Design Courses
This series of slide sets can be used for instruction on beams, compression members, tension members, and combined forces. Pick and choose slides to incorporate into your lectures. Note that slides are divided in the "theory" and "manual" sections; the "manual" sections have been updated to the 14th edition Steel Construction Manual.
Download the PowerPoint slides >>

HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION: Paper Column
A quick, simple demonstration of local buckling of compression members. Students use paper, cardstock, tape, and their AISC manuals to explore effects of different b/t ratios.
Get instructions for this hands-on demonstration (works with 14th edition manual) >>

VIDEO: The Behavior of Columns
The video demonstrates the major physical phenomena that are involved in the response of steel columns to loading.
View this video online >>

Download the AISC Web-Enhanced Teaching (WET) files>>

What's new on AISC Podcasts?

This past month's podcast features Dr. John Barsom. Listen and learn about his time as Director of Materials Technology at U.S. Steel Research Laboratory and his significant contributions to the field.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, or listen online or download from the AISC Podcasts website.
2013 National Student Steel Bridge Competition

Get ready for the 2013 NSSBC in the Emerald City.

The 2013 NSSBC will be held on May 31-June 1, 2013 at the University of Washington. Visit www.aisc.org/steelbridge for more information on the 2013 competition and to download the new set of rules!
Student Photo Contest

Encourage your students to enter! Deadline is September 22!

AISC continues to accept entries for the Student Photo Contest. Students can enter through Saturday, September 22, and the winners will be announced on SteelDay, Friday, September 28. Go to www.aisc.org/studentphotocontest to learn more.
Interact. Learn. Build. SteelDay2012 is just around the corner.

How do you plan to celebrate SteelDay?

The industry’s largest educational and networking event returns for a fourth successive year on September 28, 2012. Over 150 free events are scheduled across the country. Visit www.steelday.org and sign up to attend an event near you!
Steel Bridge Design Teaching Aids Available

Did you know that there are several excellent resources available to help teach steel bridge design?

NSBA’s complimentary Steel Bridge Suite is a collection of steel bridge software and reference documents for academics and designers and includes LRFD SIMON (plate girder design software) and NSBA Bridge Splice (splice design software). Register for your free download by visiting www.steelbridges.org/softwareregistration.

Through the partnership of AASHTO and the National Steel Bridge Alliance comes a special academic “readers digest” version of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification for use in teaching steel bridge design. This new publication has been updated to the latest 6th Edition of the specification and can be purchased by students and faculty online for $40 at https://bookstore.transportation.org/item_details.aspx?ID=2023.
Details from the (Slab) Edge
Use SteelWise articles to brush up on your (and your students') steel know-how.

The SteelWise feature in Modern Steel Construction provides practical knowledge on a number of topics, ranging from stability analysis, to how choice of corrosion protection affects connection design, to practical considerations for expansion joints in buildings.

Last month's SteelWise installment outlines considerations for designing and detailing the slab edge to support the facade. The article is based on the AISC Steel Design Guide 22, Facade Attachments to Steel Framed Buildings , and provides tips for efficient and economical details.

Questions or comments on this Tip Sheet? E-mail strsteel@ecn.purdue.edu Judy Liu, Purdue University

September 2012 Steel Educators' Tip Sheet Tools and Tips