Agenda

RECEPTION (MONDAY) : OCTOBER 17, 2022
5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
EVENING RECEPTION
EVENING RECEPTION & REGISTRATION

This is the first opportunity to network with new industry partner providers and new and existing contacts with industry professionals. Join us in the St. Croix Room

Generously sponsored by SME

Thanks To Tiffany Vorhies and Ali Corbett

Generously sponsored by D.S. Brown

Thanks to Chris Youngless

Generously Sponsored by Bureau Veritas

Thanks to Ray Momsen and Roberta Luba

DAY 1 (TUESDAY) : OCTOBER 18, 2022
7:00 - 8:00
Breakfast
BREAKFAST & REGISTRATION

Continental breakfast will be available in the main meeting area for all attendees

7:45 - 8:15
OPENING REMARKS
WELCOME FROM IOWA DOT KYLE FRAME and SSAB
  • A special welcome to Iowa from Kyle, Structures Group Manager for Iowa DOT.
  • Also a welcome to Iowa from our gracious gold meeting sponsor
8:15 - 5:45
Design Group
Design Group Meetings - DOT Engineers only

The Design Group consists of bridge engineers from each state DOT. Planned and led by your group leader Mike Nop the Iowa Design Representative and Bridge Project Development Engineer for Iowa DOT. Please submit your discussion questions to Mike and be sure to provide your answers back to him when you receive the complied listing. Michael.Nop@iowadot.us

Download the Agenda below

  • Note: Design participants must register for the conference to attend.
  • Note: Design participants must register for the mill tour on Wednesday if you would like t to attend.
8:15-8:45
Presentation
IA141 Flyover Bridge

The I-80/I-35 to IA 141 flyover bridge is the cornerstone element to resolving congestion and safety challenges at the convergence of I-80 and I-35 with Iowa Highway 141 (locally known as Rider Corner and now known as the Urban Loop) in the Cities of Urbandale and Grimes in the northwestern Des Moines metro area.

Traffic often backed up onto the Interstate, resulting in delays, congestion, and crashes. The planning and design of the flyover bridge and adjacent interchanges addressed several corridor constraints while allowing improved access that supports and promotes economic development.

The focus of this presentation is the design and construction constraints and challenges for the Urban Loop Corridor and Flyover Bridge. 

Stanley T. Stallsmith, PE, HR Green

Stan earned his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University and has over thirty-five years of experience specializing in structural engineering for transportation projects.  He is a Senior Engineer and leads the Transportation Structural Group in HR Green’s Des Moines office.  Stan was the Project Manager for the Urban Loop Flyover Bridge Project.

8:45 - 9:15
Cobot Automation
Cobot Automation - collaborative robots - applicable to bridge fabrication?

Nolan Lai, Director of Cobot Automation at Lincoln Electric will introduce us to the concepts and comment of the application for bridge fabrication.

The appeal of a cobot cell is the relatively low entry threshold. The investment is lower than in a robot cell. A cobot is ideal for gaining experience in automation. Programming experience is not required. This makes a cobot extremely suitable for companies with in-house knowledge of automation. Briefly, some selected differences between a traditional industrial cell and a cobot cell:

  • Periodic, repeatable tasks vs Frequent task change
  • On-line and off-line programming vs Online instructed, supported by offline methods
  • Not easy to teach vs easy to teach
  • Separated workspace vs Shared workspace
  • Profit only with medium to large lot size vs Profit with a small lot size
  • Unsafe interaction vs Safe interaction with humans
  • 6 axis vs 6 and 7 axis
9:15 - 9:45
NSBA Update
NSBA UPDATE

NSBA's Chris Garrell and Tony Peterson will present an update to NSBA's services and some current projects.

9:45 - 10:00
NCSC WEBSITE
NSCS Website and year-round activities

DOTQS will give a quick electronic tour of the current website and a discussion board for sharing information and posing questions of interest to the work of the region. There may be additional next steps on what we can accomplish with this tool.

10:10-10:30
MORNING BREAK
MORNING BREAK

Generously Sponsored by Pennoni Associates.

Thanks to Daniel DeMaria

Generously Sponsored by  AISC

Thanks to Todd Alwood

Generously Sponsored by the International Zinc Association

Thanks to Kevin Irving

Generously Sponsored by Valmont

Thanks to Bill Clark

Generously Sponsored by GPI

Thanks to Sarah Olthof

SPECIAL THANKS to GPI FOR SUPPLYING NAME TAGS

10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
LIFE LESSONS AND DESIGN DESIGN OF WELDED CONNECTIONS - TWO IN ONE!

Special Guest Duane Miller
"Important lessons I've learned over the past 44 Years” Duane Miller

In 2018, Duane K. Miller was awarded the first Steel Conference Speaker Award, recognizing years of outstanding presentations made at the annual Steel Conference sponsored by AISC. For that event, he presented a similarly titled lecture, reviewing ten lessons others taught him over his career at Lincoln Electric: five engineering-related principles dealing with the design of welded connections, and five additional principles that can be generally ground as “life lessons”. Included are lessons on leadership, mentoring and sales.

After a 44 year career with Lincoln Electric, Duane established an engineering consulting company called “Listen to the Steel”.

12:00-1:00
Lunch Break
LUNCH

Gold Level Sponsored by HRV!

Thanks to Betsy Wehner

HRV will do a special introductory remarks before lunch.

1:10 - 1:30
Innovation at Iowa DOT
Innovation in Iowa’s Bridge Program

Iowa's Bridge Engineer Jim Nelson will introduce us to the State's bridge program and highlight some innovations the State has applied to recent projects

1:30-2:00
HDG Specification for Bridges
The new AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration S8.3-2022 Hot Dip Galvanizing specification
  • Jon will cover some significant differences between ASTM A123 galvanizing specification commonly prescribed for structural steel and the S8.3 Specification. This brief session will focus on criteria added to A123, better ensuring DOTs receive the corrosion protection they expect. Most DOTs require the HDG process for either large or small steel transportation products. Understanding how to require this specification and monitor its application can improve accountability of the contractor and subcontractors.
  • Jon Edwards is the Technical Director for DOTQS with over 40 years of experience in design, fabrication and repair of bridges. He was the ILDOT representative during the formation of the North Central States Committee on Welding. Jon provides engineering and administrative oversight for quality assurance and employee development in steel, aluminum and prestressed concrete design and fabrication, and occasionally reviews constructability and serviceability issues.
2:00 - 2:30
Bridge Preservation - Protective Coatings
Protective Coatings for Bridge Preservation
    • This presentation will cover a high-level overview of Evaluation, Design (Specification), Inspection, and Maintenance and talk a little about the new coatings organization AMPP (Association for Material Protection & Performance) formerly SSPC and NACE.
      • Tony Serdenes is the Corrosion Protection Pursuits Leader for GPI. He provides support for GPI's corrosion protection services across the country. He is an AMPP Protective Coatings Specialist, Senior Certified Coatings Inspector, Bridge Coatings Inspector Level I, and C-3 Lead Paint Removal certificated with over 35 years of experience in the bridge coatings industry. He currently serves as the Chair of AMPP’s Technical Committee for Transportation. He also serves on two standard committees (Accreditation and Coatings System Application, Maintenance, and Inspection) and the Certification Program Committee.  He has worked with the Federal Highway Administration on training and presented the topic of Preservation through Coatings to multiple DOTs.
    •  
2:30 - 3:00
What to prepare for in working with T-1 Steel
T-1 Steel

T-1 steel may have come up in discussions lately. This presentation will review what this material is, the issues in fabrication and design and where to focuss inspections. Cost expectations will also be discussed

Presented by Todd Niemann, Principal Engineer and Manager Twin Cities office for Fickett Structural Solutions

Todd's other accomplishments include:

  • AWS D1 Main Committee - Current Chairman
  • AASHTO/AWS D1.5 Bridge Welding Code Committee - Past Chairman
  • AASHTO T-17 Technical Committee for Welding
  • Former Structural Metals Engineer, MNDOT
  • B.S. - Welding Engineering
  • Professional Engineer, Metallurgical Engineering
3:00 - 3:25
Presentation
Duplex Coating - Liquid Coatings over Metallizing for Enhanced Service Life of Bridges

The use of metalizing and zinc-rich liquid coatings on steel bridges is increasing.

A review of the appropriate preparation and application techniques for the use of liquid applied zinc coatings on top of metallic thermal zinc coatings as a ‘Duplex’ coating system will increase your confidence for your next project.

By utilizing this system, no steel bridge should ever require re-blasting during its 100 years, or longer life cycle. Possibly the Optimum Coating System for Steel Bridges.

Kevin Irving of the International Zinc Association is presenting

3:25 - 4:00
Afternoon Break
Afternoon Break

Generously Sponsored by AISC

Thanks to Todd Alwood

Generously Sponsored by Fickett Structural Solutions

Thanks to Andy Fickett and Todd Niemann

Generously Sponsored by Bureau Veritas

Thanks to Ray Momsen and Roberta Luba

4:00-4:25
Robotic Inspection
Robotic Inspection Techniques and Application

Ray Momsen, Vice President of Bureau Veritas, will give a presentation on the capabilities of the company’s Robotic Inspection Systems for the inspection of Bridge and Infrastructure components.  The presentation will include an overview of the robotic inspection of bridge stay cables, suspension cables, and external post tension cables in segmental concrete bridges and pier columns along with bridge deck scanning, and high mast light pole inspection capabilities.  These robotic systems provide inspection data utilizing Close Visual Inspection (CVI), Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL), laser measurement tools, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies.  Mr. Momsen is an ASNT Level III with over 40 years of experience. 

4:30 - 4:45
Anchor Bolt re-Tightening Study
Retightening anchor bolts of support structures for sign and luminaires

In 2015, MnDOT experienced loose nuts for signs, luminaries, and traffic signals despite following AASHTO anchor rod tightening requirements. Iowa State University conducted three research projects “Retightening anchor bolts of support structures for sign and luminaires”, in Phases I and II and Implementations, from 2016 to 2021. Total cost was $445,000.

Key findings were: In-place structures were either overtightened or under-tightened. Adequate lubrications at the right place are crucial. Turn-of-nut methods are hard to predict and control. Prefer required tightening torques for all current anchor rod types used in MNDOT. Current required pretension in AASHTO specifications, based on rod yielding strength Fy, not Fu, provides adequate function in load path. Anchor rods installed with newly developed tightening procedures have not had loose nuts or pretension loss in rods since 2017.

Key proposals and comments to 2022 proposed AASHTO items are: Use Fy, not Fu, in calculating pretension force; add notes in lubrication at faying surface between washer and the nut and not lubricate the leveling nuts and washer; use torque numbers for the tightening and the turns of nuts as references; add star tightening patterns; define the snug-tight values; and change the waiting time to apply and value for verification torque.

Yuying Hu (Betty), P.E., Ph.D.

Assistant Fabrication Methods Engineer, MnDOT Bridge Office

4:45 - 5:15
Making Steel
An Introduction to Steelmaking and Steel Plate Production for the Bridge Industry

Dave Stoddard, Sr. Steel Applications Engineer, SSAB Americas Steel Plate Mill will provide a comparison between the integrated steelmaking methods converting iron ore to steel and the electric arc furnace process recycling scarp into new steel, as well as new direct iron reduction technology that can significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of iron ore based steel production. The presentation will then discuss the casting and rolling processes converting liquid steel into the plate and structural shapes used in bridge fabrication and construction. Also covered will be governmental and steel industry initiatives to reduce GHG. Finally, the determination of a steel mill’s bridge plate capabilities, how a bridge plate order happens, and a summary of U.S. plate and structural mills will be reviewed.

Directions on when to arrive at the Mill will be discussed. We will stager arrival to keep the flow organized.

5:15 - 5:45
Future Work!
States Future Lettings

Each state representative will share information on future bridge projects planned.

5:30
End of Scheduled Day
Evening on your own

Reconnect with new contacts over dinner or cocktails or ask more about what you heard today, or relax and get to know attendees in a comfortable environment.

5:45 or end of day
NCSC State Representatives Meeting

This is an invitation-only meeting. Representatives will meet to discuss opportunities to make NCSC grow and be a greater resource for the Bridge Engineers and Technicians of the member states year-round.

DAY 3(WEDNESDAY) : OCTOBER 19, 2022
Before the SITE TOUR
Available from 6:00 - 7:30am
Continental Breakfast -"grab and go"

Breakfast sandwiches and beverages packaged to travel  will be available on Wednesday morning. Plan to eat it on the way or early before you depart.  Breakfast will be available at 6:00 am. It will be located in the St. Croix room where the reception was held on Monday night.

Generously sponsored by KTA Tator

Thanks to Cindy Rice and Jamie Hilton!

 

1770 Bill Sharp Blvd Muscatine, IA 52761
SITE TOUR
MILL TOUR

The SSAB Iowa mill tour will be approximately two hours and will follow the steel production process from the meltshop, through the continuous casting, slab reheating, rolling, finishing, and shipping operations.

If you are driving, please depart the hotel to arrive, park and be ready for a safety orientation at 8:00 am.

Details for those who will be transported will be shared later at the meeting.