AISI to co-sponsor II International Student Competition on cold formed steel design

WASHINGTON (Scrap Monster):  The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) announced that it is co-sponsoring the second International Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design, along with the National Science Foundation (NSF), Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), and the University of North Texas.

The competition is open to all full-time students at either the undergraduate or graduate levels who are interested in cold-formed steel design, creative in problem solving, and eager to learn new technologies. The competition was launched on March 12 and will conclude on June 30, 2012.

“Like last year’s event, the competition will challenge students to use their creative thinking skills to solve engineering problems,” Jay Larson, P.E., F. ASCE, managing director of AISI’s Construction Technical Program, said. “However, this year the stakes are higher, with more challenges being offered that merit greater rewards. The problem involves the design of an open section shape for a cold-formed steel truss member. Last year, we were impressed with the quality of solutions that were submitted, and we’re looking forward to seeing this year’s results.”

Hosted by the University of North Texas, the 2012 International Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design requires that students work on the problem individually, with no team solutions being accepted. Participants can view the problem and contest rules at:http://www.etec.unt.edu/public/cyu/CFS_Competition.htm.

Each participant is required to submit a completed information form (available at the website address), design essay, and CUFSM result file. (CUFSM is software that employs the finite strip method to provide solutions for the cross-section stability of thin-walled cold-formed steel members). Three winners will be selected, and each will be recognized with a plaque and monetary award. Additionally, the top ten students will receive a one-year CFSEI student membership. Winners will be announced in September 2012.

The winners will be selected by a panel of judges who are nationally recognized in the area of cold-formed steel design:
• Cheng Yu, Ph.D., associate professor and organizer of the 2012 International Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design, University of North Texas
• Rick Haws, P.E., technical services manager, NUCONSTEEL, A Nucor Company
• Roger A. LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E., Distinguished Teaching Professor, Missouri University of Science and Technology
• Cristopher Moen, Ph.D., P.E, assistant professor, Virginia Tech
• Sutton Stephens, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., associate professor, Kansas State University