This week’s news resources:

Central Texas Iron Works (CTIW) has established the Steel Industry West Relief Fund for victims of the plant explosion disaster in West, Texas. Modern Steel Construction has the details. 

Who will shape the future of AEC? Millennials. "For them, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the only way to design our future infrastructure as it can be understood by everybody involved, resulting in better decisions and better outcomes." Read more about how we’re passing the baton to millennials on The Nation. 

If you're afraid of heights, you may want to skip this video, but The New York Times has an incredible, high-speed look at the spire installation on 1 World Trade Center last week. 

The benefits of BIM don't stop when construction does. "Now that BIM is becoming a more routine tool in the design and construction process, building owners are looking for more ways to use it, which includes facility management." Area Development has the story. 

In case you missed our latest blog post:

Check out the Peddinghaus BDL-1250/9D, the latest model in the beam line series! 

The Peddinghaus BDL-1250/9D is the latest model in the beam line series, and Peddinghaus has uploaded a new video for you to see its capabilities.

This new model utilizes innovative technologies including high speed carbide drilling, increased clamping power, minimum quantity lubrication system, and much more. 

Read more and view the video here, then check out the Peddinghaus YouTube channel for more videos!

This week’s important resources:

Help shape the future of steel by entering AISC's first-ever Future of Steel competition! Entries are due on October 1 and will be posted on AISC's Facebook page. Modern Steel has the competition details. 

Check out these facts from the world's most amazing construction projects, including the most expensive, longest standing, and a few projects gone bad. See the infographic on Rock & Dirt. 

When the new portion of San Francisco's Bay Bridge opens this fall, it will be the world's longest self-anchored suspension bridge, at 2,047 feet. See why it's supposed to last 150 years, even with frequent earthquakes. Popular Mechanics has the story. 

The Western Hemisphere has a new tallest building! 1 World Trade Center's 758-ton spire was fully installed today in New York City. Read about it on Huffington Post. 

In case you missed our latest blog post:

Design Data partner AGA recently named the winners of its 2013 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards. Read more on our blog! 

Design Data development partner AGA holds the Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Awards each year to recognize the special skill and efforts of galvanizers, fabricators, architects, engineers, and contractors. From artful sculptures to sturdy bridges, these galvanized structures stand strong and corrosion-free all over the world. Award categories include Artistic, Bridge & Highway, Duplex Systems, Water & Marine, and many more.

You can view photos of all the amazing 2013 winning projects in AGA’s Facebook album, then learn more about each project on the website.

This week’s important resources:

Green building is growing worldwide. "By 2017, more than half the industry (51%) expects more than 60% of their work will be green building, a testament to the engagement of the industry." See more green building statistics on Engineering News-Record. 

USA Today compiled this great photo slideshow of the 10 longest bridges to drive across. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, for instance, is so long that for 8 of its 24 miles, you won't see land in any direction! 

Be proactive and embrace change in AEC. "The people who do their homework and gain the expertise that's necessary to compete in the new economy, and work hard at it, they're going to be the ones who are more successful when the construction industry takes off." Mainebiz has more of this construction lawyer’s advice. 

The Drawing Editor Update webinar will be held May 7 at 10:30 a.m. CDT. In this webinar, you'll learn about the many changes to increase productivity, including Material Callout tools and enhancements to symbols, that have been made to Drawing Editor in SDS/2 v7.3.

To register for this webinar, click here.

Formerly known as Hexagon 2013, HxGN LIVE offers new and exciting ways to experience what's unfolding in the world of design, measurement and visualisation technologies. HxGN LIVE, featuring Intergraph®, Hexagon Metrology and Leica Geosystems, offers an exciting line-up filled with informative sessions, must-see technologies, exclusive keynotes and unlimited networking. The event runs June 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

Design Data will be exhibiting in booth #311.

At the 2013 NASCC Conference — held April 17-19 in St. Louis, Missouri — a record number of structural engineers, detailers, erectors and fabricators saw the latest in SDS/2 and learned about the newest enhancements in the steel industry.

Design Data Conference Highlights
The array of SDS/2 software solutions, including SDS/2 Detailing, SDS/2 Engineering, SDS/2 Approval and SDS/2 Erector, were showcased in the Design Data booth. Popular in-booth demonstrations included status transfer to update model data, CNC scribing, bar coding, and SDS/2 Connect.

Design Data partner Get the Point (GTP) also had a presence in the SDS/2 booth; GTP runs on the Sokkia robot to push coordinate info to the field via the SDS/2 model.

Design Data's Doug Evans co-presented a session titled, "The True Benefit of BIM for the Structural Engineer and the Pivotal Role They Play in the BIM Process." Kevin Lea from CSC and Sean SSOE were also presenters at the session.

To view additional photos from the 2013 NASCC conference, click here.

Be sure to join Design Data at the 2014 NASCC Conference, which will be held March 26-29 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Mark V. Holland, P.E., chief engineer with Paxton & Vierling Steel Co., was recently named a recipient of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Special Achievement Award. This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated notable achievements in structural steel design, construction, research or education. It honors those who have made a positive and substantial impact on the structural steel design and construction industry.

Holland was lauded for his leadership in interoperability since the very beginning of AISC's effort in 1997. He has provided countless hours of volunteer work and leadership on CIS/2, EDI, and interoperability, and has brought attention to this crucial subject through his committee work and conference presentations. In addition, he and his firm have served as leaders in the practical implementation of BIM.

Holland is a longtime SDS/2 customer, vice president of the SDS/2 Users Group, Advisory Board member, and 2003 recipient of the Connectors Club award.