Twenty-seven students from Teaching Professor Steve Welton’s steel design and senior design classes, alongside members of the NC State student chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), traveled to Gerdau Steel Mill in Petersburg, Virginia, to learn about the steel industry and to see firsthand the process whereby steel is recycled and reshaped for reuse. American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) provided funds to help cover the transportation costs associated with the trip.

After the students were briefed at a safety meeting, they were given a tour of the mill, where they learned about the processes and functions of various equipment. They had the opportunity to see how recycled steel scrap was melted down, formed, shaped, rolled and straightened to become a new product. After the tour, Gerdau provided lunch to the students and a technical perspective on the processes that had been observed.

“Everyone at the mill was very informative and invited questions from the students,” Welton said. “The students really appreciated the incredible experience provided by everyone with Gerdau Mill and the support of AISC.”