May 13 Webinar | Escape the Pen Weld: Alternatives to CJP Welds for HSS

Description

2026 Mastering HSS Connections Series
Title: Escape the Pen Weld: Alternatives to CJP Welds for HSS
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CT
Format: Live Webinar
Level: Intermediate, Technical, Engineer, Fabricator

HSS connection designers may become trapped in the rote behavior of specifying full-pen CJP welds even though there are a variety of other options available. Because the fabrication and construction processes for HSS are quite different than those employed for open sections, it can be more efficient to look at alternative solutions such as fillet welds, PJP welds, and robotic advancements. Join us for an overview of available HSS weld types, an in-depth discussion of PJP weld and CJP weld updates, and an overview of recent AISC 360 Spec HSS weld updates. An example of a fillet-reinforced PJP weld will be presented.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how HSS shapes affect weld choices.
• Compare suitability of CJP vs PJP welds in HSS sections.
• Work through an example of an HSS member connection using a fillet-reinforced PJP weld.
• Review recent CJP weld inspection updates.

Speaker – Beth Suminski
Beth has worked for 25 years as a structural engineer in the fields of consulting engineering, software, and continuing education. During her first few years, her experiences in construction defect litigation cemented her understanding of how and how NOT to design a structure. She spent the following years as a practicing consulting engineer in San Diego, and later as a director of structural software sales and development with Bentley. In her current position with FORSE, she continues to pursue both the design and educational aspects of structural engineering. One topic Beth highlights is structural steel HSS design, as a technical consultant to the Steel Tube Institute. Beth is a licensed PE and SE in California and a licensed PE in Arkansas.

Professional Development Hours
Each participant can earn 1.0 PDH or 1.0 LU/HSW and receive a certificate of completion from the Steel Tube Institute (STI). To receive a certificate from STI, you must login to the webinar via your unique registration link, attend the webinar in its entirety, and complete both poll questions.

Any participant that holds a PE license in Florida, Maryland, New York and/or North Carolina is required to complete a quiz for your PDH. Architects must complete the quiz for their LU/HSW and send their AIA number to sfontaine@steeltubeinstitute.org to have attendance reported to AIA. The quiz widget is available along the bottom row of the ON24 dashboard.

Registration Types & Fees

• HSS Professional Member
  • Individual: Registration is free with your individual membership.
  • Group: Registration is free with your group membership.
• Non-Member
  • Individual: $95 for individual registration.
  • Group: Only available with an HSS Professional Group Membership.

Individual registration provides a unique link for one login and is eligible for one PDH certificate upon successfully completing the webinar requirements.

Group registration, only available for HSS Professional Group Members, allows multiple attendees to view the webinar in one room or multiple people from the same office to view individually.

• The office contact for the HSS Professional Group Membership will receive a separate email with instructions for group viewing. 
• If viewing in one room, multiple PDH certificates may be issued provided the poll questions are completed by the group leader during the webinar, the group completes quiz together immediately following the webinar, and the attendee list is submitted within 48 hours of the webinar conclusion. All attendees on the list must have attended the webinar for its entirety.
• To view individually, each person will need to register individually.

AIA CES Provider statement
The Steel Tube Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 50111160, expiration 12/31/2026. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.