The global cold-formed steel (CFS) community is mourning the loss of Dr. Wei-Wen Yu, a pioneering researcher, educator and author whose work helped define the modern practice of cold-formed steel design. Yu died June 2, 2026, at age 102.
Featured image above: Dr. Wei-Wen Yu, P.E., receives the Award of Appreciation from the American Iron and Steel Institute. Yu’s research, publications and industry leadership helped shape modern cold-formed steel design.
During a career spanning more than six decades, he became one of the most influential figures in the history of cold-formed steel engineering. His research, publications, standards work and mentorship touched virtually every corner of the industry.
Roger A. LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E., professor emeritus at Missouri University of Science and Technology and Yu’s longtime colleague, said Yu shaped not only the field of cold-formed steel engineering but also the careers of countless students and researchers.
“As a Ph.D. student, he made me feel my input was meaningful,” LaBoube said. “We had weekly research meetings in his office. He made us both a cup of tea and we discussed the cold-formed steel research. What a treat — both the tea and the discussion.”
Dr. Wei-Wen Yu, P.E., center, stands with longtime colleague Dr. Roger LaBoube, P.E., of Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Yu’s memorial service and funeral brought together family, friends and leaders from the cold-formed steel industry. Attendees included LaBoube; Don Allen, executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA); and Cheng Yu, Ph.D., a professor and researcher at the University of North Texas. Following the services, mourners gathered at the Dr. Wei-Wen and Yueh-Hsin Yu Knowledge Center to celebrate Yu’s life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Wei-Wen Yu Graduate Fellowship at Missouri University of Science and Technology, which supports future generations of engineering students
Cold-Formed Steel Design
Dr. Wei-Wen Yu was born in Shandong, China in 1923. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from National Taiwan University and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Oklahoma State University before completing a doctorate in structural engineering at Cornell University in 1960 under the supervision of Dr. George Winter. He later worked for the American Iron and Steel Institute and TRW Systems before beginning his academic career.
In 1968, Yu joined the faculty of what is now Missouri University of Science and Technology. His career included more than 100 technical publications related to cold-formed steel structures and extensive contributions to research, education and industry standards.
For many engineers, Yu’s name is synonymous with the textbook Cold-Formed Steel Design, co-authored with LaBoube and Helen Chen. First published decades ago and now in its fifth edition, the book remains one of the industry’s most widely used technical references. Generations of engineers learned the fundamentals of CFS design from its pages.
Throughout his career at Missouri S&T, Yu received numerous honors, including becoming the first engineering faculty member named a Curators’ Distinguished Professor. Missouri S&T included Yu among the 150 most influential individuals in its history.
Dr. Wei-Wen Yu published this groundbreaking textbook on cold-formed steel (CFS) design
Yu’s influence extended well beyond academia. He was a longtime contributor to the American Iron and Steel Institute’s Committee on Specifications, where he helped shape many of the design provisions that guide the industry today. He served on the committee for approximately 50 years before retiring from active participation in 2010.
Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures
In 1990, Yu founded the Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures under the sponsorship of the AISI and Missouri S&T. The center promoted research, engineering education, technical services and professional activities related to cold-formed steel construction. To honor his contributions, Missouri S&T renamed the center the Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures in 2000.
Perhaps one of Yu’s most enduring contributions was the International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures. The conference, first held in 1971, became one of the world’s premier forums for presenting and discussing new research in cold-formed steel engineering. More than five decades later, the conference continues to bring together researchers, educators and practitioners from around the world.
This legacy will continue later this year when the 25th Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures convenes October 6-7 in Madison, Wisconsin. The event bears his name and remains a testament to the global community he helped build.
Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures
October 6-7, 2026
The University of Wisconsin’s Memorial Union
Madison, WisconsinThe 25th Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures brings together scientists, researchers, educators and engineers from around the world engaged in cold-formed steel (CFS) structures research, design and construction.
Colleagues Reflect on Yu’s Accomplishments
As news of Yu’s passing spread through the industry, colleagues reflected on both his technical accomplishments and his character.
“Dr. Yu was truly an icon in our industry and shared his knowledge and love of science with humility, grace and compassion,” said Don Allen, SFIA executive director.
Reinhold Schuster, professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo in Canada and a longtime industry leader, said Yu’s influence can be seen throughout the cold-formed steel profession.
“He has contributed immensely to the field of cold-formed steel design during his active years, not only by his research, but also with the numerous Specialty Conferences and textbook that he and Roger created,” Schuster said. “Even to date, their textbook Cold-Formed Steel Design is one of the leading such books in the world when studying CFS design in great depth.”
For many researchers and engineers, Yu’s impact was deeply personal.
Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute at Johns Hopkins University, compared Yu’s role in the profession to that of a family patriarch.
“When it comes to cold-formed steel, Wei-Wen for many of us was really ‘our dad’ too,” Schafer said. “I cherish several pictures I have of Wei-Wen and different generations of cold-formed steel researchers. His mark on all of us runs deep.”
Colleagues remember the pioneering engineer, Wei-Wen Yu, not only for his technical contributions, but also for the warmth, kindness and humility that made others feel valued.
Dr. Wei-Wen Yu, center, with his daughter, Dorothy, left, and Dr. Joel Burken, Curators’ Distinguished Professor and chair of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Missouri S&T. Photo courtesy of Joel Burken.
Humility, Kindness and Grace
Others pointed to the combination of technical excellence and personal warmth that defined Yu’s legacy.
“Prof. Wei-Wen Yu was an exceptional human being, both professionally and personally,” wrote noted researcher Dinar Camotim. “He will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.”
Camotim recalled Yu’s ability to make others feel valued.
“His permanent smile and the kindness and warmth of his attitude toward whoever stood in front of him made them invariably feel very important and special,” he said.
His Influence on CFS Engineering Remains
The scale of Yu’s accomplishments is difficult to summarize. And this captures the challenge facing the cold-formed steel industry this week. Few individuals have had a greater influence on the development of the engineering discipline for CFS framing systems.
Yu shaped modern cold-formed steel design through his research, textbooks, standards work, conferences and mentorship.
His passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of cold-formed steel engineering. His influence, however, will remain visible in classrooms, design offices, research laboratories and construction projects for generations to come.
Dr. Wei-Wen Yu, right, stands with longtime colleague Dr. Delbert Day at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Additional Resources
- Registration Open for the Wei-Wen Yu Cold-Formed Steel Specialty Conference (Oct. 6-7, 2026)
- Author of ‘Cold-Formed Steel Design’ and Founder of CCFSS Turns 100
- Steel Industry Celebrates the Legacy CCFSS and Transitions to the Future