The Evolution of Structural Engineering: Tradition Meets Technology

The rapid evolution of structural engineering is a story of tradition meeting technology. To gain a deeper understanding of this transformation, we sat down with Igor Labzin, a seasoned engineer and a Robert Bird Group veteran of thirty years. He shared his insights on how the industry has adapted to the rise of powerful software and high-performance computing while maintaining a firm grasp on the fundamental principles that underpin safe and effective design.

“The practice of structural engineering has changed a great deal in the last thirty years, and the pace of the change appears to be accelerating.” – Igor Labzin

This acceleration is fuelled by the rise of increasingly sophisticated design software and the accessibility of cloud computing. Tasks that once took days or even weeks of laborious hand calculations, like moment distribution or truss analysis, can now be completed in a fraction of the time. Modern tools empower engineers to effortlessly adjust variables, explore multiple design iterations, and analyse complex structures with relative ease.

“No more tedious hand calculations that would take days to complete and then would have to be redone if the design had to be changed for some reason” – Igor Labzin

Balancing Technology and Engineering Principles

In the midst of a rapid technological revolution, it’s important to remember that software is just a tool and not a substitute for sound engineering practices. A firm grasp of the principles of physics and materials science remains as critical as ever, and over-reliance on automated tools without a comprehensive understanding of these principles can lead to costly oversights.

“It’s all very well to use the latest available modern conveniences of engineering design but mother nature does not care what software you used – gravity will still make things sag or even collapse. Wind and earthquakes still occur, and these forces always seek out the weakest link in the structural chain, leading to excessive damage or worse!” – Igor Labzin

Therefore, engineers must possess a strong foundation in the fundamentals and use their judgement when interpreting software outputs. Regular “sense checks,” such as cross-checking results with simplified calculations or rule-of-thumb estimations, are essential to catch potential errors.

A Golden Rule

One of the golden rules when working with computer-generated output is to view it as a plot of values rather than a table. By looking at graphical representations, engineers can catch potential issues at a glance, improving the accuracy and reliability of the design process.

“If it does not look right, then it is probably wrong!” – Igor Labzin

Accountability and Independent Checks

While advanced tools can streamline the design process, at Robert Bird Group we still place a strong emphasis on accountability and rigorous independent review. All design and documentation work undergoes an independent check by a different member of the design team, with the Project Principal closely monitoring project progress.

“The attitude by everyone involved in the project should be ‘Be responsible for your own work.’” – Igor Labzin