4 Transformative Impacts of AI on Structural Engineering

If you’ve been in structural engineering for even a few years, you already know this: Our industry changes slowly until suddenly it doesn’t.

We experienced this when computers replaced hand calculations. We experienced it again when ETABS, SAFE and STAAD replaced manual spreadsheets. And now, we are at the doorstep of the next wave— AI - driven structural engineering.

Some engineers fear it. Some believe it’s overhyped.

And some think “AI will replace us.”

The truth is far more nuanced.

AI will not replace good engineers. AI will replace low-end work — and the engineers who depend on low-end work.

Here are 4 major changes AI is already bringing to structural engineering and what this means for you.

1) AI Will Bring Standardisation

Artificial Intelligence will accelerate the standardization of designs and automatically eliminate low-end, repetitive tasks.

A major challenge currently facing structural engineering is the lack of standardization.

Every office has its own:

• Excel design sheets

• Structural design Templates

• Design Checklists

• Thumb rules for design

• “This is how we do it” approaches for design

  
  

Due to the manual creation process, errors can occur. Some spreadsheets contain bugs, some are outdated, and some were developed by individuals who left the organization a decade ago.

AI addresses all these issues.

What AI Will Do

• Analyse thousands of past designs

• Recognise patterns

• Suggest the most optimal and consistent approach

• Auto-fill design spreadsheets (or eliminate spreadsheets altogether)

• Remove manual quantification, BBS preparation, and formula-heavy routines

Unexpectedly, all monotonous and repetitive low-level tasks are eliminated.

This is advantageous for technically proficient engineers who prefer not to spend time on routine tasks. However, it poses a challenge for those who rely heavily on basic tools like Excel for their survival.

Enhance your skills — or risk being left behind.

2) AI will Free Up Time for Customisation

Once AI takes over routine tasks, what remains is pure engineering judgment — the part machines can’t do.

Clients often want:

• Small layout changes

• Member resizing

• Architectural adjustments

• Last-minute tweaks

  
  

Earlier, these were painful because each small change triggered a massive recalculation chain.

Now AI allows:

• Instant recalculation

• Instant model updates

• Smart propagation of changes

• Smart design adjustments

  
  

Result?

You finally get time for:

• Better structural concepts

• More detailed engineering

• Exploring alternatives

• Improving safety

• Reducing costs

• Better architect–engineer collaboration

  
  

And here's the bigger shift:

Engineers with strong fundamentals and multidisciplinary understanding will lead projects.

Why?

Because with AI doing routine work, the person who:

• Understands architecture

• Understands MEP

• Understands Geotechnical constraints

• Understands Construction

• Understands Client needs

  AI will tie all of them together structurally.

  
  

Structural engineers are poised to take the lead in the building design process.

While AI streamlines calculations, only humans possess the ability to integrate various disciplines, balance trade-offs, and make decisions that consider the entire building ecosystem. In the era of AI, the most skilled structural engineers will also serve as project integrators, as other disciplines become more impacted by AI and their roles diminish.

3) AI Reduce Compounding Effect of Rounding-Off Errors

Every structural engineer knows this pain:

You group moments → round them →You group reinforcement → round again

You standardise bars → round again

You detail → round again

By the end of this chain, the total reinforcement may be 10–15% higher than required.

AI can eliminate this compounding inefficiency.

How?

• It reads the entire model

• Understands design intent

• Calculates bar optimisation without manual rounding

• Suggests reinforcement that is both economical and code compliant

• Minimises wastage at the detailing stage

This is where AI quietly saves lakhs of rupees without making a sound.

4) AI Suggest Member Sizes & Schemes

Today, sizing a structural system is part knowledge, part experience, and part educated guessing.

You think: “Should I try a 230 wall or 300?”

“Is 300×600 beam too heavy?”

“Should I shift the column slightly?”

Then you model → design → revise → re-run → try again.

AI changes this entire workflow.

AI in Structural Engineering Will:

• Analyse building geometry

• Check span-to-depth ratios

• Review material properties

• Refer to thousands of past projects

• Predict the most likely optimal sizes

• Suggest preliminary scheme options

• Warn you of constructability issues

  
  

Suddenly, you start your project 80% correct from Day 1.Iterations drop drastically.

Speed increases. Accuracy increases.

This doesn’t replace the engineer. It assists the engineer — the way a GPS assists a driver. You still decide the route. But the tool helps you avoid unnecessary dead-ends.

So, Will AI Replace Structural Engineers?

No. AI will replace the low-skilled version of structural engineers.

Just like ETABS didn't make structural engineers jobless, AI will not make structural engineers jobless.

But AI will make mediocre engineering unacceptable.

The future belongs to those who understand:

• Concepts

• Engineering judgment

• Structural behaviour

• Optimization

• Code intent

• Construction sequence

• And the ability to coordinate across disciplines

  
  

AI will raise the bar, not lower it.

Please watch a comprehensive webinar on AI in Structural Engineering that will give your more insights on how you need to skill up technically to stay relevant in the industry.

Final Thoughts — Skill Up, or Get Swept Aside

The biggest change AI brings is not automation.

It is pressure.

Pressure to:

• Know your fundamentals

• Understand behaviour

• Be technically strong

• Coordinate across disciplines

• Lead projects with engineering clarity

• Deliver value beyond calculations

  
  

AI is the new baseline. Engineering judgment is the new differentiator.

This shift is already happening globally. India will follow — faster than many expect.

So if you want to stay relevant, skill up now, while the industry is still transitioning.

Because when the transition ends, only the engineers, not the “button operators”, will remain.

Consider Civilera Mentoring Program for a comprehensive structural learning & implementation.