Structures Simplified

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Notes from the design office

Practical articles on steel design, STAAD.Pro automation, OpenSTAAD and C#, and using AI well in structural engineering work.

OpenSTAAD

Featured article

OpenSTAAD tutorial: automate STAAD.Pro with C#

Connect to a running STAAD.Pro model from C#, read nodes, members and support reactions, and write geometry back, step by step with working code.

22 October 2026 5 min readRead
AI for engineers

AI for structural engineers: how to use Claude safely at work

Where AI assistants like Claude genuinely help structural engineers, where they fail, and a simple rule for using them safely on real design work.

18 October 2026 5 min readRead
Programming for engineers

C# for civil engineers: where to start

Why C# is a practical first programming language for civil and structural engineers, what to learn first, and a 6-week path using engineering examples.

14 October 2026 4 min readRead
Loads & codes

Wind load calculation as per IS 875 Part 3: step by step

The full IS 875 Part 3 wind load procedure explained: basic wind speed, k-factors, design pressure with Kd, Ka and Kc, pressure coefficients and load cases.

10 October 2026 6 min readRead
Steel design

Steel material take-off (MTO) from a STAAD.Pro model

How to produce a steel material take-off from STAAD.Pro, what the analysis model misses, and how to present tonnage that estimators and site teams can use.

5 October 2026 4 min readRead
PEB

PEB design basics: what really drives the steel weight

Span, eave height, bay spacing, wind and serviceability: the decisions that set the steel weight of a pre-engineered building, and how to optimise them.

29 September 2026 5 min readRead
Software

Why STAAD Pro is MUST for Civil/Structural Engineers?

Why STAAD Pro? STAAD Pro, which stands for Structural Analysis and Design Program, is a powerful software solution widely used in the

18 October 2024 4 min readRead
Steel design

The Advantages of Steel Frame Structures: A Guide to Strong, Sustainable Building

In the world of construction, steel frame structures have gained immense popularity for their numerous advantages. From unmatched strength and durability to

18 October 2024 11 min readRead
Steel design

Block Shear Failure as per AISC Code

Table of Contents #Understanding the Concept of Block Shear Failure Block shear failure occurs when part of a material shears away due

19 September 2024 3 min readRead
Steel design

Laterally Supported and Unsupported Beams: A Comprehensive Guide

Beams are an essential part of any structure. They carry loads and transfer forces to other parts of the building, ensuring stability

16 September 2024 4 min readRead
Steel design

Mastering the Art of Steel Design: Enhancing Column Strength & Integrity

When it comes to steel design, the strength and structural integrity of columns are of paramount importance. Whether you are an engineer,

9 September 2024 9 min readRead
Software

Structural Engineering Software Used in India (2024)

Structural engineering is an ever-evolving field, and with the complexities involved in modern construction, manual calculations and hand-drawn designs are…

6 September 2024 8 min readRead