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In this episode, we talk with Santosh Vangala, a structural engineer at AECOM, about how programming tech is transforming structural design, the importance of mastering engineering software early in your career, and the future of the structural engineering industry.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Santosh:
- What are some challenging yet fulfilling projects you’ve worked on?
- How have you utilized your knowledge of encoding and Python in your structural designs?
- What common mistakes have you observed that scripting helped mitigate in terms of ensuring accurate column load takedown and foundation calculations?
- How do engineers unfamiliar with Python start using it at work, and how did you introduce its use in your workplace?
- How can companies address quality control and coding proficiency concerns when introducing scripting tools, and what strategies can engineers use to promote wider adoption?
- Can you suggest resources for engineers new to programming tech tools in structural engineering to implement automated quality control checks effectively?
- Could you tell us about being recognized as a top young professional by the Engineering News-Record (ENR)?
- Where do you see the future of structural engineering heading in the next few years?
- Where do you see the role of the structural engineer heading, with automation and artificial intelligence (AI) potentially reducing the need for multiple engineers?
- What’s your final piece of advice for structural engineers looking to make a significant impact in their field?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How Breakthrough Programming Tech Is Shaping Structural Engineering:
- One of the most challenging yet fulfilling projects Santosh worked on was taking over management of a project after his supervisor left the company unexpectedly. It provided valuable lessons in managing scope creep and coordinating with various trades, ultimately contributing to his growth in project management and adaptability.
- Santosh uses Python and encoding skills to automate structural design tasks, improving accuracy and efficiency in creating construction drawings and calculations.
- Scripting with Python has reduced errors in column load takedown and foundation calculations by automating these processes, ensuring more accurate structural designs.
- Engineers unfamiliar with Python can start by learning basic scripting skills to automate tasks and extract data. Python was introduced in the workplace by demonstrating its efficiency in automating structural design processes, emphasizing its role in enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
- To address quality control concerns, companies should implement rigorous script review processes involving senior engineers. Engineers can promote wider adoption by providing training on scripting tools and highlighting their benefits in enhancing efficiency and reducing errors in design and analysis tasks.
- New engineers in structural engineering scripting tools can start with Coursera’s “Introduction to Python 3 Programming” from the University of Michigan. They can also find practical guidance on implementing automated quality control checks with Python and Revit APIs through PyRevit’s YouTube tutorials.
- Being recognized as a top young professional by ENR acknowledges significant contributions in the field, reflecting both personal achievements and the support of a talented team. It shows the importance of community involvement and mentorship, promoting the impact of giving back beyond daily professional responsibilities.
- In the near future, expect significant advancements in automation, AI, and sustainable building practices in engineering. These innovations will revolutionize project management and design, focusing on efficiency and environmental stewardship.
- As automation and AI advance, structural engineers will focus more on overseeing and integrating these technologies. While they may reduce the need for multiple engineers in routine tasks, engineers will remain essential for interpreting data, ensuring quality control, and innovating in complex project scenarios.
- Staying current with industry advancements, gaining diverse project experience, and documenting lessons learned are key for growth. Sharing knowledge in engineering communities like ASCE chapters or online forums supports others and builds a strong professional network.
More Details in This Episode…
About the Guest: Santosh Vangala, P.E.
Santosh Vangala is a registered professional engineer specialized in structural engineering with seven years of professional experience. He has expertise in the design of precast structures for various commercial projects, including office buildings, hotels, and hospitals. Santosh is passionate about leveraging his programming skills in Python to optimize structural design processes, aiming to minimize manual efforts and eliminate potential errors.
He is proficient in a comprehensive suite of engineering software, such as ETABS, RAM, SAP 2000, SAFE, RISA, AutoCAD, Revit, and MathCAD, and has a robust understanding of American Standard Codes, including ACI, AISC, ASCE 7, PCI, and NDS.
Santosh earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from West Virginia University and a bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) in Varanasi. He has further enhanced his coding skills through the Python 3 Programming course from the University of Michigan – School of Information.
Currently, Santosh serves as a structural engineer at AECOM. He holds professional engineering licenses in Texas and Colorado, certified by their respective state boards. His technical proficiency and dedication to engineering excellence underpin his reputation as a leader in structural engineering solutions.
About the Host: Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Mathew is a licensed engineer, practicing on structural projects in California, with an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. in Structural Engineering from UC San Diego. He has designed and managed various types of building structures, including residential wood apartment buildings, commercial steel buildings, and concrete parking structures and towers. He also hosts the new YouTube channel “Structural Engineering Life,” through which he promotes the structural engineering profession to engineering students who are not familiar with the industry perspective.
Sources/References:
AECOM
IITBHU
Revit
Python
Eiffel Tower
Leaning Tower of Pisa
MATLAB
Coursera
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
pyRevit
Engineering News Record
ACI Codes
Connect with Santosh Vangala, P.E., on LinkedIn
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below about how you believe programming tech is influencing the field of structural engineering.
To your success,
Mathew Picardal, P.E., SE
Hosts of The Structural Engineering Podcast
