AI in Structural Engineering: From Theory to Practice

Our programme will include:

· Principles of AI

· New IStructE Guidance on use of AI

· Practical examples on how to use AI including the use of every day software tools

· Ethics in AI

· AI in Structural Analysis and design

· AI technology in Civil and Structural Engineering practice

· Industry viewpoints

· Panel discussion and Q & A

Our speakers are:

· James Bayley (WSP)

· Calum Lockhart (IStructE)

· Rahul Wala (Pick Everard)

· Faris Elghaish (Queens University, Belfast)

· Steven Insley and TBC (Trimble)

All welcome • Registration required • 4 hours CPD • Register via Eventbrite

Programme -

12.15 Registration & light lunch/tea/coffee.

13.00 Welcome, Michael Kilpatrick (Chair Sctoland regional Group IStructE)

13.05 Calum Lockhart (Digital Workflows & Computational Design IStructE)

Use AI to Make Your Work Better, Not to Replace Your Brain!

13.55 Faris Elghaish (Queens University, Belfast)

Applied AI in Civil & Structural Engineering: Practical Use Cases & Digital

Innovation

14.25 TBC (Trimble)

Using AI in Structural Analysis Software – Latest developments

15.05 Tea/coffee break

15.35 Rahul Wala (Pick Everard)

Navigating the challenges: Tools, opportunities and ethics

16.05 James Bayley (WSP)

Industry viewpoint:- Engineering Experience: Better Decisions by Design

16.35 Open forum / Panel discussion

17.00 Closing remarks

Registration and payment

Registration fee (VAT exempt):

· Graduate Members of IStructE = £70.00

· Other Members of IStructE = £85.00

· Non Members of IStructE = £95.00

Register and pay via Eventbrite

Enquiries – [email protected]

Getting there:

The Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC Building) 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD, is within easy walking distance from Glasgow Queen Street Station, and a 15 minute walk from Buchanan St bus garage and about a 10 minute walk from Glasgow Central station. There are several car parks in the vicinity. Please remember that Glasgow is an LEZ city

Our speakers:

Calum Lockhart (IStructE)

Explore the IStructE’s guidance on using AI effectively in your practice. Learn how to create better prompts to get the most from chatbots and discover powerful AI features already built into Microsoft Excel that you may not know are available.

Calum is a Senior Structural Engineer working at the IStructE. Where he leads the development of digital engineering; strategy, policy, guidance, and engagement at the Institution of Structural Engineers.

Faris Elghaish (Queens University, Belfast)

This presentation will explore practical applications of AI through a series of real use cases, including BIM-enabled design support, voice interaction with digital models, AI-assisted coding for engineering problem-solving, and deep learning for structural health monitoring of concrete elements. The session will focus on practical showcase and applied value, highlighting how AI can support more efficient workflows, better decision-making, and more intelligent engineering practice.

Dr Faris Elghaish is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Construction and Programme Director of the MSc in Applied Digital Construction Management at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). His research focuses on AI-enabled construction, Building Information Modelling, Digital Twins, and data-driven project delivery. He has co-led and contributed to funded research and knowledge-transfer projects supported by Innovate UK and InterTradeIreland, working closely with industry partners to advance BIM adoption and emerging digital construction technologies.

TBC (Trimble)

Trimble will be presenting on upcoming AI developments within their Strucutral Engineering software packages to advance structural engineering analysis. Practical demonstrations of how AI is currently being used and future potential will be demonstrated.

Trimble Inc. is a global technology company, which offers a range of market-leading structural engineering software packages designed to enhance productivity and accuracy in structural engineering design and analysis, including Tekla Strucutral Designer, Tekla Tedds and Tekla Strucutres 2026.

Further details TBC

Rahul Wala (Pick Everard)

AI is rapidly moving into everyday structural engineering, offering brilliant productivity boosts, but also real risks like 'black box' errors, biased data, and the erosion of our own engineering judgement. This presentation explores how we navigate these challenges on the ground. We'll look at a practical, ethical framework—focusing on human-in-the-loop governance and smart data checks—to help us embrace AI safely without compromising our core duty to public welfare.

Rahul is a Structural Engineer at Pick Everard and an active contributor to the IStructE Digital Workflow Panel. He also directs technical initiatives for the IStructE London YMG. Bringing a well-rounded industry perspective, his background spans design, contracting, and project management consultancy. As the author of "An Ethical Framework for AI in Structural Engineering" (IStructE technical magazine, Oct 2026), Rahul pairs a deep understanding of AI ethics with a practical passion for breaking down complex engineering problems and building smart automations to solve them.

James Bayley (WSP)

Artificial Intelligence may change the tools engineers use, but the core responsibility of our profession remains the same: making safe and sound decisions amid uncertainty. This talk explores the concept of Engineering Experience and how thoughtfully designed tools, workflows, and digital environments can support and amplify engineering judgement in practice. Drawing on real-world lessons from digital transformation at WSP, James reflects on how we can design systems that strengthen, rather than replace, the engineer’s role.

James began his career as a Structural Engineer and now works at the intersection of engineering, software, and experience design. At WSP he focuses on improving the tools and environments in which engineers think and make decisions. He is Chair of the IStructE Digital Workflows & Computational Design Panel and a member of the Structural Futures Committee.

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