the AI advantage in structural engineering

In our latest episode of Lexicon, we sat down with Sina Flynn, PE, a senior structural engineer and project manager at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting. 

Sina talked about how artificial intelligence (AI) benefits industries like structural engineering and offered some interesting insights into its potential for the future. 

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AI’s growing role in structural engineering

We began our talk with Sina, highlighting the current state of structural engineering workflows, and how AI is helping lighten the workload for engineers. “Currently, the way we design involves a lot of manual inputs,” she explained.

“Even though we have software that handles calculations, engineers still need to manually input dimensions, building locations, and load requirements. AI can eliminate much of this work by interpreting project data automatically and streamlining processes,” she added.

Sina pointed to efficiency as one of the most immediate benefits of AI.

“AI is going to increase efficiencies within design by eliminating much of the manual work we currently do, creating seamless synchronization between architects, engineers, and other disciplines,” she said.

For example, if AI is employed to automate repetitive tasks, it would dramatically reduce human errors and allow engineers to focus on more creative and complex challenges.

Collaboration not replacement

Sina also pointed out that AI must remain a collaborative tool rather than being considered a replacement for experienced human engineers. To this end, AI could act as a bridge between different disciplines within a project.

“There are a lot of instances where I’m talking to mechanical or electrical engineers and don’t fully understand their jargon,” she shared. “AI could help decode these terms and suggest solutions, making collaboration smoother and more effective,” Sina explained.

Moreover, she emphasized that AI’s role is to replace and enhance human labor. “AI is only as good as the questions and data we provide. It’s not about taking over but enabling us to make better, faster decisions,” she said.

Safety and sustainability are key

Sina also explained how AI will help drastically improve safety and sustainability within the industry.

“AI will help combine safety and sustainable design into one package, allowing us to meet regulations while minimizing material usage and environmental impact,” she explained.

Sina elaborated on how AI can reduce over-design, a common structural engineering challenge.

“Because of time constraints and the need to prioritize safety, engineers often over-design structures,” she noted. “AI can optimize material usage while maintaining safety, helping us achieve sustainable design without compromising structural integrity,” Sina added.

This, Sina also explained, will be vital to helping the industry as a whole dramatically slash its collective carbon emissions. “We need to stop emitting carbon into the Earth by 2050,” Sina asserted.

“Incorporating AI to achieve that goal is going to be the best way forward,” she added.

The road ahead will not be easy

However, as Sina pointed out, despite AI’s great potential, integrating it fully will not be a walk in the park. Like any significant new technology in any industry, overcoming resistance will be a major barrier.

“The biggest challenge isn’t the technology—it’s people getting used to using it and integrating it into their workflows effectively,” she said.

She also pointed out that AI is not yet fully integrated into structural design software. “Right now, AI functions as a separate tool. Engineers need to open it manually, input prompts, and interpret its suggestions,” she explained.

“The future lies in seamless integration where AI automatically provides insights and updates within the design software itself,” Sina added.

AI will play a significant role in building codes and regulations

As Sina pointed out, another potential benefit of AI in structural engineering is its potential to help the design team navigate the complexity of building codes and regulations. This is because, at present, keeping up with code changes is time-intensive and stressful.

AI could help make compliance as simple as a click of a button or a short chat with an AI bot.

“AI can update itself based on new information from building codes and automatically suggest or implement changes, saving engineers significant time,” she explained.

Looking ahead, she predicted that AI could even play a role in shaping future regulations. “By analyzing past data, AI could provide informed recommendations to regulators, helping them refine and improve building codes,” Sina told us.

Ethics are also important

As AI becomes more integral to design processes, ethical considerations remain paramount. “Never fully rely on AI,” Sina cautioned. “A lot of the answers it generates aren’t logical. Human judgment is essential to ensure accuracy and safety,” she said.

She reiterated that while AI can enhance workflows, it cannot replace the critical thinking and decision-making of experienced engineers. “AI is just a tool. It needs human control to guide it and validate its outputs,” she emphasized.

What the future has in store

As we brought our talk to an end, Sina shared her vision for the future of AI in structural engineering.

“I would prioritize sustainability, seamless integration, and optimizing designs for efficiency,” she said. “By incorporating AI into our software, we can achieve safety, sustainability, and innovation simultaneously,” Sina explained.

Sina also highlighted the potential for AI to democratize the field, enabling smaller firms to compete with larger ones by providing them with advanced tools and insights.

“AI can level the playing field, helping smaller companies access the same efficiencies and innovations as industry giants,” she told us. “AI is not a replacement for human expertise—it’s a tool to empower engineers and architects to achieve greater heights,” Sina added.