| The boom of computers in the several past decades | | | | assumptions is therefore essential. "Blind use" of |
| has made a major impact on almost every field of | | | | computers may result in a loss of the "feeling for the |
| human endeavor. It has introduced new possibilities | | | | structure", which is one of the most important aspect |
| also for structural engineers, whose primary task is to | | | | of good structural design.User's confidence in the |
| design buildings, bridges and other structures. Structural | | | | software can be enhanced by the availability of |
| design can be considered to be a combination of art | | | | verification examples used to check the software, by |
| and science, because it must be aesthetically pleasing, | | | | reputation of the software author, by good-quality |
| yet follow the laws of material behavior at the same | | | | documentation, or by simply knowing that the software |
| time (there also other factors, such as economical and | | | | enjoys widespread use. However, as the quality |
| political, having measurable impact on the final | | | | assurance and quality control during software |
| design).Prior to approximately 1960s, the structural | | | | development vary from vendor to vendor (and |
| design was accomplished primarily by hand | | | | software vendors specifically disclaim any responsibility |
| calculations, graphical and semi-graphical methods. With | | | | for damages resulting from using their software), the |
| the advent of computers, many repetitive design tasks | | | | ultimate responsibility lies with the software user. |
| could be automated and other problems with known | | | | Therefore, it is highly recommended to check the |
| theoretical solutions were implemented for practical | | | | software results "the old way", against simplified hand |
| use. Today there are hundreds of structural analysis | | | | calculations and engineering judgement or intuition. Too |
| and design programs: commercial, academic, and open | | | | much faith in the software could have a fatal |
| source; specialized and general; well-established and | | | | impact.Structural software is a very good servant |
| emerging. While the computer software enables to | | | | when used wisely. It should be however remembered |
| analyze and design advanced structures out of reach | | | | that structural design is like a mosaic composed of |
| in the previous era (such as cable-stayed bridge or | | | | many pieces and computerized calculations represent |
| segmental bridges), it also places higher demands on | | | | only one of them. To achieve a good design, all pieces |
| structural engineers. Ideally, they should become | | | | must be of high quality and must fit nicely together.The |
| thoroughly familiar with the underlying theory, clearly | | | | author is webmaster of BridgeArt.net ( a |
| understand the modeling assumptions, and | | | | profesional-oriented website for structural and bridge |
| independently verify the computer results. Otherwise | | | | engineers that features a database of structural |
| they might be compromising the safety of their design. | | | | engineering software. |
| Understanding of internal software working and its | | | | |