Webinar Recap: Staying in Control of Complex and Rapid Design
In early April 2025, we hosted a sponsored webinar with The Institution of Structural Engineers titled ‘Staying in Control of Complex and Rapid Design’. We were joined by Senior Business Development Manager, Andrew Eckert Andrew Eckert and Head of Structural Products, David de Koning ing.
In this session, we showcased how our advanced analysis and design tools support enhanced design processes in an increasingly digital-focused world. Attendees learned the importance of building models quickly and accurately, with optioneering becoming an essential part of the workflow. The webinar highlighted the extensive capabilities of Oasys GSA’s design layer, including key integrations with Oasys Compos and Grasshopper, which streamline and transform design workflows.
Attendees discovered how customisable dynamic links automate interoperability tasks, improving both efficiency and accuracy. The session demonstrated how GSA enhances workflows and facilitates seamless import/export between programs.
Catch up with the recording to explore these innovative solutions and more. Continue reading to explore the webinar highlights and use the convenient timestamp links to jump directly to the key moments.
Scroll to the end to view the questions and answers from the Q&A session.
Webinar highlights
David began the webinar by discussing the impact of digitisation and AI on engineering, emphasising the importance of understanding and leveraging AI and data in the design process. He highlighted the role of microchips in driving these changes and the need for engineers to adapt to the increasing computational power available.
David then went on to explain the concept of data surplus in the design process, where modern tools generate more data than traditional methods. He emphasised the importance of managing this complexity and using tools like GSA to stay in control of the design process while extracting value from the additional data.
David then described the design and analysis layers in GSA, explaining how the design layer allows for higher-level modelling and organisation, while the analysis layer provides detailed control over the model's behaviour. He stressed the importance of transparency and access to data in managing complex designs. He highlighted the ease of integrating GSA with other tools like Excel, Python, and Rhino, allowing for flexible data management and manipulation.
David presented a case study of a project in the Netherlands involving reciprocal frames. SIDStudio used GSA and Grasshopper to analyse the complex structure and perform specific connection checks. The combination of GSA's analysis capabilities and Rhino's modelling tools allowed for effective management of the project's complexity. Specific connection checks were performed using the results from GSA models in Rhino, as off-the-shelf connection checking tools were not suitable for this unique structure.
For this project, Arup used GSA and Grasshopper to optimise the load distribution on a building to avoid damaging underground tunnels. They employed a genetic algorithm in Grasshopper to run multiple analyses and find the best load variation, demonstrating the power of computational tools in solving complex engineering problems.
The initial approach involved using a thick raft slab with a uniformly distributed load, but this resulted in tension and cracking in the tunnels. The team used a genetic algorithm in Grasshopper to vary the load at each point of the mesh, running multiple analyses to find the best load variation that minimised stress on the tunnels. They implemented a load distribution strategy based on the insights gained from the algorithm, ensuring the stability and longevity of the tunnels.
David highlighted the structural design of the Olympic Aquatic Centre by schlaich bergermann partner sbp . The team used GSA and Grasshopper to perform large displacement analysis and sensitivity analysis, ensuring the roof's stability and performance. The integration of GSA with Grasshopper allowed for efficient management of the complex design process.
The team used GSA to perform large displacement analysis, which is essential for structures with membrane or catenary action like the Aquatic Centre roof. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using Grasshopper to understand the impact of varying support conditions and stiffnesses on the roof's performance.
David provided information about the GSA documentation site, which includes tutorials, references, and theory documentation. He encouraged participants to explore the resources available to learn more about GSA and its capabilities.
Andrew and David addressed various questions from the audience, covering topics such as concrete stress analysis, machine learning options in Grasshopper, trial versions of GSA, and the integration of AI in structural engineering.
Each question is linked to the timestamp in the webinar, click to listen to the detailed answers.
Digitalisation in engineering
A: It’s not one of our main priorities to be the first to integrate AI directly into GSA. Instead, our focus is on supporting structural engineers by providing transparent and open data. GSA can be easily integrated into AI workflows, allowing users to leverage its reliability and transparency. Engineers can use GSA components in Grasshopper or other scripting methods to incorporate AI into their projects.
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A: Finding ways to combine GSA with LLMs is still ongoing. There have been some experiments where users wrap access to a LLM API within Grasshopper components and integrate them with GSA. This can also be done using Python or C, offering various options for combining AI with GSA.
Using GSA
A: We recommend starting with the design layer when building a model in GSA, as it provides full control over the analysis at a higher level. The analysis layer is necessary for running analyses and offers direct control over restraints, releases, and complex joints. The workflow involves generating the analysis layer from the design layer, checking and modifying it as needed. Users can choose to keep both layers in sync or delete the design layer once the analysis layer is complete. This approach ensures no loss of information or control.
A: GSA typically uses an effective stiffness approach for calculating stresses and strains in concrete, which users can control. While GSA doesn't directly use plasticity-based models, it allows users to integrate results from other tools that do. GSA's user modules enable pushing results back into the system, facilitating complex analyses. The roadmap includes improving the product to handle complex analyses better and potentially incorporating more advanced methods in the future.
A: GSA can undertake a local buckling analysis for a steel stiffened box-girder. To do this you can create a 2D element model of the webs and elements of the connection, then running a buckling analysis. Users can generate a detailed local model using Grasshopper scripts, import it into GSA, and perform the analysis. While GSA has the necessary components, the specifics of the workflow may require some exploration and adjustments.
A: Yes! Get in touch with us at oasys@arup.com and we will help you set up a trial.
Note: The GSA-Grasshopper plugin is open-sourced, allowing users to write scripts against the GSA Application Programming Interface (API). While the Grasshopper components can be downloaded for free, they do not support running analyses or opening GSA files without the full GSA software.
A: We support sustainability in architecture by providing tools that help engineers perform their jobs better and with more flexibility. Sustainability varies by location due to different materials and energy sources. We focus on supporting engineers in designing sustainable buildings rather than doing the engineering for them. By enabling more efficient computations, we aim to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects.
A: We support design justification through a design module focused on steel and by making it easy to extract data from GSA. Users can create custom output tables in GSA, combining input data like properties and geometry with specific outputs. This flexibility allows users to match their existing calculation formats, streamlining workflows. Design justification requirements vary by location, and we aim to support these diverse needs by enabling customised reports and dashboards.
GSA-Grasshopper plugin
A: You need to have both a GSA license and a Rhino license to access the GSA-Grasshopper capabilities.
GSA needs to be installed on the computer for the GSA Grasshopper plugin to work. When running the plugin, it locates the GSA installation, finds the necessary DLLs, and loads them into Rhino. This means GSA operates within Rhino during use. Users can download the GSA Grasshopper plugin from the package manager, which will then connect to the installed GSA on the computer.
A: The integration process aims to expose existing GSA capabilities rather than developing them from scratch. GSA functionality in Grasshopper is continuously expanding, with new features like modal analysis being added. Users can access all GSA capabilities by creating a seed file in GSA and then using Grasshopper to run analyses. Although some features are still being integrated, there are easy workarounds available. Please reach out to the support team for assistance with specific needs.
A: Using the GSA-Grasshopper plugin for analysis and design is a matter of personal preference. Learning Grasshopper with a simple project can be beneficial. Grasshopper can be used in various ways, such as building parametric models or applying specific loads. The choice depends on user comfort, and both GSA and Grasshopper offer flexible options for model manipulation.
A: The simplicity of the Galapagos genetic algorithm in Grasshopper allows users to set up inputs and define objective functions. As the AI optimisation space rapidly evolves, it makes specific recommendations difficult. Visit Food4Rhino.com to explore various Grasshopper plugins. Galapagos is recommended as a starting point due to its ease of use and flexibility in swapping out optimisation engines.
A: We offer support for GSA-Grasshopper tools to licensed holders. Despite being open source, the GSA-Grasshopper plugin is covered by our quality management system and is an integral part of our structural suite. We also have a plugin for Oasys AdSec, our concrete section design tool, which will soon be covered by the same quality process. Users can rely on these tools and expect full support from Oasys.
Register your interest for the Oasys GSA-Grasshopper plugin to speak to a member of the team.
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