Structural Intelligence Podcast

About Structural Intelligence Podcast

Welcome to the Structural Intelligence Podcast — where engineering meets innovation. Hosted by Owen Keenan, this show dives into how AI, automation, and digital tools are transforming engineering. Each episode features real stories from leading professionals, practical insights, and bold ideas shaping the future of the built environment. If you're passionate about smarter workflows, powerful tools, and the next evolution of engineering, you're in the right place.

Publisher

Owen Keenan

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2025

Latest episode

19 May 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 May 2026

   I Stopped Trying to Hire a Developer and Just Built It Myself w/ Nick Heim

   "What if the firms falling behind on AI aren't the ones that tried it and failed, but the ones still waiting to understand what has already changed?" Most engineering firms are still treating AI as something to evaluate from a distance. The conversation inside the industry remains focused on readiness, risk, and the right time to start. Meanwhile, a smaller group has already moved past that question. They are building internal tools, automating workflows, and rethinking how engineering value is delivered when intelligence becomes available on demand. In this episode, Owen sits down with Nick Heim, PE, Structural Engineer and Technology Advisor at StructureCare and Trinovate, and host of the AEC AI & Tech Strategy Podcast. With over 100 episodes interviewing engineers and firm leaders across the AEC sector, Nick has one of the clearest views of where firms actually sit on the adoption curve and what separates the ones moving fast from the ones watching. They cover what AI agents actually mean for engineering workflows, why building your own tools is now realistic for any engineer willing to experiment, and how field capture technology is quietly transforming inspection and reporting. What emerges from this conversation is that the real differentiator is not software. It is curiosity and leadership. The firms compounding advantage right now are led by people who are personally in the tools, building intuition through experimentation rather than delegating innovation downward and waiting for a strategy to arrive. If you are an engineer, firm leader, or technology builder trying to understand where the profession is actually heading, this episode shows what practical progress looks like. Key Takeaways: The engineering profession is splitting into firms building with AI and firms still observing. The gap between them is widening faster than most realise. AI agents combine language model reasoning with deterministic tools like code and calculators. The engineer's role shifts to directing, contextualising, and verifying outputs, not replacing judgment. Before automating anything, fix your data and map your workflows. The firms getting real results from AI have usually sorted those two foundations first. Domain expertise is now a build advantage. Engineers who understand the problem can use tools like Cursor and Claude to build internal apps without a software development team. Curiosity is the compounding advantage. The firms moving fastest are not necessarily the largest. They are led by people who experiment hands-on, build intuition early, and iterate quickly. Timestamps: [00:00] - Episode Highlights [02:43] - Welcome and Introduction [03:45] - Nick's Background and Journey [09:00] - The Firm Adoption Gap [11:27] - Intelligence on Tap: The Business Model Shift [16:37] - What AI Agents Actually Are [21:26] - Engineers Building Their Own Apps [27:18] - Tool Stack for Curious Engineers [31:05] - Data and Workflow Fundamentals [34:18] - Automating a Small Engineering Firm [37:32] - Field Capture and Inspection Technology [43:09] - Curiosity as the Competitive Advantage 🔗 Guest: Nick Heim, PE Structural Engineer & Technology Advisor at StructureCare / Trinovate Website: https://trinovate.ai/ (https://trinovate.ai/) LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/structurecare%C2%AE/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/structurecare%C2%AE/) LinkedIn (Nick Heim): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasheim/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasheim/) 🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW (https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw) VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai (https://www.voiceinspect.ai) 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.

2. 

   14 Apr 2026

   SPACEGASS and the Evolution of Legacy Tools for the New Era (w/ Ben James)

   “How can our beloved engineering tools evolve for the future?”Most structural engineering workflows still rely on disconnected tools, manual processes, and time-consuming iterations, where engineers spend as much time managing data as they do making decisions. In this episode, I sit down with Ben James, CEO of SPACE GASS, to explore how engineering software is evolving in the age of AI, automation, and interconnected systems. From his journey as a consulting engineer to leading one of Australia’s most widely used structural analysis platforms, Ben shares how tools are becoming more powerful, more connected, and more central to the way engineers work.But as technology accelerates, the conversation shifts beyond software itself. Ben and Owen unpack what it really means to keep “the engineer in the loop”, why fundamentals matter more than ever, and how the best engineers will use these tools to amplify their judgment, not replace it. Whether you’re an engineer, consultant, or simply interested in the future of technical work, this episode explores the balance between innovation and expertise, and why the next evolution of engineering is not just smarter tools, but smarter workflows built around them.🔑 Key Takeaways:- Engineering software is evolving from isolated tools into connected ecosystems where data flows seamlessly.- AI increases speed, iteration, and output, but shifts value toward human judgment, interpretation, and decision-making.- The most effective engineers understand what technology can do, even if they don’t build it themselves.- Modern engineering teams increasingly require software expertise to automate processes and integrate systems effectively.- Innovation enhances engineering capability, but strong fundamentals and mentorship remain essential for reliable outcomes.⏱ Timestamps:00:00 - Engineering Meets AI Evolution4:05 - From Engineer to CEO8:11 - Engineer-Build Software Advantage14:03 - Disconnected Engineering workflows17:20 - AI in Fixing Workflows24:46 - Lowering the Barrier with AI30:13 - Engineers vs Software Complexity35:11 - Why Engineers Need Developers40:00 - Experience Still Matters Most46:00 - Guiding Engineers in the AI Era🔗 Guest: Ben JamesCEO of SPACE GASSWebsite: https://www.spacegass.com/LinkedIn (Company): https://au.linkedin.com/company/space-gassLinkedIn (Ben James): https://au.linkedin.com/in/benjaminjjames🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.#EngineeringFuture #Enginnering #TechInnovation

3. 

   10 Mar 2026

   Detecting Structural Defects From a Photo w/ Ralph Noronha

   “What if detecting critical structural defects was as easy as uploading a photo?” Most structural inspections still rely on manual site visits, ladders, and visual checks, leaving room for missed defects, costly delays, and safety risks. In this episode I sit down with Ralph Noronha, founder of Defectech, to explore how AI, drones, and 3D modeling are transforming the way engineers detect and manage structural defects. Ralph shares the story behind building a bootstrap startup that turns ordinary images into actionable insights, enabling faster, safer, and more scalable inspections without sacrificing accuracy. From the technical challenges of training bespoke machine learning models to the human side of entrepreneurship, Ralph explains how Defectech balances risk, innovation, and real-world impact. Whether you’re an engineer, asset owner, or tech enthusiast, this conversation reveals how modern tools are redefining inspection workflows, making defect detection as easy as uploading a photo, and why the future of structural intelligence is about combining technology with practical expertise. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - Traditional inspections miss defects; AI and drones make detection faster, safer, and more complete. - Photos become actionable 3D models, turning raw data into precise insight. - Bespoke machine learning models require meticulous data, annotation, and hyperparameter tuning. - Effective adoption depends on human judgment, trust, and workflow design not just technology. - Founders succeed by leveraging strengths, iterating fast, and learning from failure under tight resources. ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 - Engineering Meets Innovation 04:53 - From Banking To Startup 08:56 - Founder Mindset and Motivation 12:23 - AI-Powered Defect Detection 17:53 - Building and Training AI Models 22:05 - Using Defectech In Practice 26:48 - Recognition, Adoption, And Future Insights 31:27 - Asset Storytelling And Predictive Insights 35:22 - Customer Focus And Common Defects 40:53 - AI Impact And Closing Thoughts 🔗 Guest: Ralph Noronha Co-Founder of Defectech Website: https://www.defectech.com.au/ LinkedIn (Company): https://au.linkedin.com/company/defectech LinkedIn (Ralph Noronha): https://au.linkedin.com/in/ralnor 🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9Ax8jAJl2x0QQp3cO8vrw VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes. #Engineering #Technology #Innovation

4. 

   18 Feb 2026

   Stop Relying on “Representative” Inspections, Here’s Why w/ Derek Feebrey

   “What if the biggest risk to our infrastructure isn’t corrosion, cracking, or ageing, but the assumptions we still make?” Most asset inspections rely on “representative sampling”, checking a handful of areas and extrapolating the rest. But in complex, ageing buildings, that approach can quietly hide defects, increase risk, and lead to expensive surprises later. In this episode of the Structural Intelligence Podcast, host Owen Keenan sits down with Derek Feebrey, Co-Founder and CEO of Trendspek, to explore why sampling often falls short, and what a better future looks like, one built on complete, auditable data. From aviation-inspired precision to millimetre-accurate 3D digital records, Derek explains how the industry is shifting from static PDF reports to living models of the built environment, and why the biggest barrier is not technology, it’s trust, process, and change management. If you work in engineering, asset management, facilities, or infrastructure, this episode will challenge the way you think about inspections, evidence, and decision-making. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Why “representative” inspections can miss critical risks How complete data reduces assumptions and improves decisions Why 3D modelling is changing how we plan remediation and budgets The role of engineers, contractors, and owners in better collaboration Why adoption is more about people and process than technology ⏱ Timestamps:00:00 - Why Sampling Fails06:02 - From Photos to 3D Insight09:01 - Digital Inspections from Data13:42 - Agnostic Data Capture17:31 - The Limits of Representative Inspections22:40 - Remediation and Cost Certainty26:32 - Optimizing Asset Management30:19 - Working Together Virtually35:29 - Digitizing Data and Building Smarter Insights38:26 - AI-Powered Infrastructure 🔗 Guest: Derek Feebrey Co-Founder & CEO TrendspekWebsite: https://trendspek.com/ (https://trendspek.com/)LinkedIn (Company): https://linkedin.com/company/trendspek (https://linkedin.com/company/trendspek)LinkedIn (Derek Feebrey): https://linkedin.com/in/derek-feebrey (https://linkedin.com/in/derek-feebrey) 🎧 Host & Links LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan (https://linkedin.com/in/owenrkeenan)Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW (https://open.spotify.com/show/7vcBFpl87NcqpLf0seIRaW)YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Structural-Intelligence (https://www.youtube.com/@Structural-Intelligence) VoiceInspect.ai (AI for inspections): https://www.voiceinspect.ai (https://www.voiceinspect.ai) 👉 Subscribe to the Structural Intelligence Podcast on YouTube and Spotify to stay updated on new episodes.

5. 

   9 Dec 2025

   S1E9 - Engineering Tools that Build Themselves (w/Stijn Jansen)

   Host Owen Keenan interviews Stijn Jansen, co-founder of VIKTOR, about engineers building self-creating tools, exploring the balance between reliable deterministic systems and flexible AI-driven workflows in engineering.

6. 

   6 Nov 2025

   S1E8 - Between Innovation & Impact: We build systems, but do we always understand the consequences?

   Host Owen Keenan interviews Raj Aseervatham, President of Engineers Australia, who explores how engineers balance innovation, society, and the environment, requiring mindset shifts for the next generation of engineers.

7. 

   13 Oct 2025

   S1E7 – AI Agents and Rethinking Construction Tech Adoption with Ethan Ow (Wenti Labs)

   Ethan Ow, Co-Founder & CEO of Wenti Labs, discusses with Owen Keenan how AI agents can be embedded into construction tools to automate safety checks and reporting, adapting to existing workflows in this interview.

8. 

   4 Sept 2025

   S1E6 - Inside Civils.ai: Explore Stevan Lukic’s Leap from Engineer to Tech Founder long before the AI hype

   Host Owen Keenan interviews Stevan Lukic, founder and CEO of Civils.ai, exploring his transition from civil engineer to AI tech founder and the future of data in engineering.

9. 

   8 Aug 2025

   S1E5 – No Dev, No Problem: How a Civil Engineer Coded His Own Automation Tool for Stormwater Modelling using AI (w/ Sebastian Masset)

   Sebastian Masset discusses his journey as a civil engineer who developed HECFlow, an AI-powered automation tool for stormwater modeling, enabling engineers to bridge the gap between domain expertise and software, in an interview with Owen Keenan.

10. 

    14 Jul 2025

    S1E4 - Engineering Reality - The Power of Simulation & Digital Prototyping (w/ Derek Cloete)

    Owen Keenan interviews Derik Cloete, Senior Engineering Solutions Manager at LEAP Australia, who explores how simulation and digital prototyping expands engineering thinking through virtual testing and data-driven design.

11. 

    8 Jul 2025

    AI Short #2 - Load Path Never Lies - Revealing the Hidden Logic Behind Structural Safety

    This episode explores the concept of load paths in structural engineering, explaining how forces travel through buildings to ensure stability and resilience.

12. 

    6 Jun 2025

    S1E3 - AI, Open Source, and the Evolving Engineer w/ Brooks Smith

    Host Owen Keenan interviews Brooks Smith, a Chartered Structural Engineer, about the evolving role of AI and open-source tools in structural engineering, revealing how these technologies reshape design workflows and engineering practices.

13. 

    15 May 2025

    AI Short #1 - Temporary Works, Permanent Lessons – Reflecting on CROSS Report 1335

    Disclaimer: This episode was generated using AI, specifically NotebookLM, and is based entirely on the publicly available contents of CROSS Safety Report 1335. The dialogue you hear is fully AI-generated, no real people were involved in the voice or scripting. This format is an experimental tool designed to present technical safety insights in a more accessible, audio-first way for engineers, students, and construction professionals. In this episode of Structural Intelligence, we explore the key lessons from CROSS Safety Report 1335, which investigates a serious incident involving the collapse of a precast concrete floor during an in-situ concrete pour. While no serious injuries occurred, the event highlights critical safety and engineering insights about temporary works design, site supervision, and the importance of proper sequencing on construction sites. We’re grateful to CROSS-AUS (https://www.cross-safety.org/aus) — the Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety initiative — for making this content publicly available. CROSS plays a vital role in sharing knowledge and improving safety outcomes across the built environment. We encourage listeners to explore the full report and CROSS resources for deeper understanding: 👉 Original Report: Deficient design and oversight of temporary works leads to collapse – Report ID 1335 (https://www.cross-safety.org/aus/safety-information/cross-safety-report/deficient-design-and-oversight-temporary-works-leads-1335) 👉 Learn More about CROSS-AUS: https://www.cross-safety.org/aus (https://www.cross-safety.org/aus) All credit to CROSS for their work in publishing this important information. This episode is a non-commercial reinterpretation designed to extend the reach of CROSS reports through an audio-first experience.

14. 

    5 May 2025

    S1E2 - Engineering Beyond the Code: Snapback Simulations and Data Driven Decisions (w/Jordan Butler)

    Can data‑driven design make mooring operations safer than the rule‑book ever imagined? Senior Structural & Maritime Engineer Jordan Butler (WGA) explains how 20 terabytes of snapback simulations are rewriting global standards—and why engineers must look beyond compliance to manage real‑world risk. Guest bio: Jordan chairs PIANC Working Group 251, leading the creation of international guidelines for snapback arresting systems. He combines hands‑on design with cutting‑edge computational modelling of mooring‑line failure at ports worldwide. Episode guide 00:00 Intro – the hidden danger of snapback 01:28 How the “10° cone” became gospel 08:00 What is snapback analysis? 11:25 Conditions that trigger failure 14:17 Early guidance vs today’s standards 18:50 The Zagar incident (case study) 20:48 Building a 20 TB simulation pipeline 25:26 Site‑specific zoning vs blanket MEG‑4 rules 35:42 Engineering beyond the code 40:00 Key take‑aways Links & resources • Jordan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbutlerengineering/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbutlerengineering/) • Video: Dangers of Mooring Line Snapback – https://youtu.be/AHMdYf7XL14 (https://youtu.be/AHMdYf7XL14) • Demo: Snap Back Arrestor by TIMM Ropes – https://youtu.be/ULmn6tJO7Lk (https://youtu.be/ULmn6tJO7Lk) Support the show • Follow and rate us – it really helps new listeners find the podcast. • Try VoiceInspect.ai (beta wait‑list) → voiceinspect.ai Credits Podcast Studio - https://www.instagram.com/nevverlandstudios/Editor - Austin Grader - https://nevverlandstudios.com/

15. 

    1 Apr 2025

    Episode 1 – Behind the Boorloo Bridges: Automation, Engineering, and Honest Lessons with Brent Burgess

    In this premiere episode of Structural Intelligence, host Owen Keenan sits down with Brent Burgess, Senior Principal Technologist at WSP, to unpack the real-world role of automation in structural engineering. Brent shares his experience working on the Swan River Pedestrian Bridges (Boorloo Bridges) in Perth — a complex project featuring curved geometry, angled piers, and cable-stay structures. He discusses how automation played a key role in solving design challenges and how custom scripting helped manage geometric complexity with precision. 💬 Other highlights from the episode: When automation adds value — and when it doesn’t Dealing with failure in coding (and the reward of persistence) Why documenting your scripts and workflows really matters Tips for engineers starting out with Revit, Dynamo, and Grasshopper The future of automation and AI in structural engineering Whether you’re already deep in digital tools or just exploring what’s possible, this conversation delivers practical insights and honest stories from someone working at the edge of engineering innovation. 🎧 Subscribe now and join us on the journey toward smarter structures.

Who has been a guest on Structural Intelligence Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Stijn Jansen
• Raj Aseervatham
• Ethan Ow
• Stevan Lukic
• Sebastian Masset

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

8,307

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

32

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.