The Impact of Technology in Steel Connections
An interview with Nick van der Kreek ahead of World Engineering Day.
Tom Malloy
Structural Engineer
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As World Engineering Day approaches (4th of March 2025), we celebrate the minds shaping the built environment. Engineering isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about pushing boundaries, refining designs, and discovering smarter ways to build the world around us.
At BuildingPoint, we value these brilliant minds and are fortunate to have many of them within our business, driving innovation in construction technology and design.
Nick van der Kreek, our in-house steel connections specialist brings over 35 years of experience in engineering. His career spans two distinct eras of the industry. He fondly recalls watching his father, a structural engineer in the 1970s, standing over old-school drafting boards, meticulously working through calculations and hand-drawn designs. Today, Nick consults engineering clients using advanced software that can analyse, design, and code-check connections, cross-sections, and members in minutes—revolutionising the way steel structures are designed.
We were eager to ask Nick about some of the cornerstones of his engineering career, the challenges engineers faced in the early days of his work. We also chat to Nick about how technology like IDEA StatiCa is transforming the industry today.
The Evolution of Steel Connection Design
In 2009, the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) published the Design Capacity Tables for Structural Steel Volume 4: Rigid Connections, a guide that has since become a key reference for structural engineers. Nick was a contributor to the publication.
“I worked closely with Tim Hogan, an eminent engineer who is well known in the Australian steel design field, and software developer Richard Collins. Tim was responsible for developing and updating the empirical models for limit state design, compiling global research, and setting the framework for the publication. My role focused on the numbers—expanding the design tables and calculations.”
One of the key challenges at the time was extending the range of connection designs to cover welded sections. Earlier connection design guides, particularly those from the 1980s and 1990s, had a limited scope, covering a narrower range of steel sizes. However, with the evolution of steel fabrication, the industry saw a significant expansion in available steel sections, particularly welded beams and columns.
“There were no standardised connection designs for these new steel sections,” van der Kreek notes. “So, our task was to expand the models and tables to accommodate this wider range. Additionally, from my own experience in design projects, I knew that existing tables didn’t account for variations in member angle—for example, in portal frame rafter connections. We introduced new tables to address these variations, which added complexity in terms of trigonometry and calculations, but was necessary for practical application.”
Beyond numerical challenges, the team also had to ensure that the updates aligned with evolving design codes while maintaining sound engineering principles.
“We had to be careful to apply sensible engineering judgment when extending the principles to a wider range of sections and new code requirements,” he says.
The Continued Importance of Established Principles
We asked Nick if he believes the publication has stood the test of time.
“I still hear engineers referring to these methods and tables in their work today,” he says. “While modern software has taken things another step forward, many of the fundamental principles we established remain relevant. Engineers continue to use these references as a foundation for connection design.”
When asked if outdated practices from the past are still in use today and might need reconsideration, Nick highlights that while standards and guides have been designed to simplify complex engineering tasks, modern software now allows for more detailed and accurate analyses.
“Earlier standards provided a practical methodology for engineers, simplifying certain aspects so they could tackle design challenges without diving into first principles. However, with advanced software, we can now gain deeper insights into structural behaviour. Some of the simplifications in these standards could be updated to reflect today’s capabilities.”
Nick adds that the current review of the standards aims to offer engineers the option of using simpler methods if preferred, while also allowing access to more advanced methodologies enabled by modern technology.
The Role of Component Based Finite Element Modelling (CBFEM) In Structural Engineering
When asked about the emerging technologies making the biggest impact on steel connection design, Nick points to Component Based Finite Element Modelling (CBFEM), a technology that has been integrated into IDEA StatiCa for the past eight years.
“CBFEM allows for a much more detailed analysis of steel connections than what was previously practical for typical engineers,” Nick explains. “Before this, finite element analysis was primarily used in specialised fields like aircraft design or forensic engineering. Apart from complex and critical connections, it wasn’t widely adopted in structural steel design for buildings. But with IDEA StatiCa, this advanced technology has been simplified and customised so that structural engineers can use it in their daily work.
This technology gives engineers powerful tools to better understand their connections—whether by quickly identifying issues and optimising solutions or refining the economy of their design by adjusting elements like member sizes and welds. Ultimately, it allows for faster, more accurate, and more efficient connection design.”
Optimising Steel Connection Design: How IDEA StatiCa Enhances Value Engineering and Reduces Project Costs
When asked how solutions like IDEA StatiCa add to the value engineering process and save projects money, Nick explains that advanced tools allow engineers to gain a much deeper understanding of connection behaviour.
“With IDEA StatiCa, engineers can see how a connection behaves under load—whether it’s deflecting or rotating more than desired, for example,” Nick says.
“This lets them identify areas that may be over-designed or failing and make quick adjustments to optimise the design. In the past, engineers relied on empirical solutions or spreadsheets, which didn’t provide the visual feedback necessary to fully understand the behaviour of the entire connection.
By having this level of insight and the ability to reanalyse designs quickly, engineers can make more informed decisions, resulting in better efficiency, reduced material costs, and ultimately, saving money on the project.”
When asked about AI in steel engineering, Nick acknowledges that while AI is all the buzz in the zeitgeist, he hasn’t yet seen it make a major impact in his field.
“I think in the short term, AI will likely work alongside engineers as an advanced tool or assistant,” Nick explains. “It might support engineers in tasks like parametric design, where standard connection types can be saved and applied to different situations. For example, it can calculate the size and orientation of beams, decide where stiffeners should go, or determine appropriate dimensions. Some of our software is already incorporating these capabilities.”
However, Nick adds that, for now, AI remains a complement to human expertise, and the future of its role in the industry is still unfolding.
Digital Workflows and 3D Modelling: How IDEA StatiCa is Enhancing Collaboration and Reducing Errors
On whether engineers are now sharing more detailed connection models with drafters, Nick says he’s seeing a shift in that direction.
“We’re hearing from customers who are doing exactly that because the software enables it,” he explains. “With digital workflows, engineers can now upload 3D connection models, rotate and inspect them online, and import them into other modelling software. Tools like IDEA StatiCa have made it easier to model and share complex connections in detail—something that previously relied on 2D elevations and manual interpretation by drafters.”
When asked whether this reduces errors, Nick agrees. “Absolutely. Digital sharing speeds up the process and improves accuracy—there’s much less room for misinterpretation, making the whole workflow far more efficient.”
Nick also reflected on how advanced software is giving engineers greater control over optimising designs.
“The software allows designers to fine-tune connections far more than before. It’s highly visual—offering coloured views, 3D perspectives, and multiple ways to analyse results—which is quite revolutionary,” he explains.
Minimising Material Use and Reducing Labour Costs
Beyond precision, he sees a bigger opportunity for engineers to address industry-wide challenges like cost, sustainability, and efficiency. “We all know the pressures facing projects, from minimising material use to reducing labour costs—especially here in Australia, where fabrication rates can be higher compared to regions like Southeast Asia. Advanced tools give engineers the power to optimise connections, cut unnecessary welding, and ultimately make Australian steelwork more economical and competitive.”
He adds that these improvements go beyond cost savings. “Less welding also means fewer fumes in the workshop, which is better for boilermakers’ health. Engineers are now in a fantastic position to contribute not just to project efficiency, but to broader industry and societal benefits.”
Advice for Future Structural Engineers
For those starting their careers in structural connections, Nick emphasises the importance of both technical understanding and creative problem-solving.
“If you’re working in this space, you’ll likely be involved in different stages of a steel structure’s lifecycle. Developing a strong understanding of how both the structure and its connections behave is key to delivering fit-for-purpose solutions,” he says.
He also encourages young engineers to look beyond standard guidelines. “Codes and standards provide a solid foundation, but there’s always room to think outside the box—especially when tackling complex challenges. Embracing collaboration, seeking input from colleagues, and applying innovative thinking can make a real difference in achieving the best outcomes.”
The team at BuildingPoint are beyond grateful for Nick’s continued contributions to IDEA StatiCa’s advancements in steel connection design. In celebrating World Engineering Day, we extend our gratitude to the broader engineering team that drive BuildingPoint’s innovation. We are committed to transforming the future of digital construction, and this is made possible due to their expertise.
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