Analysis
Structural Verification
Hand calcs checked against Robot and Excel
Abbas Saleh
Civil Engineering Student
Autodesk Certified User — Revit
Civil Engineering Student — Toronto Metropolitan University
Structural verification · Steel framing · Hand calculation checked against software
About
I'm a second-year Civil Engineering student at Toronto Metropolitan University (BEng, expected 2029), focused on structural engineering. I've worked on site with a design-build firm, tying rebar, building formwork and placing concrete, and as a project coordinator on a 182-unit mixed-use development, working between the structural, civil, geotechnical, planning and landscape consultants.
Outside class I build verification packages: I check a structure by hand, in a spreadsheet and in analysis software, chase down every difference between them, and issue drawings and models under revision control. My first package was reviewed by a practising P.Eng. Tools: Robot Structural Analysis, Mathcad Prime, Excel, AutoCAD and Revit (Autodesk Certified User).
Drafting
Drafting & Modelling
AutoCAD drawings, Revit models and schedules
Field
Site Experience
Reinforced concrete construction and project coordination
Robot Structural Analysis
Mathcad Prime
Excel
AutoCAD
Revit
Maintenance Platform — Structural Verification
Self-directed project · October 2026 · Reviewed by S. Azoubaidy, P.Eng.
R0 issued for P.Eng. review · R1 in progress
Revit 3D model
1 of 6 drawings
3Independent verification methods
≤1.7%Max difference between methods
6.0 × 3.0 mSteel platform
1,298 kgSteel take-off
A 6.0 m × 3.0 m steel maintenance platform (W310 beams, W150 joists, HSS posts, L-angle X-bracing), checked for gravity loads by three independent methods: hand calculation in Mathcad, a parametric Excel workbook and a 3D Robot model. Drawn in AutoCAD and modelled in Revit, with a material take-off and a review register. Issued for review to S. Azoubaidy, P.Eng.; revision R1 (tension-only bracing and guard lateral loads) in progress. Student exercise: elastic analysis only, not a CSA S16 design.
Key highlights
- Beam and joist results agreed within 0.1% across Mathcad, Excel and Robot.
- Traced a 1.7% post-load difference to bracing self-weight, and found the X-bracing carrying about 4.9 kN of gravity load.
- Found the long braces over the slenderness limit (L/r ≈ 537 vs 300), so specified a bolted crossing and tension-only bracing.
- Caught a modelling error from the Revit schedule (braces modelled as W-sections) and corrected it. The take-off matched the Revit volumes within 2.3%.
Three-way comparison (AS-P1-RPT-001, R0)
| Quantity | Unit | Mathcad | Excel | Robot | Robot vs hand | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J1 factored moment, Mf | kN·m | 13.51 | 13.52 | 13.51 | 0.0% | – |
| J1 factored shear, Vf | kN | 18.02 | 18.02 | 18.02 | 0.0% | – |
| J1 service deflection | mm | 3.56 | 3.56 | 3.56 | 0.0% | 8.33 |
| B1 factored moment, Mf | kN·m | 78.70 | 78.70 | 78.69 | 0.0% | – |
| B1 factored shear, Vf | kN | 35.96 | 35.96 | 35.95 | 0.0% | – |
| B1 service deflection | mm | 10.72 | 10.72 | 10.72 | 0.0% | 16.67 |
| C1 factored axial load | kN | 46.03 | 46.03 | 46.83 | +1.7% | – |
| C1 Euler buckling load, Pcr | kN | 1,546 | 1,546 | Not run | – | – |
The C1 difference comes from about 2.6 kN of bracing self-weight that only the Robot model includes. Comparison criterion: 2%.
Design basis
- Members
- B1 W310×39 (6.0 m, simply supported) · J1 W150×22 at 1.5 m (3.0 m) · C1 HSS127×127×6.4 (3.0 m, pinned, K = 1.0) · BR1 L64×64×6.4 X-bracing, all four sides
- Loads
- Dead 0.5 kPa grating + self-weight · Live 4.8 kPa (assumed) · Equipment 10 kN at midspan of each B1 (assumed)
- Combinations
- ULS 1.25D + 1.5L · SLS D + L · Deflection L/360 (assumed)
- Material
- CSA G40.21 350W (assumed) · E = 200,000 MPa
- Scope
- Elastic analysis only. CSA S16 resistances, lateral-torsional buckling, connections and guard lateral load not yet checked.
Experience
Construction and engineering roles in the GTA, newest first.
Latest
Bay & York Development Group
Project Coordinator
- Primary point of contact across five consulting disciplines (structural, civil, geotechnical, planning, landscape) and legal counsel on a mixed-use development in Vaughan: five- and six-storey buildings, ~182 residential and seniors-living units, 15,400 sq. ft. commercial
- When the City of Vaughan raised concerns with the existing retaining wall, coordinated drawing reviews and technical correspondence with the structural consultant (Gravity Engineering); helped advance the adopted solution, integrating the retaining function into the underground parking structure and eliminating a separate replacement wall
- Tracked consultant deliverables, municipal comments and design revisions across multiple submission cycles; issued agendas and action logs, closing each item with the responsible licensed professional
Zee Design & Build Inc.
Engineering Intern
- Followed the principal P.Eng. through beam and slab calculations for a medical building, then saw the slab built on site
- Tied reinforcing steel, built formwork, and placed and finished concrete for the slab under site safety procedures
- Revised interior renovation plans in AutoCAD under the P.Eng.'s direction
Skills & Tools
Analysis
- Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis
- Mathcad Prime
- Excel
- Hand-calculation verification
Drafting & Modelling
- AutoCAD
- Revit
Certifications
- Autodesk Certified User — Revit (2026)
- Working at Heights (Ontario)
- Worker Health & Safety Awareness
- WHMIS
Education
B.Eng. Civil Engineering
Toronto Metropolitan University · Expected April 2029
Relevant coursework
Get in touch
Seeking a structural engineering co-op, May 2027.