The future of structural engineering design isn’t what you think.

And it's staring us right in the face.

While many anticipate that artificial intelligence (AI) will soon transform structural design, the current landscape tells a different story. Despite technological advancements, many structural engineers still grapple with traditional workflows that are both time-consuming and prone to errors.

Here are some undeniable truths:

• Structural engineering workflows are drowning in spreadsheets - too many tabs, scattered formulas, and repeated data entry.
• Version control is a nightmare - one tiny cell change can derail an entire project.
• Building codes evolve constantly, yet many teams struggle to keep spreadsheets up to date.
• Each mistake can spiral into costly rework or liability issues.

But first - how do big firms solve this?

Large engineering companies often rely on dedicated Excel or software teams and substantial budgets to maintain centralized spreadsheets or build custom software for engineering calculations. Smaller firms or solo contractors don't have that luxury - so many remain stuck using spreadsheets.

We call this "Spreadsheet Stress" because the stakes are high (public safety, code compliance), the complexity is intense (loads, combos, materials), and the system is fragile. One wrong formula can undermine days or weeks of work. It's a hidden "stress tax" you pay every time you re-check or re-enter data to keep pace with project changes.

Your job doesn't need more tedious data wrangling

Instead of juggling half a dozen spreadsheets, imagine a single platform where code compliance is handled automatically, every calculation is transparent, and changes ripple through your design without a hitch. That's the sort of modern, integrated environment that engineering teams like Criterium Engineers, Brittell Architecture, and Kusch Consulting, now rely on.

What to look for in your next structural design tool

Automatic code updates

Manually updating spreadsheets for new code editions is time-consuming, error-prone, and requires you to stay on top of every regulation change. The ideal solution should not only integrate the latest standards but also keep you informed when code revisions occur—ensuring you’re always working with compliant data.

What to check: Does the tool seamlessly adopt each new version of IBC, NDS, or AISC? Does it notify or educate you about any relevant updates so you’re never caught off guard?

Jim Fanjoy of Brittell Architecture describes this mindset change from not having to worry about code update ever again.

“We have traditionally been hesitant to sign up for a subscription-based software. I was also worried that I would hate losing a degree of control over the files, given the software is cloud-based. But it hasn’t been a problem, and I appreciate that the software is constantly updated with the latest code information.”

Full transparency in calculations

Engineering liability is huge—and it’s not enough just to see where the loads and factors are coming from. You also need to understand exactly how the analysis arrives at each design check, including the specific formula or code clause referenced. This ensures your team can justify decisions, spot errors early, and build trust with clients and regulators.

What to check: Does the tool provide a step-by-step breakdown that references the relevant code clause or equation? Can you quickly track how each load is transformed into final design checks without hunting through dense documentation?

Jim also appreciates the educational benefit he gains from using the reference mode in ClearCalcs calculators.

“ClearCalcs clearly shows what's happening in the calculation, allowing me to make smarter structural design choices. I also appreciate how calculations are presented—it helps me better understand what affects the design, allowing us to create more efficient structural solutions.”

Centralized collaboration

Emailing spreadsheets back and forth or storing them on a shared drive often leads to version-control nightmares. Each time someone modifies a file, you risk overwriting data, losing important edits, or wasting hours trying to reconcile conflicting versions. On top of that, engineers end up spending precious time clarifying “what changed where,” creating a game of broken telephone that slows down projects.

What to check: Does your tool let multiple users work in real time from a single source of truth? Is there an audit trail or system that clearly shows how the calculators are updated, and when? Can team members across various locations easily collaborate without fear of overwriting someone else’s progress?

Helen Watts at Criterium Engineers points out how working from a central platform like ClearCalcs enhances her team's collaboration.​

“Criterium is really big in that nothing goes out without getting a second review. Doing the design in ClearCalcs and being able to export the printout means our calculations are legible and other engineers can review it.”

Rapid revisions & advanced productivity

Finally, late-stage design changes happen all the time—maybe the client wants to swap materials for cost reasons, or a new load case surfaces mid-project. You need a tool that not only recalculates everything instantly but also offers deeper functionality to handle real-world complexities.

What to check:

• Can you quickly explore alternative materials or cross-sections without rebuilding spreadsheets every time? Is it simple to see which choice might yield a more efficient design?
• When the design changes, do you have to manually re-enter load reactions across beams and columns, or does the tool automatically handle it?
• Does the solution educate you on the most efficient members to use so you can optimize for cost and pass those savings on to your clients?
• If your code requirements or environmental loads vary by project location, can you establish those criteria at a global or project-wide level, rather than repeating the same inputs for every single design?

Donovan Rae at Lumos & Associates highlights how being able to specify centralized defaults for company's projects save time for his team:

“Snow loads in our region vary from 30 to 500 pounds per square foot. I just update that once in the project defaults, and ClearCalcs applies it across the board.”  

Jim  offers a powerful example of real-time responsiveness of ClearCalcs when a design change occurs:

“A contractor asked us for an alternative roof system. Within 15 minutes in ClearCalcs, I had beam sizes ready, allowing the contractor to quickly price and move the project forward.”

Meanwhile, Nate Powelson from Criterium Engineers describes productivity gains from having access to automated calculations:

“Every week, we get questions like, ‘If I attach a steel beam to this old timber, how much strength do I get?’ ClearCalcs answers these in minutes, saving hours we previously spent manually calculating.”

Helen also describes the immediate visual feedback as invaluable:

“A client wanted to remove rafter ties. Nate and I jumped onto Zoom, adjusted the design, and watched ClearCalcs instantly indicate if it was viable. I love how quickly painful calculations now become easy.”

And Richard Faulkner of Kusch Consulting emphasizes load handling improvements he experiences with ClearCalcs load linking feature:

“We often introduce point loads wherever we like, and if something changes, ClearCalcs tracks it all the way down. It even flags issues, like, ‘That beam no longer works.’”

Ready to ditch "Spreadsheet Stress" for good?

By using this checklist to evaluate your structural design tool, you’ll quickly discover whether your current tool and system truly support your workflow. You can stop battling outdated spreadsheets or custom-code your own software.

When you know a tool can update codes automatically, offer transparent calculations, enable real-time collaboration, and handle design changes effortlessly, you eliminate 'Spreadsheet Stress' and ensure your tool works for you to save time, reduce mistakes, and ultimately allow you to focus on the engineering that really matters.

The result speak for themselves. Donavan explains:

“The software has made us a minimum of 30% more productive. That’s huge for fixed-fee projects—it directly impacts our bottom line.”

At ClearCalcs, our mission is simple: we believe engineers deserve a platform built explicitly to simplify how structural design gets done—so you can confidently and clearly build better, safer structures without unnecessary stress.

Stay safe, stay compliant, and focus on real engineering.

Let ClearCalcs handle the grunt work in the background so you can build with confidence—just like engineering teams in ClearCalcs community do every day.