How UK & Ireland Engineers Work Smarter with MIDAS #2

Content Overview

How are UK bridge engineers using MIDAS in real project workflows?

Filmed during our London onsite seminar, this interview features Matthew Baxman, Associate Director at Hewson Consulting Engineers, who shared how MIDAS is used across bridge and infrastructure engineering projects.

Matthew discusses the challenges of managing larger and more complex projects, why Hewson has used MIDAS for many years, and how MIDAS supports analysis and design workflows for prestressed concrete bridges, composite bridges, temporary works, and wider infrastructure projects.

Interview with Matthew Baxman, Hewson Consulting Engineers

Q1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your company?

A. My name is Matthew Baxman, and I am an Associate Director at Hewson Consulting Engineers.

We are a small infrastructure-focused structural design firm with a strong emphasis on bridges, but we also tackle a wide range of projects across the infrastructure sector.

Q2. What is your main role and main responsibility?

A. I am an Associate Director. My main role is project-focused, managing and delivering projects.

I also lead the technology development side of the business, helping improve how we use engineering tools and workflows.

Q3. Why did you choose MIDAS in your workflow over other options?

A. We have actually used MIDAS for a very long time.

We believe it is the best all-encompassing bridge design software for our work, as it has the core features we need for the type of projects we deliver.

Q4. How is MIDAS currently being used in your company?

A. We use MIDAS throughout the whole firm.

All of our engineers are experienced in MIDAS, and we use it across a wide variety of projects, from smaller temporary works to large-scale global analysis. So, it is very wide-reaching in terms of how we use it.

Q5. Can you share any strong features that you like about using MIDAS?

A. A lot of the core work we do is around bridges.

We work on many prestressed concrete bridges and composite bridges, and MIDAS has a lot of functionality specific to those types of structures. That is a real strength for us, and we can utilize those features for both analysis and design work.

Q6. What are the biggest challenges you face in your workflow?

A. For us, the challenges come with the increasing scale of projects.

We need to ensure accurate and consistent modelling, particularly as projects become more complex. Another challenge is training staff so they can work effectively across the different software tools we use.

Q7. Did you face any difficulties while using MIDAS?

A. Yes, I think the challenge we are trying to overcome now is with data input.

When we have large amounts of data and a lot of complexity, getting those inputs accurately can be challenging, whether it is tendons, large numbers of loads, or other project data. Those are the challenges we still face.

Q8. Did you get good support from MIDAS?

A. Yes, we do.

We have a good relationship with MIDAS. They help us understand new features, and there is also a feedback portal we can use when we have questions or need support.

Q9. How would you describe MIDAS in one sentence?

A. All-encompassing bridge analysis and design software.

Q10. Would you recommend MIDAS to others?

A. Yes, I would definitely.