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From Field to Insight:
MIDAS Workshop with Engineering New Zealand
   
🗓️Tuesday, 21st October 2025
⏰1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (NZDT)
📍In-person: Kopa Room, Engineering New Zealand, Level 6, 40 Taranaki Street, Wellington
💻Online: Streaming via Zoom
💲Free Participation
Overview

Smarter Engineering Starts Here! 

 

How do you design civil infrastructures that are not only safe and efficient but also future-ready? This seminar covers how MIDAS software’s empower engineers in structural design for Bridges, Buildings, Dams, and Geotechnical projects.

 

Learn from real-world case studies presented by experts from HOLMES, STANTEC, and MIDAS, to see how practical solutions are transforming structural and geotechnical engineering across New Zealand. From improving collaboration to solving complex design challenges, MIDAS solutions turn engineering vision into reality.

 

Join us for a forward-looking discussion on innovation, resilience, and the future of engineering excellence.

 

 


Register now →
Key Takeaways

🏗️ Bridge Engineering

   -  Explore practical solutions to real-world challenges for bridges in New Zealand

   - Understand nonlinear behaviour of bridge structures under critical loads and staged construction

    - Apply FEM-based detailed modelling to capture realistic structural performance beyond standard code checks

 

🏢 Smarter Building Design

  - Examine seismic analysis, pushover evaluation and performance-based design techniques

  - Gain insight into the critical role of soil-structure interaction in building performance

 

⚙️Design Automation & API Integration

  - Discover automation workflows using APIs to enhance design efficiency

  - Utilise automation to reduce repetitive tasks and accelerate the path from modelling to design reports


🏔️ Geotechnical Solutions

  - Compare LEM and FEM Strength Reduction methods for slope stability assessment

  - Review NZGS guidelines and advanced practices for slope-seepage coupling and long-term stability

  - Manage local failure modes using practical, field-relevant techniques


🏞️ Dams & Advanced FEA Applications

  - Investigate crack simulation and seismic response for new and existing dams

  - Understand stress concentration, nonlinear material behaviour, and fatigue effects in design validation

Who Should Attend

This workshop is designed for professionals seeking practical engineering solutions, with a focus beyond software demonstrations:

 

- Bridge and Building Structural engineers seeking advanced solutions and practical, real-world applications

- Geotechnical and Dam engineers interested in FEM, LEM, and seismic analysis techniques

- Design managers, Technical directors, and Team leads aiming to streamline workflows and enhance team efficiency

- Asset owners, Asset Managers & Councils looking for practical insights into tools for assessment, management & design.

- Contractors seeking value engineering and design optimisation.

Sessions & Topics
  • 13:00 - 13:30

    Welcome, Registration, H&S, and Housekeeping 👤 Luke Pirie, Engineering New Zealand.
    ✏️ Check in, grab your badge, and connect with fellow engineers before the sessions begin.

  • 13:30 - 14:00

    Introduction to MIDAS IT & Innovative Software Solutions 👤 Presented by Edmond Kim, Director, MIDAS IT Australia.
    ✨ Discover MIDAS IT’s journey, global presence, and leading software solutions helping shape the future of engineering.

  • 14:00 - 14:30

    Improving Bridge Analysis Efficiency: API-Driven Workflows in MIDAS CIVIL NX 👤 Presented by Willem Stolk, Project Engineer, Holmes NZ LP.
    ✨ Discover how MIDAS CIVIL NX integrates with Grasshopper and Excel to enable smarter, faster, and automated bridge design workflows.

  • 14:30 - 15:00

    Evolution of Structural Designs: From Traditional to Innovative Methodologies 👤 Presented by Pranav Vaishampayam, Structural Engineer, MIDAS IT Australia.
    ✨ See how structural design has progressed from manual modeling to advanced tools, and discover what the future holds with next-generation automation.

  • 15:00 - 15:15

    Simplifying Seismic Analysis for Buildings with MIDAS GEN 👤 Presented by Pranav Vaishampayam, Structural Engineer, MIDAS IT Australia.
    ✨ Learn how to carry out seismic analysis with MIDAS GEN for accurate and reliable structural design.

  • 15:15 - 15:45

    Networking & Tea Break 🍵 Refresh, connect, and exchange ideas with peers and industry leaders.

  • 15:45 - 16:15

    Detailed Analysis of Dams using FEA NX and Enduring Role of Engineering Judgement 👤 Presented by Graham Roberts, Practice Leader (Dams) at Stantec Australia.
    ✨ Learn how to efficiently perform seismic analysis with MIDAS GEN for accurate and efficient structural design.

  • 16:15 - 16:45

    Static and Seismic Slope Stability Assessment with Limit Equilibrium and Numerical Approaches 👤 Presented by Harsha Tadavarthi, Geotechnical Team Leader, MIDAS IT Australia.
    ✨ Slope stability assessment examines slope performance under static, seismic, and seepage conditions using methods such as Limit Equilibrium (LEM) and Finite Element (FEM) in 2D or 3D with highlights on NZGS guidelines for Slope Assessments.

  • 16:45 - 17:00

    Q&A & Closing ❓Bring your questions, share your thoughts, and wrap up with key takeaways.

In-Person & Online

💻Online:  Live streaming via Zoom - link provided 1 week before the event date.

📍In-Person:  Kopa Room, Engineering New Zealand, Level 6, 40 Taranaki St, Wellington.

💲Free Participation

Featuring Industry Experts
Roberts, Graham_A

Graham Roberts
Practical Leader (DAMS) | STANTEC Australia Pty Ltd.
Graham is a dam engineering specialist with broad experience across civil, structural, and geotechnical works. He has led major international projects, including the Yusufeli Arch Dam in Turkey, the Gross Dam Raise in the USA, the Taupō Control Gates in New Zealand, and the Fraser Arch Dam in Otago.
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Willem Stolk
Project Engineer | HOLMES NZ LP

Willem is a Chartered Professional bridge engineer with 10 years of experience in analysis, design, and construction monitoring of pedestrian, road, and rail bridges across South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Based in New Zealand, he has led notable projects, including the Kaitoke Flume Bridge, Takutimu North Link, Highgate Bridge, and the Auckland Transport Modular Bridge.

harsha
Harsha Tadavarthi
Geotech Team Lead | MIDAS IT Australia
With over 8+ years of industry experience. He specializes in advanced numerical modeling and provides expert support for geotechnical and structural analysis across dams, hydropower, underground tunnels, mining, and other critical infrastructure projects. He leads seamless delivery of support services, ensuring industry-leading support and innovation in geotechnical modeling. Through consultancy, training, and international workshops, he empowers professionals with both practical insights and theoretical in geotechnical industry.
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Pranav Vaishampayan
Structural Lead l MIDAS IT Australia

Pranav Vaishampayan is the Structural Lead at MIDAS IT Australia, specializing in advanced analysis and innovation. He supports engineers worldwide through technical guidance, training, and webinars, while also streamlining workflows by automating complex tasks. With global experience across the UK, Europe, India, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, Pranav continues to deliver impactful engineering solutions.