Date: |
21 Oct 2025, 1.00PM – 5.00PM |
duration: |
4 hrs |
Venue: |
Engineering New Zealand |
Address: |
Level 6/40 Taranaki Street Wellington |
Cost: |
Free event |
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.
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, Health & Safety, and Housekeeping.
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.
See 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.
Explore the progression of structural design from manual modelling 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 – 15:30 | Networking & Tea Break
Refresh, connect, and exchange ideas with peers and industry leaders.
15:30 – 16:15 | Detailed Analysis of Dams using FEA NX and the Enduring Role of Engineering Judgement
Presented by Graham Roberts', Practice Leader (Dams), 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.
Examine slope performance under static, seismic, and seepage conditions using Limit Equilibrium (LEM) and Finite Element (FEM) in 2D or 3D, with insights on NZGS guidelines for slope assessments.
16:45 – 17:00 | Q&A and Closing
Bring your questions, share your thoughts, and wrap up with key takeaways.
FEATURING INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Graham Robert
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 United States of America, the Taupō Control Gates in New Zealand, and the Fraser Arch Dam in Otago.
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 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.
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.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
🎓 CPD Hours - Record your learnings and up to 4 CPD hours from this event to boost your professional development records
💻 Full MIDAS Suite Access - Receive complimentary access to the full MIDAS Suite with the purchase of any MIDAS product
🤝 Personalised Support - Enjoy complimentary customised 1:1 training sessions designed for all attendees
If you tick the consent box, we will share your name, company and email with the event partner for the agreed purpose. They must protect your information and use it only for this purpose. Where information has already been shared with a partner, you will need to contact the partner directly to withdraw your consent.
Discover how cutting-edge MIDAS software is shaping the next generation of structural and geotechnical projects in New Zealand. MIDAS IT empowers engineers with advanced tools to design smarter, safer, and more efficient infrastructure solutions.
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.
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, Health & Safety, and Housekeeping.
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.
See 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.
Explore the progression of structural design from manual modelling 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 – 15:30 | Networking & Tea Break
Refresh, connect, and exchange ideas with peers and industry leaders.
15:30 – 16:15 | Detailed Analysis of Dams using FEA NX and the Enduring Role of Engineering Judgement
Presented by Graham Roberts', Practice Leader (Dams), 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.
Examine slope performance under static, seismic, and seepage conditions using Limit Equilibrium (LEM) and Finite Element (FEM) in 2D or 3D, with insights on NZGS guidelines for slope assessments.
16:45 – 17:00 | Q&A and Closing
Bring your questions, share your thoughts, and wrap up with key takeaways.
FEATURING INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Graham Robert
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 United States of America, the Taupō Control Gates in New Zealand, and the Fraser Arch Dam in Otago.
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 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.
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.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE
🎓 CPD Hours - Record your learnings and up to 4 CPD hours from this event to boost your professional development records
💻 Full MIDAS Suite Access - Receive complimentary access to the full MIDAS Suite with the purchase of any MIDAS product
🤝 Personalised Support - Enjoy complimentary customised 1:1 training sessions designed for all attendees
If you tick the consent box, we will share your name, company and email with the event partner for the agreed purpose. They must protect your information and use it only for this purpose. Where information has already been shared with a partner, you will need to contact the partner directly to withdraw your consent.
