The Structural Engineering Podcast

What does it take to move an airport terminal weighing thousands of tons or design a stadium roof that opens like a camera lens?
In this episode of The Structural Engineering Podcast, we sit down with Matt Breidenthal, Director of Engineering at HOK, to explore the engineering behind some of the world's most ambitious projects. From the massive modular construction of DFW Airport's Terminal F to the iconic retractable roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Matt shares the unique structural challenges, innovative solutions, and lessons learned along the way.
We also discuss what it takes to lead large engineering teams, coordinate complex projects, and manage the challenges that come with engineering at an extraordinary scale.
Guest Profile:
Matt Breidenthal, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, is the Director of Engineering at HOK, where he leads multidisciplinary teams on some of the firm's most complex and innovative projects. Throughout his career, Matt has helped deliver billions of dollars in construction worldwide, including notable projects such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport. His expertise includes complex structural systems, advanced computational design, and integrating engineering with architecture to deliver innovative, high-performance buildings. Based in Atlanta, Matt also serves on HOK's Board of Directors and oversees the firm's research program. He holds a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in Structural Engineering from Stanford University.

Sponsorship:
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In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to change the way buildings are designed, engineered, and permitted. We're joined by Maor Greenberg, co-founder and CEO of Spacial, a company developing AI-powered technology to automate engineering workflows and improve coordination across the building industry. We discuss how AI can help engineers move beyond traditional drawings and disconnected design software toward integrated building models that account for structural behavior, building codes, and other engineering disciplines.
We also explore the challenges of bringing AI into an industry where accuracy, safety, and professional responsibility are essential. From automating repetitive engineering tasks and identifying conflicts between building systems to understanding the role of licensed engineers in an increasingly automated design process, we discuss what this technology can realistically accomplish today and where it might take the profession in the future.
Guest Profile:
Maor Greenberg is the co-founder and CEO of Spacial, a technology company focused on AI-powered building design and engineering automation. With nearly two decades of experience in construction, architecture, and real estate development, Maor previously founded Greenberg Construction, Greenberg Design Gallery, and VRchitects. His experience delivering residential and commercial projects helped inspire Spacial's mission to simplify the process of turning architectural designs into coordinated, permit-ready construction documents.
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Spacial Technology: spacial.io/tech
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In this episode, we go inside the engineering and restart of Jeddah Tower, the megaproject designed to become the world's tallest building. We explore the structural systems behind the tower, what it takes for an engineer to step into a project of this scale, and the challenges of continuing a design that began years earlier.
We also discuss what happens when construction on a megaproject stops for years and then starts again. From evaluating the partially completed structure and reviewing original design assumptions to considering changes in codes, technology, and construction practices, we explore the engineering required to get Jeddah Tower rising again—and what engineers can learn from one of the most ambitious structural projects in the world.
Guest Profile:
John Stark, EIT, M.Eng., is a structural engineer with Thornton Tomasetti in Chicago, where he works on complex tall-building design and construction. He earned his master's degree in structural engineering from MIT, with a focus on tall buildings, structural dynamics, and computational design. John is currently part of the structural engineering team working on Jeddah Tower, contributing to ongoing design updates and construction-phase engineering as the project continues toward becoming the world's first kilometer-tall building.
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In this episode, we explore how cast steel is changing what's possible in structural connection design. We discuss the origins of CAST CONNEX, why traditional fabrication methods can struggle with complex connection geometries, and how casting can provide new opportunities for structural performance, constructability, and architectural expression.
We also break down how cast steel connections are designed and manufactured, the differences between casting and forging, and where technologies like machining and 3D printing fit into the process. Finally, we go inside the engineering of the Sphere in Las Vegas to explore how cast steel helped solve some of the project's most complex structural connection challenges.
Guest Profile:
Carlos de Oliveira, M.A.Sc., P.Eng., is the co-founder and CEO of CAST CONNEX and a recognized expert in the design and use of steel castings in building construction. The company grew out of Carlos's graduate research at the University of Toronto, where he explored using cast steel to improve structural connections, particularly for seismic applications. Today, CAST CONNEX provides standardized and custom cast steel connections for complex structures around the world, including the Sphere in Las Vegas. Carlos has received numerous awards for engineering innovation and entrepreneurship throughout his career.
Michael Gray, Ph.D., P.Eng., is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of CAST CONNEX. He earned both his bachelor's degree and Ph.D. in structural engineering from the University of Toronto, where his doctoral research focused on cast steel yielding elements for high-ductility structural systems. Michael specializes in nonlinear finite element analysis, seismic design, steel behavior, and complex connection design, and has helped advance the use of cast steel components on major projects around the world, including the Sphere in Las Vegas.
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structurEd (our free PE/SE study tool): TheEngineeringPodcast.com/structurEd
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What if structural timber could be shaped to put material exactly where it's needed? In this episode, we sit down with the team from Strong by Form to explore Woodflow, a new approach to engineered timber that combines material efficiency, structural performance, and advanced manufacturing.
We break down how Woodflow is formed, how strand length and wood grade influence its behavior, and how it compares with established mass timber products. We also get into the engineering: strength and stiffness, weight, failure modes, durability, connections, field modifications, and the testing required to bring a new structural system to market. From current applications and code approval to manufacturing scale, embodied carbon, cost, and future research, this conversation looks at what it takes to move an emerging timber technology from the lab into real structures.
Guest Profile:
Jorge Christie is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Strong by Form, where he leads the development of Woodflow, a biomimetic engineered-wood technology that combines computational design, material optimization, and advanced manufacturing. An architect with advanced degrees in computational design and digital fabrication from the University of Stuttgart and ETH Zurich, Jorge's work focuses on translating the structural efficiency found in nature into high-performance timber products for construction and other industries.
Links & Resources:
structurEd (our free PE/SE study tool): TheEngineeringPodcast.com/structurEd
https://strongbyform.com/
https://strongbyform.com/woodflow-core
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=casNqN2u
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