DailyCADCAM editor sat down with Josh Taylor, Vice President, Structural Engineering, Bentley Systems, during his recent visit to Mumbai (Bentley Illuminate Conference 2025) to explore Bentley’s vision for structural engineering in India, the evolving demands of the profession, and the role technology plays in shaping the next generation of infrastructure.

Q: Can you walk us through your professional journey and how you began working in structural engineering software?

Josh Taylor: My academic foundation lies in civil engineering, with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the discipline. During my postgraduate studies, I served as a research assistant, where I was introduced to structural engineering software development. This exposure to programming and applied engineering sparked a passion for combining structural design with technology. I began my career practicing as a structural engineer in Seattle, where I worked on building design projects.

Eventually, I joined RAM International, a structural analysis and design software company. When RAM was acquired by Bentley Systems, I transitioned into a product management role and gradually moved into leadership. Today, I lead a global team of around 165 professionals, overseeing our structural analysis solutions, which include STAAD, RAM, SACS, MOSES, AutoPIPE, and ADINA.

Q: From your perspective, what trends are shaping structural engineering in 2025 and beyond?

Josh Taylor: The structural engineering profession is undergoing a transformation driven by demands for faster project delivery, cost and material optimization, and environmental responsibility. Clients and governments increasingly expect projects to be completed with greater efficiency while meeting the highest standards of safety and quality. As a result, engineers are adopting digital tools to streamline their workflows. At Bentley, our software incorporates design automation and intelligent optimization features that help engineers minimize material usage and reduce overdesign—directly contributing to sustainability goals.

Q: You mentioned an integrated toolset in your presentation in Bentley Illuminate 2025 Mumbai. What does that mean for engineers using Bentley’s structural software?

Josh Taylor: Our integrated toolset is designed to provide structural engineers with a seamless environment across various stages and types of structural design. STAAD.Pro remains our flagship for structural analysis, complemented by RAM for building design, SACS for offshore structures, and ADINA for advanced simulations such as nonlinear and dynamic analysis. These tools interoperate through both direct integrations and the Analytical iTwin format, , allowing engineers to work more efficiently and reduce redundancy. The goal is to ensure that every stage of a project—from initial concept to detailed analysis and final documentation—is well supported by a cohesive software ecosystem.

Q: What’s Bentley’s role in India’s infrastructure boom, and can you share some notable projects?

Josh Taylor: India’s infrastructure sector is growing rapidly, particularly in urban development, transportation, and water management. One exemplary project is the Coronation Pillar Wastewater Treatment Plant in Delhi, designed by L&T Construction. Using STAAD.Pro, their team was able to optimize the design of massive concrete tanks, reducing material usage and land footprint. Projects like this highlight how our software enables engineers to make informed, sustainable choices that directly influence how cities are built and function.

Q: Is Bentley doing anything specific to support Indian design codes and regulations?

Josh Taylor: Yes, we are fully committed to supporting Indian standards. Our structural tools are regularly updated to align with IS codes such as IS 456 for concrete and IS 800 for steel design. We also stay abreast of updates, such as the latest provisions for steel detailing. This ensures that Indian engineers can rely on our software to deliver fully compliant designs without needing workarounds or third-party modifications.

Q: How is Bentley supporting modern construction techniques like prefabrication?

Josh Taylor: While we do not currently offer a standalone solution tailored exclusively for prefabrication, engineers are effectively leveraging STAAD Pro for modular and off-site construction, particularly in steel design. We see growing interest in prefabrication across global markets, and we’re closely monitoring developments to ensure our tools evolve to meet those needs as the industry matures in that direction.

Q: Sustainability is a major global concern. How is Bentley addressing it in structural engineering?

Josh Taylor: Sustainability is central to our design philosophy. Our software is engineered to help reduce material consumption through optimized structural analysis. Tools like ADINA enable performance-based design, which is particularly valuable for seismic-prone regions. Understanding how a structure behaves under various stress conditions allows engineers to design more resilient and resource-efficient buildings. This not only helps reduce embodied carbon but also extends the lifecycle of critical infrastructure.

Q: What role does AI play in Bentley’s structural software roadmap?

Josh Taylor: Artificial intelligence is beginning to play a supportive role in structural engineering. One of our recent innovations is an AI-powered documentation assistant within STAAD Pro—essentially a smart co-pilot trained on our technical documentation, designed to help users find answers quickly and efficiently. We’re also cautiously exploring AI applications in structural optimization, ensuring that these tools enhance rather than replace engineering judgment. Structural integrity is too important to leave solely in the hands of automation; AI should be a guide, not a substitute.

Q: What’s new in Bentley’s STAAD and RAM portfolio that users can look forward to?

Josh Taylor: A major highlight is the release of STAAD Foundation Advanced2025, which introduces physical modeling, more sophisticated design optimization, more thorough reporting, parallel processing, and better integration with digital twin workflows. These improvements significantly accelerate design iterations and enhance usability. Our roadmap focuses on reducing the time from model creation to actionable design decisions, all while enabling greater transparency and accuracy in engineering.

Q: Bentley software is used globally. How do you ensure interoperability with tools from other vendors?
Josh Taylor: Interoperability is a cornerstone of our development philosophy. Through the iTwin Analytical Synchronizer, engineers can exchange data between Bentley tools and even third-party platforms. We also offer APIs that allow users to create custom integrations—for example, linking STAAD models with Excel-based workflows or bespoke data environments. This flexibility ensures our users can fit Bentley tools into a wide range of design ecosystems.

Q: India faces challenges like earthquakes and extreme weather. How can Bentley tools help in resilience and retrofitting?

Josh Taylor: Resilience is a growing focus, particularly in regions exposed to seismic and climate-related risks. ADINA enables detailed nonlinear analysis to simulate how structures respond under stress, which is critical for retrofitting older or vulnerable buildings. We have integrated ADINA into our broader Structural WorkSuite, allowing engineers to elevate STAAD models for higher fidelity analysis without needing to recreate them from scratch. Engineers can now use ADINA’s feature set within Structural WorkSuite and don’t need a separate license.

Q: What’s your view on the role of AI and automation in structural engineering jobs, any suggestions to young professionals?

Josh Taylor: AI will enhance the work of structural engineers but won’t replace the need for human expertise. For young professionals, it’s critical to master core engineering principles and concepts without an overreliance on software and technology. Programming skills are increasingly valuable and will open up new possibilities. Communication is another critical skill—engineers who can clearly explain their impact on society will play key roles in shaping public perception and policy. We need ambassadors for the structural engineering profession—people who can inspire and educate, much like public figures do in other sciences.

Q: How can young engineers get started with Bentley software?

Josh Taylor: We offer free educational licenses for students and maintain a comprehensive YouTube channel with tutorials tailored for beginners. Our academic program also supports universities with free software, research tools, and resources. The goal is to equip students not only with technical skills but also with a deeper understanding of how to apply them in real-world scenarios.

Q: Finally, what is Bentley’s long-term vision for structural engineering?

Josh Taylor: Our vision is to provide integrated, intelligent tools that support the entire lifecycle of infrastructure—from conceptual design through construction, operation, and eventual renewal. We’re investing in digital twin technology, advanced analysis like that offered by ADINA, and AI-powered features to help engineers make better decisions faster. Ultimately, we want to empower structural engineers to create infrastructure that is not only efficient and resilient but also sustainable and future-ready.