Brazil: Safe and Sound Structures

What’s new in Brazilian structural engineering?

Yopanan Rebello, recognized expert in the field, decries a lack of creativity. He believes engineering graduates tend to do the same things over and over. Rebello also thinks many clients shun innovation, fearing loss of cost and scheduling control. However, some push construction frontiers, use unusual materials, rely on cutting-edge design software or recycle building waste and common consumer products such as toothpaste tubes. He also laments over-reliance on computer-generated results without further analysis or manipulation. Rebello teaches students to do manual calculations to better understand the entire process, from conception to finished building.