--- title: AEC User Conference 2024 --- [![Altair Engineering Inc. logo](https://altair.com/images/default-source/default-album/footerlogo.svg) ](https://www.altair.com) [Terms of Use](https://www.siemens.com/global/en/general/terms-of-use.html) |  [Privacy Notice](https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/privacy-policy/) |  [Data Privacy Framework](https://altair.com/privacy-framework) |  [Cookie Notice](https://altair.com/cookie-notice) |  [DMCA](https://sw.siemens.com/en-US/dmca) |  [Whistleblowing](https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/about/compliance/reporting-channels.html) |  Cookie Consent © Altair Engineering Inc. All Rights Reserved. ![AEC Steel Header](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/AEC%20Steel%20Header.jpg) # AEC User Conference ## Driving Digital Transformation with Altair ### This event has ended. Please find highlights below. Structural engineers in the AEC industry face complex project requirements that demand continuous adaptation and innovation, ever-evolving code compliance, and the need for advanced technological tools that accelerate project delivery. Join Altair and an outstanding lineup of industry leaders at the AEC User Conference 2024, an in-person event designed to tackle these pressing challenges. This unique gathering will equip structural engineers, architects, and industry pioneers with cutting-edge insights and solutions, providing an unparalleled opportunity to network with the individuals shaping AEC innovation's future. Together, we'll explore ways to revolutionize projects and drive the future of AEC innovation. ## Agenda 8:30am Registration & Breakfast  9:30am Welcome & Introduction  CP Pathak & David Kirby, Altair 9:45am AEC Roadmap  Marinos Stylianou, Altair 10:05am Altair S-FRAME: New and Upcoming Features   Moein Ahmadipour, Altair 10:25am Coffee Break  10:40am Introduction to the Steel Centre at the University of Alberta  Professor Ali Imanpour, University of Alberta 11:00am Bridging the Gap: Integrating Data-driven and Physics-based Structural Analysis  Fardad Mokhtari, Bird Construction This presentation introduces a novel framework integrating traditional numerical modeling with machine learning-based structural models to enhance the accuracy and speed of structural simulation under seismic loading. 11:20am Casting Complexity: Design of Steel Castings to Solve Demanding Structural Connection Challenges  Justin Binder, Cast Connex Steel casting manufacturing offers geometric freedom that enables innovative solutions to structural engineering connection challenges. This presentation explores the use of steel castings in demanding structural applications, emphasizing their capability to accommodate complex framing geometries and to resist arduous loading while simplifying shop fabrication and on-site constructibility. The free-flowing geometry of steel castings can be challenging to analyze and engineer using conventional approaches, and as such, advanced 3D finite element analysis is leveraged alongside traditional calculations to confirm the robustness of these connections as per applicable structural codes. The analysis of these complex connections requires careful coordination between the casting engineer and structural engineer of record to ensure that boundary conditions (loading, fixity) are consistent between the overall building frame model and cast node sub-model.  Example case studies are presented across a range of applications in steel construction to demonstrate the overall workflow for the design, engineering, manufacturing, and final construction of steel castings in steel construction, with particular focus on the use of custom cast steel nodes in the iconic Sphere entertainment facility in Las Vegas.   ![Casting Complexity - Binder - Cast Connex Sphere V2](https://web.altair.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Casting%20Complexity%20-%20Binder%20-%20Cast%20Connex%20Sphere%20V2.jpg?width=1280&height=720&name=Casting%20Complexity%20-%20Binder%20-%20Cast%20Connex%20Sphere%20V2.jpg)   12:00pm Lunch  1:00pm Designing with Confidence: Simulation Case Studies from the Saskatchewan Mining Sector  Jason Cousins, March Consulting 1:20pm Carbon Capture Retrofit Case Study  Nolan Pozzi, Beck Engineering 1:40pm Coffee Break  2:00pm I.F. Morrison Structural Engineering Lab Tour Professor Ali Imanpour, University of Alberta Conference attendees are invited to tour the I.F.  Morrison Structural Engineering Laboratory. 3:30pm Advanced Simulation and Structural Optimization without the Complexity Matthew Sauer, Altair ### Altair for AEC Structural Design [Learn More](https://altair.com/structural-engineering) ## Speakers ![Justin Binder](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Binder%20-%20Portrait-1.jpg) #### Justin Binder Project Engineer Cast Connex ![Nolan Pozzi Picture](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Nolan%20Pozzi%20Picture.png) #### Nolan Pozzi Senior Structural Engineer Beck Engineering ![Staff-Paul-Spourghan-480x480.jpg](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Staff-Paul-Spourghan-480x480.jpg.webp) #### Paul Spourghan Director of the Commercial, Industrial, Metals and Mining Group ONEC Engineering ![Ali Imanpour](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design-Aug-13-2024-09-07-34-4280-PM.png) #### Ali Imanpour Professor Univ. of Alberta ![Fardad Mokhtari](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Farmad.png) #### Fardad Mokhtari Data Analyst Bird Construction ![Jason Cousins](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/March%20Employee%20Photo%20(2)-1.png) #### Jason Cousins Modeling & Simulation Engineer March Consulting ![Matthew-Sauer-image400x400](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Matthew-Sauer-image400x400.jpeg) #### Matthew Sauer Manager GTT Altair ![Moein Ahmadipour](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/Moein%20Ahmadipour.jpeg) #### Moein Ahmadipour AEC Product Manager Altair ![marinos-headshot-v3](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/AEC%20-%20S-FRAME/marinos-headshot-v3.jpg) #### Marinos Stylianou SVP Global AEC Business Altair ![David Kirby](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/David%20Kirby.jpeg) #### David Kirby Country Manager Altair ![CP Pathak](https://web.altair.com/hubfs/CP%20Pathak.jpeg) #### CP Pathak Account Manager Altair # Highlights from the Event Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering, University of Alberta  ![IMG_6678](https://47251.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/47251/hubfs/IMG_6678.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=IMG_6678.jpg) ![IMG_6609](https://47251.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/47251/hubfs/IMG_6609.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=IMG_6609.jpg) ![IMG_6618](https://47251.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/47251/hubfs/IMG_6618.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=IMG_6618.jpg) ![IMG_6653](https://47251.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/47251/hubfs/IMG_6653.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=IMG_6653.jpg) ![IMG_6667](https://47251.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/47251/hubfs/IMG_6667.jpg?width=1200&length=1200&name=IMG_6667.jpg)