In this episode of the Structural Engineering Podcast, we sit down with the founders of CalcBook, Nick and Peter, a tech startup that's rethinking how engineers document and share structural calculations. What started as a frustration with scattered spreadsheets and inconsistent workflows has grown into a powerful, cloud-based platform built by engineers for engineers.

We dive into the full journey:

• How the idea for CalcBook was born

• The leap from side project to startup

• Challenges of building a technical product for a technical audience

• Lessons learned from launching and growing in a niche industry

• The future of digital tools in structural engineering

Whether you're an engineer, entrepreneur, or just curious about how innovation happens in our field, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and inspiration.

Links & Resources:

• Try CalcBook: calcbook.com

• StructurEd (our free study tool): theengineeringpodcast.com/structured

• NCSEA Salary Survey: LINK

Structural Trivia:

Join our structural trivia! A quick email mid-week will keep you sharp (FYI - Survey Monkey is often re-directed to the spam folder) Here

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This episode is brought to you by CalcBook — the modern way to perform and document your structural calculations. Visit calcbook.com and use promo code SEPOD for 50% off your first three months.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Structural Engineering Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Musgrove from Kramer Gehlen & Associates to dive into the world of post-tensioned (PT) concrete design. Ryan walks us through the fundamentals of PT systems, their advantages over conventional reinforced concrete, and what engineers should consider when designing and detailing these systems in the field.

We discuss everything from tendon layout and serviceability checks to construction sequencing, stressing operations, and long-term deflection control. Ryan also shares some of the most common mistakes he sees in PT design and how clear communication between the engineer, detailer, and contractor can make or break a project.

Whether you're new to PT or have years of experience designing slabs and podium decks, this episode offers insights you can apply to your next project.

Topics Covered:

- Basics of post-tensioned concrete and how it differs from mild-reinforced systems

- Design considerations for slab geometry, tendon layout, and anchorage zones

- Common field challenges during stressing and construction

- Strategies for controlling cracking, camber, and long-term deflection

About Our Guest:

Ryan Musgrove, P.E., is a Senior Project Manager with Kramer Gehlen & Associates, where he focuses on building design across a range of materials, including post-tensioned concrete and steel systems. His experience bridges design and construction, bringing a practical approach to complex structural systems.

Resources Mentioned:

- PTI Design and Construction of Post-Tensioned Slabs

- ACI 318 provisions for prestressed concrete

- www.kramergehlen.com

Structural Trivia:

Join our structural trivia! A quick email mid-week will keep you sharp (FYI - Survey Monkey is often re-directed to the spam folder) Here

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In this episode, we sit down with Adam Jones from SPEC Toolbox, a company reshaping how engineers approach mass timber design. From CLT panels to connection detailing, Spec Toolbox offers a suite of digital tools that streamline workflows, reduce errors, and bring clarity to the often chaotic world of timber documentation.

We explore the challenges of designing with mass timber, navigating code compliance, coordinating across disciplines, and managing ever-evolving changes and how Spec Toolbox helps engineers stay ahead. Whether you're deep in the weeds of timber detailing or just curious about the future of structural tools, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at innovation in action.

Join our structural trivia! A quick email mid-week will keep you sharp (FYI - Survey Monkey is often re-directed to the spam folder) Here

Reach out to us:

Instagram

LinkedIn