All the articles from the February 2026 issue of The Structural Engineer.
Publish Date – 2 February 2026
In his Inaugural Address, the 105th President of the Institution, Brian Uy, reflects on his past, present and future, focusing on people, places and projects, and highlights the IStructE's past, present and future in a similar light.
This month's report concerns modifications to an existing industrial building that had been extended and modified numerous times over the years. Investigations identified several design issues with some of these previous modifications, including a previously replaced roof beam that did not comply with Australian Standards.
James Morgan describes the genesis of The Engineers Reuse Collective and explains how the organisation is building knowledge and helping engineers to advocate for greater reuse across the industry.
Andy Yates provides a structural engineer's framework for the reuse of existing structures, prioritising retention, repair and refurbishment of existing structures over more invasive and disruptive interventions.
Behavioural science models offer a framework to enable engineers to shift mindsets towards a reuse-first approach, argues Andy Yates.
Structural engineers must learn to share their experiences, innovations and failures more openly if the pace of sustainability change is to accelerate, believes Anna Beckett.
A textbook approach to design is an impediment to wider reuse, believes Tom Webster, who argues that the profession must place more value on the actual performance of reused components.
With a proactive approach and early engagement, structural engineers can unlock the reuse potential of existing buildings and steer the industry away from demolition, explains Thomas Hesslenberg.
Tom Howarth found himself fully immersed in a major steel reuse project just a couple of years after graduating – now he's bringing his knowledge and experience to bear on developing a template for the 'circular city'. Helena Russell reports.
This month's letters include discussion on foundation designs and competence.
A round-up of events at Institution HQ and around the regional groups.
Associate Editor, Lei Wang, has selected a paper on non-destructive strengthening techniques for stone beams as the Featured Article for Volume 81 of Structures.