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In Episode 103, we dive into space frames, cable nets, and ETFE membrane systems. Joining us is Joshua Schultz, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Gonzaga University, to discuss the lightweight structural forms that make some of today's most iconic buildings possible. From the geometry that drives space frame efficiency to the tension‑based behavior of cable nets and the surprising performance of ETFE, we break down how these systems work, where they shine, and what engineers need to consider when designing them.
Tune in to hear how these structures balance form, efficiency, and constructability — and why "lightweight" doesn't mean simple.
Links & Resources:
Book - Structural Design of Lightweight Architecture
Joshua's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaschultz
Structural Trivia:
Sign up for our structural trivia! A quick email mid-week will keep you sharp (FYI-Survey Monkey is often re-directed to the spam folder).
Reach out to us:
TheEngineeringPodcast.com
Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance; affordable, engineer-friendly liability coverage starting at just $29/month, designed to give structural engineers the protection they need with zero hassle. Go to NextInsurance.com/sepodcast and get a free quote today!
Disclaimer: Here
By Max and Zach4.8
4747 ratings
In Episode 103, we dive into space frames, cable nets, and ETFE membrane systems. Joining us is Joshua Schultz, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Gonzaga University, to discuss the lightweight structural forms that make some of today's most iconic buildings possible. From the geometry that drives space frame efficiency to the tension‑based behavior of cable nets and the surprising performance of ETFE, we break down how these systems work, where they shine, and what engineers need to consider when designing them.
Tune in to hear how these structures balance form, efficiency, and constructability — and why "lightweight" doesn't mean simple.
Links & Resources:
Book - Structural Design of Lightweight Architecture
Joshua's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaschultz
Structural Trivia:
Sign up for our structural trivia! A quick email mid-week will keep you sharp (FYI-Survey Monkey is often re-directed to the spam folder).
Reach out to us:
TheEngineeringPodcast.com
Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by NEXT Insurance; affordable, engineer-friendly liability coverage starting at just $29/month, designed to give structural engineers the protection they need with zero hassle. Go to NextInsurance.com/sepodcast and get a free quote today!
Disclaimer: Here

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