Interview: Structural Consultant – Patrick Keating

A Journey Through Structural Engineering Excellence 

Introduction: In this month’s article, we are going to give an insight into working with LSY Engineering Consultants Ltd as a structural engineer. This article is presented by Patrick Keating, a Chartered Structural Engineer with over 36 years of experience, who is currently working with LSY Engineering Consultants Ltd as a Consultant Structural Engineer. 

Interview: 

Brief outline of your career: I began my career in 1985 with Ove Arup & Partners in the UK, where I worked on various industrial engineering projects. In 1991, I had the opportunity to work in Germany on the construction of the European Transonic Wind Tunnel in Porz near Cologne. In 1995, I moved to Moscow with Ove Arup International Ltd, eventually becoming the Structural Discipline Leader for Russia. During my time in Moscow, I was involved in numerous high-profile projects, including a headquarters for a leading oil company, the Mercedes Benz car production plant and the 52-storey twisting Evolution Tower structural review. Additionally, I worked on a dry dock in Sakhalin for CGS platform construction for Exxon. In 2016, I worked in the Netherlands with Arup on an Airport project in Istanbul designing large parts of one of the longest baggage handling systems in the world.  I also got to work on a dry dock and workshop for luxury yachts manufacture for Royal Van Lent in Amsterdam. In 2021, I joined RBTT Consultants as a Structural Consultant, where I was involved in projects like the IXCellerate Data Centre in Moscow. In 2023, I started working with LSY Engineering Consultants, working on a mixture of temporary works, residential projects, commercial buildings and industrial related projects. 

Major changes you have seen since your career commenced: The use of computers has revolutionized the industry. When I started, computers were scarce and shared among many. Now, we have tools like Revit, AutoCAD, numerous analytical programs, BIM, and advancements in green design and carbon footprint analysis. There’s also been a shift towards more computer-based skills among young engineers, moving away from practical skills. The integration of automation and parametric design has significantly changed how we approach projects, making processes more efficient and allowing for more complex and innovative designs. 

Most enjoyable project or period of your career: One of the most enjoyable projects was the master planning of over 100 hectares for an elite housing project with a golf course. It was a large civil engineering project with significant earthworks and drainage. The client was amazing, always polite and gracious. Working with the golf architect was a pleasure, and we faced the challenge of creating enormous retention ponds to cope with heavy rain and avoid flooding the course. The project was new and challenging for me, and the team was fantastic. It was a great experience that combined large-scale civil engineering with creative design. 

Best bit of career advice you were given: Early in my career when I had an HND qualification, one of my managers suggested that I pursue a degree qualification, so I ended up studying part time while I worked. Looking back, this was great advice as it helped me progress significantly in my career. It opened many opportunities and allowed me to take on more complex and rewarding projects. 

What would you say has been the main factor in your career longevity: Having access to great mentors and advice, working on interesting projects, and gaining international experience have been crucial. Most of the projects I worked on were built, which gave me great satisfaction. The diversity of projects also kept things exciting. Each project brought new challenges and learning opportunities, which kept me engaged and motivated throughout my career. 

Advice to engineers commencing in the industry now: Take advantage of training opportunities, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and try different approaches. Focus on building skills one at a time, find a good mentor, and keep learning to add new skills. It’s important to be adaptable and open to new technologies and methods. Building a strong foundation of practical skills and combining them with modern tools will set you up for a successful career.