COMPAS_DEV – moosasaboor.com

COMPAS_FEA2

COMPAS_FEA, and its successor COMPAS_FEA2, are finite element solving python libraries in the COMPAS ecosystem, which is a computational system developed by BLOCK research group in ETH, Zurich to facilitate collaborative research in architecture, engineering fabrication and construction. The FEA2 library aims to fill in many of the shortcomings of the original, and is currently incomplete. My role in my summer internship was to further develop the OpenSees backend, particularly for structural analysis of timber sections.

OpenSees is a finite element analysis tool developed by Berkley and is used as one of several backends by COMPAS_FEA to perform structural analysis on models, however, it is notably the most lightweight option and is also completely free to use, and was therefore the primary backend for my development. Throughout the course of my internship, I would develop over a dozen functions to facilitate analysis, create documentation and create eight sample scripts to facilitate understanding and usage of the library. You can read about my development process further through my research paper and you can access the source code I developed through my GitHub link below.

Reflection

This project played a pivotal role in shaping my career interests. Working directly on the development of compas_fea2 and its OpenSees backend exposed me to the significant gaps that exist in structural engineering software, particularly the lack of accessible, research-oriented tools that bridge advanced analysis platforms with modern programming practices. Through implementing new functionality, resolving backend incompatibilities, and improving the overall usability of the framework, I experienced firsthand how impactful well-designed computational tools can be in the civil engineering domain.
Given my strong background in programming, this project confirmed that civil engineering software development is a path where I can meaningfully contribute. Despite being a niche specialization, it represents an area with substantial need and enormous potential for innovation, and this work ultimately solidified my ambition to pursue it further.