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Aipedia: Structural and civil engineers
AI can help with temporary works schemes such as propping, needling and excavation support, but a competent designer and an appropriately independent checker must still own the design. Temporary works failures can be sudden and fatal, so the margin for unverified output is small.
Part of: AI in structural and civil engineering
In short
Temporary works are often designed quickly, under site pressure, by small teams, which makes AI shortcuts tempting. Yet propping, back-propping, facade retention and excavation support carry some of the highest consequences in construction. CDM 2015 reg 9 makes temporary works designers responsible for eliminating, reducing or controlling foreseeable risks. IStructE expects senior review of AI-produced design, and the Statement of Ethical Principles asks for precaution where harm would be serious or irreversible. The more AI is involved, the more the check category and the checker's independence matter. PI usually responds to negligent design claims, subject to the wording.
Designers use AI to draft method statements and design briefs, generate propping layouts, size proprietary props and needles from load tables, summarise manufacturer guidance, and produce calculation narratives. Contractors sometimes ask chatbots for quick answers on back-propping or excavation support when no designer is on hand. Each of these can be useful, and each can be dangerous if the answer is taken as a design.
Temporary works also interact with the permanent structure in ways an AI tool rarely understands: load transfer during demolition, sequence of removal, ground movement and the capacity of existing elements of unknown condition.
Under the check category approach commonly used in UK temporary works practice, higher-risk or more complex designs call for a checker more independent of the designer. AI changes the risk profile in two ways. It can make a complex scheme look simple and routine, tempting a lower check category than the design deserves. And if both designer and checker use the same AI tool, the check may not be independent at all. Setting the category by the real complexity and consequence of failure, and making sure the checker reworks critical elements without the AI, keeps the check meaningful.
CROSS-UK Report 1554 showed an AI-written calculation report that looked robust but was fundamentally wrong, with new errors in each revision. In temporary works the same pattern can lead to collapse during construction rather than defects later.
Illustrative scenario: a site team uses an AI-generated propping layout to support floors during the removal of a load-bearing wall. The layout ignores load from a water tank above and assumes the slab below can take the prop loads. The check was carried out by a colleague using the same tool. A slab cracks and deflects, the area is evacuated and emergency propping is installed, with investigation, delay and repair costs following.
A temporary works design failure can bring property damage, delay and injury claims, as well as HSE scrutiny. PI usually responds to claims alleging negligent design, subject to the wording, while injury claims and regulatory defence costs may depend on other policies and specific extensions. Our engineer negligence claims examples show how design failures lead to claims, and our guide to making a PI claim as an engineer explains notification. Check whether your appointment, policy limit and any contractor design arrangements reflect the consequences.
Related: AI design checking, LLMs and calculations and supervising graduates. Back to AI in structural and civil engineering.
Apex arranges PI for engineers who design temporary works. A broker reviews your cover, limits and how your policy treats AI-assisted temporary works design.
It should not. Even simple propping depends on loads and the capacity of existing structure, which an AI tool cannot verify. A competent temporary works designer should produce the design and an appropriate checker should review it.
The category should reflect the real complexity and consequence of failure. AI can make complex work look routine, so avoid lowering the category because the output looks neat, and make sure the checker is genuinely independent of the tool.
Yes. Anyone who prepares or modifies a design for construction work is a designer under CDM 2015, and reg 9 duties apply, including eliminating, reducing or controlling foreseeable risks and providing information with the design.
PI usually responds to claims that the design was negligent, subject to the policy wording. Injury claims and regulatory investigations may involve other policies or extensions, so check how your insurance programme fits together.
Tell us about your firm and the work you do. A broker will review how your current PI treats AI-assisted work, or arrange new cover. No fee for a quote. Or call 0117 325 0027.
Start a PI quote Request a callbackApex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This page is general information about how AI is used in the profession and how insurance may respond. It is not legal, regulatory or insurance advice on your circumstances, and it does not guarantee that cover will be available or on what terms.
