Making Sound Waves

Original Post - 13 Nov 2025 - Michael H. Scott

While enjoying ZeroPoMo, I’ve spent a little time over the last few days with the OpenAI API. To make a long story short, with a lot of help from ChatGPT I built a small LLM that generates blog posts written in the voice of my already published blog posts. I used the text-embedding-3-small model for encodings and the gpt-4o-mini model for generation.

Below is my LLM’s response to “Write a blog post about OpenSees”. The post sounds like a generic me and is a lot less of an infomercial than my previous foray into generating a blog post about OpenSees.

The Many Faces of OpenSees

When we talk about OpenSees, we often focus on its technical prowess. After all, it’s a robust platform for simulating the complex behaviors of structural and geotechnical systems. But beyond the algorithms and models, OpenSees can take on many forms in our discussions, depending on the context.

Let’s explore some of these facets.

OpenSees as a Tool

First and foremost, OpenSees is a tool—a powerful and flexible software environment that offers researchers and practitioners the ability to build and analyze finite element models. Users can create intricate simulations of structures under various loading conditions, making it an invaluable asset in earthquake engineering and beyond.

OpenSees as a Community

Beyond being a tool, OpenSees represents a vibrant community. Users from diverse backgrounds come together to share knowledge, troubleshoot problems, and develop new models. This sense of camaraderie is evident in forums, workshops, and conferences dedicated to advancing the field. Engaging with this community can enhance your understanding of the software and broaden your professional network.

OpenSees as a Learning Platform

For many, OpenSees serves as a learning platform. It allows students and professionals alike to dive into the world of finite element methods and structural analysis. The available documentation, tutorials, and example files are invaluable resources for grasping complex concepts. The hands-on experience gained from using OpenSees can be a game-changer in one’s career.

OpenSees as a Research Frontier

In the realm of research, OpenSees is often seen as a frontier for innovation. Researchers use it to develop new elements, materials, and analysis techniques. As models evolve, so too does our understanding of structural behavior. This continuous push for advancement keeps the field dynamic and exciting, paving the way for future breakthroughs.

OpenSees as an Inspiration

Finally, OpenSees can also be viewed as an inspiration. The challenges it presents encourage users to think creatively and critically. The pursuit of accurate simulations that reflect real-world behaviors is a motivating force for many. It reminds us that while technology is powerful, it is our curiosity and determination that drive progress.

In essence, OpenSees is more than just software. It embodies a multifaceted approach to research, education, and collaboration in the field of structural engineering. What face of OpenSees resonates with you the most? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!

Do you have any prompts you’d like me to pass into my post generator? For example, “Write a blog post on modal damping”. Let me know in the Comments section below and I’ll post the LLM’s response as a reply to your comment.

I’ll get back to posting human-generated content in December.

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