Alejandro Giraldo Soto

PhD, MSc Eng

Dr. Alejandro Giraldo Soto is a structural engineer specialising in load-bearing reinforced 3D-printed concrete, bridge design, and concrete, steel, steel-concrete composite structures. He has extensive experience in both industry and academia, ranging from structural design and analysis to full-scale experimental testing.

Since 2024, Alejandro has been part of Equi Bridges AG as project manger. Prior to this, since 2018, he has been a Researcher at the Chair of Structural Concrete and Bridge Design at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, where his research has focused on digital fabrication with concrete, fibre-reinforced concrete and steel-concrete composite construction. At ETH, he has also served as a teaching assistant for Bridge Design courses.

In addition, in 2021, Alejandro has been affiliated with the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) Digital Fabrication. His research in 3D-printed concrete has focused on the structural behaviour of dry-joint connections, reinforcement integration, and the development of design basis. Moreover, he has led the research, experimental campaigns, and the structural design of the load-bearing reinforced 3D-printed concrete V-Columns for Tor Alva — the world-tallest 3D-printed concrete tower, located in Mulegns, Switzerland.

Alejandro earned his doctoral degree in 2017 from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He began his academic career in 2010 as a research assistant in the Chair of Structural Concrete at the UPM’s School of Civil Engineering and also worked as adjunct lecturer at the School of Aeronautics. Alejandro worked in several Spanish companies (2008-2014) as a structural engineer, supervisor and production manager, and from 2014 to 2021 in Swiss engineering companies (Meichtry & Widmer AG and dsp Ingenieure + Planer AG) as a structural engineer and project manager.

Professional and Academic Experience

  • Since 2024 – Equi Bridges AG, Zurich, Switzerland. Project Manager
  • Since 2022 – Giraldo Soto GmbH, Romanshorn, Switzerland. CEO and Founder
  • Since 2018 – ETH Zurich, Institute of Structural Engineering, Switzerland. Senior Researcher in Concrete Structures and Bridge Design, Prof. W. Kaufmann
  • 2018/2021 – dsp Ingenieure & Planer AG, Uster, Switzerland. Project Manager and Bridge Engineer.
  • 2014/2018 – Meichtry & Widmer AG, Zurich, Switzerland. Structural Engineer
  • 2012/2013 – Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain. Lecturer in the Chair for Airport Concrete Structures at the Technical School of Aeronautics
  • 2010/2018 – Fontis GS Group S.L., Madrid, Spain. Co-founder and Technical Adviser.
  • 2010/2014 – Fhecor Ingenieros Consultores S.L., Madrid, Spain. Structural Engineer (part time).
  • 2010/2017 – Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain. Researcher in the Grupo de Ingeniería Estructural (Structural Concrete Group)
  • 2008/2009 – Apia XXI S.A., Madrid, Spain. Construction Supervisor
  • 2006/2008 – Conavinsa S.A. – Prainsa Group, Madrid, Spain. Production Manager

Education

  • 2017 – PhD in Engineering of Structures, Foundations and Materials
    Polytechnic University of Madrid
  • 2011 – MSc in Engineering of Structures, Foundations and Materials
    Polytechnic University of Madrid
  • 2009 – Civil Engineering with specialized in structures and foundations
    Polytechnic University of Madrid

Further Technical Qualifications

  • Since 2024 – ACHE Task Group 5: Structures and Structural Elements
  • Since 2024 – ACHE Task Group 6: Steel and Composite Structures
  • Since 2019 – fib Task Group 2.6: Composite steel-​concrete construction
  • Since 2011 – Spanish Mirror Group of the CEN/TC 250 Horizontal Group Bridges (HG-​B)

Membership

  • Since 2024 – IABSE (International Association for Bridges and Structural Engineering)
  • Since 2023 – Swiss Group of Bridge and Construction Engineers (Fachgruppe für Brückenbau und Hochbau)
  • Since 2018 – fib (International Federation of Structural Concrete)
  • Since 2018 – ACHE (Scientific and Technical Association of Structural Concrete)
  • Since 2011 – CICCP (Chamber of Spanish Civil Engineers)

Publications