Ashraf Habibullah

Ashraf Habibullah is a Pakistani-American structural engineer and software developer best known as the founder, president, and CEO of Computers and Structures, Inc., a structural and earthquake engineering software company based in Berkeley, California. Upon founding the privately held company in 1975, Ashraf co-created the first structural-engineering software available to the personal computer, and has since created a suite of products, and developed their capabilities. Notably, ETABS, a multi-story building analysis and design software, received recognition as one of the Applied Technology Council and Engineering News-Record Top Seismic Products of the 20th Century. Today, CSI is recognized globally as the pioneer in the development of software for structural and earthquake engineering. CSI's software is used by thousands of engineering firms and is the choice of sophisticated design professionals in over 160 countries. Ashraf has a deep personal interest in the study of human psychology and human behavior and how they can be leveraged to help people from all walks of life reach their maximum potential. Ashraf is also an elected member of National Academy of Engineering.

Awards and citations

 * Structural Engineers Association of Northern California H. J. Brunnier Lifetime Achievement Award for changing the practice of structural engineering for the better with his development of efficient and usable structural analysis programs.
 * American Society of Civil Engineers George Winter Award – in recognition of leading the development of highly complex software for structural analysis and design and founding the Engineers Alliance for the Arts and the Diablo Ballet.
 * American Concrete Institute Charles S. Whitney Medal for computer applications that have changed and modernized structural engineering practice to a level never envisioned just a few decades ago.
 * Structural Engineers Association of Northern California Community Involvement Award in recognition for his outstanding commitment to improve the public perception of structural engineering.
 * University of California, Berkeley Foundation Trustees' Citation Award for his service in campus fundraising.
 * Structural Engineering Institute President's Award in recognition of exemplary contributions to the success of SEI.
 * San Francisco Business Arts Council Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Arts Community.
 * Contra Costs County Arts Council Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the arts and culture of the country.
 * Applied Technology Council Award for Top Seismic product of the 20th Century for ETABS.
 * Structural Engineers Association of Arizona President's Award.
 * University of California, Berkeley CEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni in recognition of a distinguished professional career and lifelong dedication, support and advancement of Berkeley CEE.
 * Structural Engineers Association of Southern California Honorary member.
 * Structural Engineers Association of Northern California Honorary member.
 * Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Honorary member.

In 2010, Ashraf received the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) H. J. Brunnier Lifetime Achievement Award for changing "the practice of structural engineering for the better with his development of efficient and usable structural analysis programs".

Additional recognition includes the 2011 American Concrete Institute (ACI) Charles S. Whitney Medal for "development of world-class computer applications",

The 2000 SEAONC Community Involvement Award for "enhancing the life safety, environmental health, and economic well-being of the public".

In 2013, he was inducted into the CEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni, which recognizes professional achievements and service to Berkeley. In 2014, he received a University of California, Berkeley Foundation Trustees' Citation Award for his service to campus fundraising. He addressed as a keynote speaker at CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN LOUIS OBISPO 2019 Fall Commencement.

In 2019, Ashraf was the keynote speaker at the Fall Commencement of CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY, in San Luis Obispo, California. 

In 2024, Ashraf was elected a Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for his distinguished contributions to engineering, for the structural engineering software used by engineers globally and for the advocacy of the engineering profession.

Arts and culture


Ashraf also has a keen passion for the arts and social causes. He is co-founder of the critically acclaimed Diablo Ballet in 1993 and the founder of the Engineer’s Alliance for the Arts in 1997, an organization that involves school children with technology, focusing on the artistic aspects of bridge engineering. He also received the 1998 Arts Recognition Award from the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County for Diablo Ballet and Ashraf received the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) George Winter Award in 2005. for "commitment to the social and artistic needs of the community",

For his involvement with both Diablo Ballet and the Engineers' Alliance for the Arts, Ashraf also received the San Francisco Business Arts Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Arts Community in 2004.