TheStructuralEngineer

January 2019
Volume 97 | Issue 1

The flagship publication of The Institution of Structural Engineers

SEEING
THE LIGHT
Hull’s Solar Gate celebrates
the potential of digital tools
to optimise structural form

INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGES

DESIGNING A WINDPOST

EDUCATING TOMORROW’S
ENGINEERS

TSE83_01_Cover.indd 1 13/12/2018 10:31

 The perfect place to find
the latest structural
engineering vacancies
The Structural Engineer
Jobs is the official jobs
board for The Institution
of Structural Engineers

350
jobs
posted on
average
every month

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p02_TSE.Jan19.indd 2 12/12/2018 11:40

 Upfront
thestructuralengineer.org Contents

PAGE 13 INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGES PAGE 34 DESIGNING A WINDPOST PAGE 38 COMMENT & REPLY

TheStructuralEngineer
Volume 97 | Issue 1

Upfront Features Opinion

5 Editorial 13 An introduction to bridges for structural engineers 38 Comment & reply: The TallWood House at Brock
(part 1) Commons, Vancouver
6 President’s end-of-year report:
Preparing for the future of tomorrow – today 40 Viewpoint: There is more to a flower than a STEM
42 Verulam
8 Institution news: Project focus
Election of members of the Board for 2019–20 44 Book review: Development of ultra-high
Council election 2019: call for nominations 20 Solar Gate, Hull – form through function performance concrete against blasts: from materials
Apply now for a Pai Lin Li Travel Award to structures
Enter the Excellence in Structural Engineering
45 Book review: Structural design from first principles
Education Award Professional guidance
10 Institution news:
30 Business Practice Note No. 21: Leading an effective
Institution election/transfer/reinstatement lists
12 Institution news:
meeting At the back
32 Do you have the skills to be a leader? 46 Diary dates
Changes to the Institution’s Regulations Section 4:
Code of Conduct and Guidance Notes, and 48 Spotlight on Structures
Disciplinary Powers 50 Products & Services
Technical 51 Services Directory
34 Technical Guidance Note Level 2, No. 19: Design and 52 TheStructuralEngineer Jobs
detailing of windposts to masonry walls
58 And finally…

Front cover: SOLAR GATE ©MIKE TONKIN

The Structural Engineer www.thestructuralengineer.org

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TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 3

TSE83_03_Contents.indd 3 13/12/2018 10:32

 President’s Inaugural
Address 2019

Joe Kindregan
Eur Eng, C. Eng, FIStructE, MIEI, BE
Join The Institution of Structural Engineers in welcoming Joe
Kindregan as our 99th President.

Date: Thursday 10 January 2019 Price: Free

Time: 17:30 for 18:00 start Venue: Institution HQ

www.istructe.org

Joe is a consulting engineer based in Ireland having previously worked as

a lecturer and Head of Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at
Dublin Institute of Technology. Joe has a strong interest in the history of
engineering and its contribution to the welfare of humanity.

p04_TSE.Jan19.indd 4 12/12/2018 11:41


thestructuralengineer.org
Editorial
Is this meeting
really necessary?
Robin Jones Managing Editor
As we enter 2019, many of us will be
making New Year’s resolutions, in an
attempt to lead better lives in at least
some small way. Most – if not all – of us
will also regularly be required to attend
meetings as part of our working lives.
While these can be extremely useful, we
will likely all have experienced occasions
when meetings veer off topic, fail to stick
to the agreed timescale, or do not result
in clear outcomes. These frustrations are
addressed in our latest Business Practice
Note, which sets out key principles for
maximising the effectiveness of meetings
(page 30). Perhaps there’s an easy
resolution here for us all, to take the note
to heart and strive to make all our meetings
in 2019 as effective as possible, starting
with the question: is this meeting really
necessary?
Reader engagement
The Institution is a membership body and
The Structural Engineer is, at its core, a
The Structural Engineer
 provides structural engineers and related
professionals worldwide with technical information
on practice, design, development, education and
training associated with the profession of structural
engineering, and offers a forum for discussion on
these matters
 promotes the learned society role of the Institution
by publishing peer-reviewed content which advances
the science and art of structural engineering
 provides members and non-members worldwide
with Institution and industry related news
 provides a medium for relevant advertising
TSE83_05_Editorial.indd 5
members’ magazine, so it’s been heartening
to witness the level of engagement with
two recent initiatives.
First, thank you to everyone who
completed our reader survey. With over
1700 responses, including many thoughtful
comments, there is much for us to
consider. We’ll bring you a summary of the
results in a later issue, but there were two
sustainability-related questions asked by
several readers which I’ll address now:
1) A number of you asked how to opt out
of receiving a printed copy of the magazine,
either because you read it online or would
prefer to share a copy in your office. To opt
out, simply email the Institution’s Records
department (records@istructe.org) with a
request to amend your preferences.
2) Others asked whether the polywrap
in which the magazine is mailed could
be replaced with a more environmentally
friendly alternative. While we have no
immediate plans to change this, we are
aware of developments in the field and
The Institution
 has over 27 000 members in over 100 countries
around the world
 is the only qualifying body in the world concerned solely
with the theory and practice of structural engineering
 through its Chartered members is an internationally
recognised source of expertise and information
concerning all issues that involve structural engineering
and public safety within the built environment
 supports and protects the profession of structural
engineering by upholding professional standards
and to act as an international voice on behalf of
structural engineers
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
Upfront
Editorial
will keep the matter under review. Key
questions to consider are the sustainability
of alternative products and offering value
for money to members.
In the meantime, I would like to stress
that the current polywrap is recyclable.
In the UK, at least, it can be recycled at
many supermarkets along with other film
wrappers and carrier bags.
Second, we were delighted by the
tremendous response to the call for papers
for our planned special issue on ‘Future
trends in structural engineering’. Around
100 readers submitted synopses, which are
being reviewed by our Guest Editors – Ed
Clark of Arup and Tim Ibell of the University
of Bath. We’ll bring you more news on this
later in the year.
Happy New Year
To conclude, I’d like to thank you all for your
continued engagement with The Structural
Engineer, and I wish you a happy and
prosperous 2019!
The Structural Contributions published in The Structural Engineer are
Engineer (ISSN published on the understanding that the author/s is/are
1466-5123) is solely responsible for the statements made, for
published by the opinions expressed and/or for the accuracy of
IStructE Ltd, a the contents. Publication does not imply that any
wholly owned statement or opinion expressed by the author/s
subsidiary of reflects the views of the Institution of Structural
The Institution Engineers’ Board; Council; committees; members
of Structural or employees. No liability is accepted by such persons
Engineers. It is or by the Institution for any loss or damage, whether
available both caused through reliance on any statement, opinion
in print and or omission (textual or otherwise) in The Structural
online. Engineer, or otherwise.
5
13/12/2018 10:33
 Upfront
Institution news
President’s end-of-year report: Preparing
for the future of tomorrow – today
Faith Wainwright
MBE, FREng, DEng (Hon), FIStructE, FICE
2018 President of The Institution of Structural
Engineers
A year ago, I opened my
presidency with a call to embrace
the future – a future which, I am
convinced, will look quite different
to what we have become used
to; and, with the increasing
complexity and opportunity, a call
to work together for a creative
and collaborative future.
I believe, as I stated then, that
the world is changing at a scale
and pace which challenges
our ability to understand the
implications of these changes, let
alone adapt to them, before there
are changes yet again.
Sharp headlines have
underlined this for all of us
throughout the year, reminding us
that we, as individual professionals
or collectively as an institution,
cannot afford to stand still.
I am proud to say that the
Institution is not standing still,
as over the past year I have met
those members and professional
communities around the world
who are passionate about seeing
that our profession will continue
to play a vital role in the future of
tomorrow’s built environment.
To just highlight two of those
headlines:
First, a report by the
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change1, released in
October 2018, brought to us the
dramatic difference in predicted
impact between a global rise in
temperature of 1.5°C above pre-
industrial times by 2100, rather
than the 2°C which was already
an ambitious target, but one which
was settling into our minds as
a level we could actually work
towards since the Conference
of the Parties in Paris 2015 had
signed up to aiming for this.
6 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
TSE83_6-7_Presidents report.indd 6
thestructuralengineer.org
The role of President is a great or social consciousness, the
privilege, and it is the stories of complexities of a population
members I have encountered boom, passive prosperity or
throughout the year that really income streams, management of
bring to life the future of our ‘living assets’, and the potential
profession, as one that is creative harnessing of botany, biological
and collaborative. engineering or chemistry. These
And on the topic of digital ideas underline how we need to
change, the World Economic Breadth of outlook work with ideas and skills beyond
Forum published The Future At the start of last year, I set the traditional engineering disciplines,
of Jobs Report2 in September question for the year’s Kenneth if we are to ensure future
2018, which spelled out how Severn Award submissions, success and meet client and user
the Fourth Industrial Revolution choosing to focus on exploring expectations (Figure 1).
will transform work. One set of what our profession could look Throughout my travels, there
estimates suggests that ‘75 million like, and how we as a professional has continued to be a high level
jobs may be displaced by a shift community can prepare for this. of interest in understanding the
in the division of labour between The 44 entries explored a range many career pathways that exist
humans and machines, while 133 of ‘disruptors’ to the traditional in structural engineering, from
million new roles may emerge’, and make-up of engineering practices, those just starting on their paths,
it is in the area of creativity, critical exploring topics from elements in to career adaptors who have
thinking, persuasion – and surely the digital realm such as artificial come from other disciplines, or
these encompass design – that intelligence, blockchain and smart those returners who have taken
jobs will grow. technologies, to sustainability a break to pursue passions that
As we, as a profession, are
swept up with – and even help
steer – this trajectory of change,  Figure 1
One Central
Park, Sydney
the thrust of my year of service hints at
as President has been to share future with its
commitment to
ideas about cultivating a mindset sustainability
that enables us to better embrace
change and to ensure that we, as
structural engineers, make our
best possible contributions to
shaping our future world.
It has been an enormous
privilege to share thoughts with
members across the world, and
stimulate conversations around
the breadth of our professional
outlook, the depth of members’
expertise and the necessity of
greater leadership to not only
progress our profession, but to
ensure our utmost contribution to
the betterment of society.
These discussions in each
region and location I have visited
emphasised the level of active
commitment of members to not
just talk about this change, but to
FAITH WAINWRIGHT
innovate, explore and act in ways
that I am certain will strengthen
the importance of our profession
as a fundamental part of solving
global challenges.
13/12/2018 10:34

thestructuralengineer.org
E Figure 2
Regional
groups are
at heart of
Institution
activity – Faith
with South
Eastern
Counties
Chairman,
Chris O’Regan
then enrich their work going
forward. Individuals, academia
and firms alike are changing how
they view a career path and how
to prepare future practitioners for
this. I am delighted that over the
year we have simplified the steps
to qualify both for Technicians and
for Fellows, and introduced free
membership for the first year of
employment for graduates.
Many, including the Institution,
are currently rethinking the
education of our future colleagues
and this is a worldwide quest, as
was evidenced from this being
the topic of a panel discussion
I contributed to at the ASEC
conference in Australia, as
well as our own Academics’
Conference held at our London
HQ. At the SEI Congress 2018 in
Fort Worth, Texas, alongside the
specialist technical sessions, all
the keynote addresses discussed
how engineers can positively
impact on the big issues we face.
A memorable quote, by Professor
Bruce Ellingwood of Colorado
State University, was that
‘structural engineers are trained to
be decision makers – it’s the liberal
arts of the 21st century’.
Deep expertise
The changing nature of our
work is no less demanding of
our technical expertise than
before. Visiting Aberdeen,
Scotland illustrated this
vividly – the extending of life of
offshore platforms and eventual
decommissioning in the North Sea
demands highly skilled engineers.
I do anticipate wide – and global
– interest in the new Specialist
Diploma in Offshore Structural
Engineering that was launched
this year.
Further deep expertise and
a push for applying engineering
TSE83_6-7_Presidents report.indd 7
"WE NEED TO WORK
WITH IDEAS AND
SKILLS BEYOND
TRADITIONAL
ENGINEERING
DISCIPLINES"
skills innovatively was seen at a
tour of the labs at Imperial College
London, where I saw research
on how to evaluate the structural
performance of a printed stainless
steel pedestrian bridge to be
opened in Amsterdam in 2020.
This is one of many examples of
pushing the boundaries through
applying expert engineering
knowhow to the new techniques
becoming available to us.
The quality of what we do was
stressed within all of my visits,
and the respect for the standards
upheld by the Institution is very
apparent. I have seen what great
ambassadors our members are
for the professional community
as they act as role models
and advocate for standards in
competence. For example, in the
Caribbean as well as in Singapore,
the interest of the registration
authorities in working closely with
us to enhance standards was very
much apparent.
And I have been expressing
throughout that we have to be a
community of professionals, as
it is not, in my opinion, possible
to be an expert in isolation. So, I
have been delighted to champion
CROSS (Confidential Reporting
on Structural Safety) throughout
the year, and press home the
message of learning from one
another. While I was in Australia,
the launch of CROSS Australasia
was very well received, and it is
wonderful to see that the first
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
CROSS-AUS newsletter has
been published. Plans are well
advanced for a US scheme as
well. CROSS is truly international,
as the near misses and lessons
learned are, mostly, applicable
across geographical boundaries.
Leading for the future
As I have emphasised throughout
the year, I believe that leadership
within our profession comes
from all levels, and I have enjoyed
meeting members from all walks
of life and years of experience,
who lead their projects,
teams, firms and professional
communities – regionally,
nationally or internationally. I’d
like to express my thanks to all
regional group chairs and their
committees, as well as all who
have given time to other panels
and committees – your willing
voluntary effort is at the heart of
leading our Institution (Figure 2).
It is likely a lesser known fact
among the general membership,
but I am proud to have served as
President during a year in which
the composition of the Board
has reflected the diversity we
would love to see in all leadership
teams, as we have had four
women, a good spread of career
paths and years of experience,
and members from five different
countries. This diversity has really
helped the inclusive outlook
needed for a future profession
that welcomes everyone and
steers change to remain relevant.
I believe we are well ahead of
most in achieving this diversity on
the Board.
There will be a ‘new normal’
for our future profession and I
enjoyed working with the Council
in February to explore many of
the disruptive trends that are
shaping our world, looking at the
implications for the Institution of
new construction methods, city
resilience, the data revolution and
other disruptors. This exploration
by the Council has resulted in the
publication entitled The future of
the profession, which featured
in The Structural Engineer in
November/December. It sets a
new agenda and will serve to help
move us out of our comfort zones,
which we have to do if we are to
Upfront
Institution news
keep up momentum with change.
Power of our professional
community
Underpinning much of the
activities that so inspire many
of us, is the steer and backbone
to our communities powered by
the Executive of the Institution
– Martin Powell as CEO and
his team of Directors and all
the dedicated staff. To keep up
the pace on the heavy regular
workload and continually make
changes is challenging and only
works because the staff really
want to see that the Institution is
the best it can be.
Under the insightful leadership
of our new President, Joe
Kindregan, 2019 brings with it
opportunities, both to build upon
what has been done, as well
as discover and address new
challenges, to create a future
state of our profession of which
we can all be proud.
It has been a great honour to
serve The Institution of Structural
Engineers as the 2018 President
and I look forward, with you, to a
strong future for the Institution as
we embed new ways of thinking
and equip members to practice
at their best, with creativity,
collaboration, and not to forget,
having fun!
Onwards to a future of
creativity and collaboration!
REFERENCES
E1) International Panel on
Climate Change (2018) Special
Report: Global Warming of
1.5ºC [Online] Available at:
www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ (Accessed:
December 2018)
E2) World Economic Forum
(2018) The Future of Jobs
Report 2018 [Online] Available
at: www3.weforum.org/docs/
WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2018.pdf
(Accessed: December 2018)
HAVE YOUR SAY
To comment on this article:
Eemail Verulam at
tse@istructe.org
Etweet @IStructE
#TheStructuralEngineer
7
13/12/2018 10:34
 Upfront
Institution news thestructuralengineer.org

Election of members of the Board

Council election 2019:
for 2019–20
call for nominations
Voting by members of Council 2018 for the election of three members
of the Board for 2019–20 closed at 12 noon GMT on 12 November 2018. Nominations are sought for candidates for election as:
The result is as follows:  Vice-President 2020–21
 Ordinary member of Council 2020–22.
Number of eligible voters: 84
Information about the role and operation of the
Number who voted: 52
Council may be found at: www.istructe.org/about-us/
Turnout: 62%
organisation-structure/council.
The electoral regions in the UK and the Republic of
Shalini Jagnarine-Azan 36 Elected Ireland are based on Institution regional groups – a map
Victoria C. Martin 28 Elected of which can be accessed from the website at www.
istructe.org/near-you/europe/united-kingdom.
Ashutosh R. Nene 24 Elected
The regions are:
John R. Price 23
Joseph M. Ryan 22 1) Lancashire and Cheshire
2) Scottish, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Andrew L. Snowball 14 3) Yorkshire and Northern Counties
4) Bedfordshire and Adjoining Counties, East Anglia and
Susan M. Doran East Midlands
Company Secretary and Director of Regulations 5) Midland Counties and Wales
12 November 2018 6) Devon and Cornwall, Western Counties and Southern
7) Thames Valley and Surrey
8) North Thames
9) South Eastern Counties
Apply now for a Pai Lin Li Travel Award 10) Rest of Europe, Middle East, Africa and the
Americas
The Pai Lin Li Travel Award provides a fantastic opportunity for young Institution 11) Hong Kong
members to pursue innovative and creative ideas within the context of structural 12) Asia and Pacific
engineering and the built environment.
Grants of between £1000 and £3000 are available to allow young members The minimum number of ordinary members
to spend four to six weeks studying current practice or trends outside their own (continuing in office in 2020 and to be elected) from
country. Studies of innovative materials and construction techniques are particularly any electoral region is one (apart from Region 11, where
encouraged. because of the size of the electorate, it is two). To
The scheme enables members to broaden their experience and test their ideas fulfil this requirement, at least one ordinary member of
with world experts. Council from Region 2 must be elected.
Award-winners will have the opportunity to share their findings during an evening Chartered and Incorporated Structural Engineers
lecture at the Institution’s London HQ. Winners’ papers will also be considered for and Technician Members (who have submitted a
publication in The Structural Engineer. current Institution Continuing Professional Development
Visit www.istructe.org/Pai-Lin-Li-Award for full details of how to enter the Pai Lin Li return) are invited to consider standing for election as
Travel Award 2019. an ordinary member of the Council 2020–22. Fellows
(who have previously served on Council and who have
submitted a current Institution Continuing Professional
Development return) are invited to consider standing
Enter the Excellence in Structural for election as a Vice-President 2020–21. Nomination
papers (which must be completed by the candidate and
Engineering Education Award 10 other Voting Members) are obtainable from Dr S.M.
Doran and must be submitted by Monday 11 February
The Institution’s Excellence in to both member and non-member 2019. Candidates must also complete a candidate
Structural Engineering Education academics and teams. information form and supply a photograph. Completed
Award is an international scheme The winning individual or team will nomination documents can be returned by email to
recognising high-quality university-level receive a prize of £1000 and be invited sue.doran@istructe.org or by post.
teaching of structural engineering. to submit a paper to be considered for In due course, voting documents will be issued and
The Award is made to successful publication in The Structural Engineer. you will be able to vote either electronically or by post.
individuals or university departmental Selected winners will also be featured The results will subsequently be published in The
teams who demonstrate a commitment at the Institution’s Annual Academics’ Structural Engineer, in the e-newsletter and on the
to the highest standards of teaching Conference. website.
in structural engineering and a drive Visit www.istructe.org/excellence-
to develop exciting and innovative in-education for full details of how Dr S.M. Doran
philosophies and techniques to improve to enter the Excellence in Structural Company Secretary and Director of Regulations
student learning. The scheme is open Engineering Education Award 2019.

8 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

TSE83_8_Institution news.indd 8 13/12/2018 10:35

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 Upfront
Institution news thestructuralengineer.org

Institution election/transfer/reinstatement list:

4 October 2018
At a meeting of the ZIN, Soe Moe Free Students (289) REGINOLD, Jesuthasan KORISTA, D Stanton
Membership Committee Terence LOWSON, William Wallace
on 4 October 2018, the Graduate (79) REINSTATEMENTS SLOAN, Daniel OGUNBEKUN, Olumide
following were elected/ Member (6) SWEET, Adam David SPIR, Geoffrey
transferred/reinstated Student Employed (2) BOURNE, Simon John ZHENG, Zhijian David STEVENS, Anthony
in accordance with the CHIU, Yue Leung TAM, Chun Hung Wilkie
Institution’s Regulations: TRANSFERS CLARK, Matthew Charles Student Employed (1)
Member/Associate to John GRIFFITHS, Iwan
Member (18)
ELECTIONS Fellow (11) JOHNSTON, Darren Paul
ALDERSLEY, Neville
Honorary Fellow (2) ALDEBURGH, Tim ROBERTSHAW, Thomas Student Free (61)
SPARKES, Darren COWLEY, Donald Holliday
MCCANN, Martin DASGUPTA, Jaydip
SCURLOCK, Susan DENHAM, Mark NOTICE CUDDEN, Robert
LEIGHTON, Kate Elizabeth Graduate (22) RESIGNATIONS DURLEY, John Edward
Direct Fellow (1) LIU, Yuk Shing AHMED, Zameer The Membership Committee Charles
CORRES PEIRETTI, Hugo MARTIN, James Robert AMBARDEKAR, Nikhil has accepted, with regret, FORBAT, Anthony John
Eduardo MENZIES, Paul Kevin BARRETT, Declan the following resignations: GRIGGS, Martin Joseph
PEARSON, Philip Frank CHARALAMBIDES, Demetris HAYES, Nigel Maurice James
Member (14) SHAW, Chris Bernard CHARLESWORTH, Natasha Graduate (1) HICKS, Austin Sidney
CHEW, Aik Loong SU, Kai Leung Louise HODGSON, Denys
EDISON, Ivan WATKINS, Peter James CORR, Philip Patrick DEATHS NAUGHTON, John
HIMAWAN, Aris CRAWSHAW, Joseph Joseph The deaths of the following O’DEA, Christopher Paul
IV, Socheat Graduate to Member (8) CROWE, Cathal are reported with regret: PORTER, Arthur James
KULANDEAIVELU, Muthu CHIU, Chi Kong EDGAR, Nicholas Charles
RABALSKI, Jerzy Karol
Kumar DONNELLY, Jocelyn ELIAS, Tefade Honorary Fellow (1)
READY, Reginald Frederick
LEONG, Kok Sang HO, Nguyen Vu FOGG, Jacob Henry Lord Howie of Troon
ROBERTS, Albert James
LIU, Xiayu KOH, Ze Yee HUSSAIN, Emran
LIU, Zi You Elizabeth LEUNG, Chun Ming Desmond JOSHI, Radha Fellow (11) SPEED, Cecil Harry
PHUAH, Phei Guan Ivan WONG, Sik Kwang LOKHANDWALA, Shabbir BECKETT, Geoffrey Arthur TERRY, Arthur William
TAN, Allen Suan Sim YIP, Chun Yu MBOMENA, Michael BISHOP, Ernest John THORN, Roland Berkeley
TE, Chei Yean ZHENG, Zhijian NAVARATNAM, Thushaban BOGA, Ramzan Kassamali
WANG, Mingda O’CONNOR, Alan John CANTLAY, William Gordon Graduate (1)
WANG, Wei Student to Graduate (35) O’SHEA, David DALE, Hilary Michael TOPRANI, Uttamsinh Kalyanji

Institution transfer list: 8 October 2018

TRANSFERS BUCKLE, Joanna Elise DUBROVSKIS, Dmitrijs JACKMAN, David Ian LI, Xue
Associate-Member to BULMAN, Alex DURAND, Eloi Malo JAFFE, Daniel Jonathan LI, Junyu
Member (7) BUTCHART, Caroline EDWARDS, Richard JARDINE, Ross LINTON, William
ELLOWAY, Andrew Terence CAPP, Jennifer ELLIS, James JARVIS, Caroline Lucy LUK, Ming Tao
EVATT, Shirley Ann CHAN, King Hei FAROOQ, Junaid Ul KEFALA, Paraskevi MA, Kin To Kendall
FAIRCLOUGH, Gavin James CHAN, Kin Cheung FARRELL, Michael John KENDALL, Joe MATSUZAKA, Tom
HOWLAND, Wayne CHAN, Man Fung FOSTER, Rufus Edmund KHIEU, Xuan Viet MATTHEWS, Samuel
LAMB, Alan Iain CHENG, Cheung Kin FOWLEY, Peter KING, Stephen Edward MAYO, Richard
SRIKANTHAN, Sritharan CHIRIANU, Marian FREEMAN, Benjamin Robert KINNAIRD, Raymond MAZZA PUNGETTI,
SUTCLIFFE, Kyle William CIRULIS, Mikus GOSLIN, Philippa Jean Higgs Frederick James Francesco
CLEWLOW, Thomas GRIFFIN, Jennifer Michelle KIRK, Mark MCAULIFFE, Robert
Graduate to Member (151) CLUNIE, Andrew GURUNG, Juni Kumari KO, Siu Fung Andy MCCLENAN, Thomas
AHLERS, Emily Katherine CODMAN, Steven Antony HALTON-FARROW, Josh KUMAR, Ashalata Michael
ANCA PEREIRA, Jose Alberto COOKSON, Gary Michael HAMZA, Hadi LAM, Ka Chun MCCOURT, Samuel Albert
ASTON, Timothy David DACK, Rory Robert HANNIGAN, Conor James LAW, Sai Hong MCKEE, Gary
AU, Tsz Ho DALTON, Patrick Spencer HANWAY, Margaret LAWSON, Christopher MERRETT, Jack
BAILEY, Louise D’ARCY, Craig Michael HARDY, Dominic William MIRABELLA, Roberto Agatino
BALDING, Daniel DAVIES, Andrew HINKS, James LEE, Kui Ho MISTRY, Ameet
BARTAL, Frantisek DELEHEDY, Paul Michael HO, Nok Man LEE, Ka Leung MOLINA, Ricardo
BLEEZE, Rebecca Mary DENG, Zhoukai HONG, Yu LEGNANI, Laura MOORE, Christopher James
Teresa Mchale DERLERES, Nikolaos HOWES, Simon John LESTER, Rowan MORRISSEY, Peter Francis
BRENT, Simon Rory DEZA TRUJILLO, Roberto IM, Weng Hei LEUNG, Yiu Chun MOSLEY, Jonathan Simon
BROOKS, Christopher DOLTON, Edward Jack IOANNOU, Nicolas LEUNG, Hoi Tan Alvin MURPHY, Charlotte

10 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

TSE83_10-11_elections news.indd 10 13/12/2018 10:38

 Upfront
thestructuralengineer.org Institution
InstitutionNews
news

Institution transfer list: 26 October 2018

TRANSFERS
Graduate to Member (1)
MEHTA, Mayank

Institution election/transfer/reinstatement list:

6 December 2018
At a meeting of the PRICE, John Robert Student Free (1522) has accepted, with regret, LOCKHART, Robert
Membership Committee SMITH, Simon Raymond the following resignations: Boleshaw
on 6 December 2018, the TAI, Theodore Tin Tat REINSTATEMENTS ROBERTS, Eric John
following were elected/ Fellow (1) Member (3) SRINIVASAN, Kannurpatti V
transferred/reinstated Graduate to Member (4) BROOKS, Robert Anthony ADMANS, Stuart Barry SWIDZINSKI, Zbigniew Maria
in accordance with the BAGHI, Hooman BALDOCK, Nigel Stewart Michael
Institution’s Regulations: CHAN, Yikshun Member (1) Glen TIETZ, Stefan Berthold
LI, Chun Kit LESSAN, Ardeshir NASH, Richard Julian WEATHERLEY, Noel
ELECTIONS TREACY, Mark
Honorary Fellow (1) Graduate (8) Associate-Member (2)
Member (10)
POWELL, David Martin Student to Technician (1) BANAHAN, Stephen DAVIS, William Richard
ASHTON, Colin Raymond
MARAIS, Andreas Jacobus DREW, Rebecca Jasmine SEDDON, Stephen Paul
BELCHER, Norris
Graduate (66) Hendrik GASCOIGNE, James
BERRISFORD, Carl James
HODSON, Timothy James Graduate (2)
JAMES, Dennis William
Student Employed (5) Student to Graduate (17) KEIGHLEY, Hannah BERGSAGEL, Daniel
MALONEY, Gavin CHAKMAKJIAN, Serge POINTER, Ian David
TRANSFERS MEEK, Liam POINTS, Brian Stanley
Member/Associate to SHEADER, Luke DEATHS TAVERNER, Geoffrey Clifford
Fellow (8) The deaths of the following THEI, Arthur Abraham
DAVIES, Gareth Thelwall Student Free (28) are reported with regret: TYLER, Graham Anthony
HALLUM, Andrew James WU, Kwok Ming Allen
HU, Zheng Yu NOTICE Fellow (8)
PITCHERS, Simon Jeremy RESIGNATIONS DURKIN, Kenneth Ronald Associate-Member (1)
PARMAR, Manoj The Membership Committee HOLLAND, Robert DAWSON, Peter Scott

NEALE, Ashley Adam SEN, Ziya Ozgur WILLIAMS, Lowri

O MEACHAIR, Ciaran SHEARD, Martyn WISEMAN, Allan Gordon
PALMER, James Adam SHEPHERD, Jack Andrew WONG, Ho Yin Ivan
PARBY, Camilla Ingemann SHIELDS, Rowan Thomas WONG, Man Hong
PATEL, Jayesh SMITH, Adam Michael WU, Jiajie
PETRIE, Dominic STACEY, Samuel Brian XU, Han
PHAM, Thanh Phuong STUART, Valerio YIN, Jialin
PRICE, Rupert Thomas TAMULEWICZ-DOWNEY, YOUNG, Matthew
PROBERT, David James Agata YUAN, Xue
QU, Jia Wei TAYLOR, Jonathan Peter ZHANG, Juan
TESTO, Nicola Michelle ZHANG, Enuo
QUINN, Charlotte
THEVANESAN, Yogarasa
RANGANATH BABU,
THOMAS, Matthew Miles Graduate to Associate-
Gangadhar
TONG, Siu Kuen Chloe Member (9)
RICHARDSON, Howard
TURNER, Matthew Joseph AIREY, Paul David
James Trevor
UNTERREINER, Henry Michel BROWN, Kay Verity
ROELOFS, Rick Benjamin Alexandre DAY, Maxwell William
ROSS, Alister VADALOUKAS, Dimitrios HALL, Philip Roger
RUTHERFORD, Michael VOISEY, Daniel Scott JOHNSON, Ben
RYAN, Darragh WALSH, Jonathan KASITHAMBY, Mayuran
SAUNDERS, Samuel Anthony WALTON, Robert MERRICK, Paul Andrew
SCHEIBLER-FROOD, Kristina WARREN, Ella PERRY, Martin William
Mitzi WEBSTER, David SPENCE, Michael Junior
SEAL, Joseph Frederick WILLIAMS, Adam

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 11

TSE83_10-11_elections news.indd 11 13/12/2018 10:38

 Upfront
Institution news
Changes to the Institution’s Regulations Section 4: Code
of Conduct and Guidance Notes, and Disciplinary Powers
The Institution’s main purpose, in accordance with its Royal Charter,
is to promote for the public benefit the general advancement of the
science and art of structural engineering. Members of the Institution
are proud of the high standards and expertise demonstrated by
their membership, including the exemplary standard of professional
and ethical conduct. The Bye-laws provide that members shall be
obliged at all times to uphold the reputation of their profession and
to observe the Laws of the Institution, which includes the Code of
Conduct and Guidance Notes.
The Professional Conduct Committee (the PCC) has undertaken
a comprehensive review of the Institution’s Code of Conduct and
Guidance Notes and Section 4 of the Institution’s Regulations. Taking
into consideration the relevance of the existing Code of Conduct and
Guidance Notes, good practice among other cognate organisations,
revised guidance published by the Engineering Council, and the
Statement of Ethical Principles published by the Engineering
Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering, the PCC has made
recommendations to amend the Code of Conduct and Guidance
Notes and Section 4 of the Regulations. The Institution’s Board
approved the recommendations and the new Code of Conduct and
Guidance Notes and Section 4 of the Regulations come into force on
1 January 2019.
Code of Conduct
Members shall:
1) act with integrity and fairness and in accordance with the
principles of ethical behaviour;
2) have regard to the public interest as well as the interests of all
those affected by their professional activities;
3) uphold the reputation of the profession;
4) maintain and broaden their competence and, where appropriate,
assist others to do so;
5) undertake only those tasks and accept only those appointments
for which they are competent;
6) exercise appropriate skill and judgement;
7) not maliciously or recklessly injure or attempt to injure the
reputation of another person;
8) avoid conflicts of interest.
The articles listed above constitute the Articles of the Institution’s
Code of Conduct. In addition, members shall:
a) comply with the legislation of the country in which they are
working and that which is relevant to the project location;
b) disclose to the Institution upon being declared bankrupt and/or
becoming disqualified as a Company Director and/or Charity Trustee;
c) disclose to the Institution if they have been convicted of a criminal
Get more from your membership.
Take our 5 minute survey and help us improve your
member services.
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12 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
TSE83_12_code of conduct.indd 12
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offence (other than motoring offences which did not result in
disqualification);
d) disclose to the Institution if they have been subject to an adverse
finding before any tribunal, court or other competent authority in
respect of an allegation or offence relevant to membership of the
Institution;
e) comply with the Laws of the Institution of Structural Engineers
as described by the Charter, Bye-laws, Regulations and associated
Rules.
Every member of the Institution, irrespective of grade, is required
to abide by the Code of Conduct. Please visit www.istructe.org/
about-us/governance/code-of-conduct to download the full
document.
The Institution’s procedure for investigating allegations of
misconduct, and its powers in relation to members found in breach
of the Code of Conduct, is set out in Section 4 of the Institution’s
Regulations. The Board also approved, for implementation on
1 January 2019, changes in relation to Regulations Section 4,
including among others, the following enhanced powers of the PCC:
 With respect to new Regulation 4.2.2.6, the PCC has the power
to investigate whether practice as a structural engineer is being
or has been impaired due to illness or declining health. There is
an increasing number of disciplinary cases investigated by the
PCC which suggest that there may be a health issue associated
with the member’s alleged failure(s) to comply with the Code of
Conduct.
 Careful consideration has been giving to ensure that any
investigation under the new Regulation is conducted with
sensitivity and absolute confidentiality.
 With respect to new Regulation 4.2.2.9, in the case of the PCC
ordering three consecutive suspensions of a member for non-
compliance with a decision, the PCC has the power to impose the
sanctions of the Disciplinary Board.
The Institution’s Royal Charter, Bye-laws, Regulations and
Standing Orders, in force from 1 January 2019, can be viewed and
downloaded at www.istructe.org/about-us/governance/royal-charter-
and-bye-laws.
CONTACT
For further information, contact Dr Kristy MacDonald, Disciplinary
Manager
E Email: disciplinary@istructe.org
13/12/2018 10:40
 Feature
thestructuralengineer.org Bridges for structural engineers

An introduction to bridges
for structural engineers (part 1)
Simon Bourne
BSc, MSc, DIC, CEng, FIStructE, FICE
Bridge Consultant, London, UK

Synopsis
This paper is the first of a two-part
introduction to bridge design for
structural engineers. Together,
the two parts identify nine major
issues relating to bridges, of
which structural engineers more
familiar with building design
should be aware. Part 1 addresses
construction, aesthetics, value,
environment and loads; while Part
2 will cover materials, elements,
effects and detailing.
The papers make the case for
COURTESY OF BENAIM

bridge design to be overseen

by a single guiding hand – an
experienced and creative bridge
engineer with a wide range of social,  Figure 1
Blackwater Viaduct (Ireland)
– launching construction
visionary and technical skills.

Introduction
There are a number of key issues that are
not always seen by structural engineers,
but which are very important for bridges.
There have also been a number of concerns
(including failures) around the world recently,
many of which have raised common themes
about the structural integrity of bridge
design and construction.
With failures, for example, collapses
often occur during construction and are
caused by a series of events, never just
one. Collapses during service are rarer, but
are generally caused by poor maintenance
regimes adversely affecting critical joints.
While looking at these collapses, it has
become apparent that the crucial issues are
related to the construction process and its
supervision, poor design and detailing, new
solutions, and inexperience of the team.
Failures always affect the public psyche
too, as bridges are so well liked and
remembered by people, much more so
than most buildings. Not only do bridges
show a sense of drama, but also, in having
their structure exposed, they are better
understood. They are intrinsically seen as
links between communities and across
divides, making them very comforting and
familiar.
This paper is aimed at structural
engineers, but also serves as an aide-
memoire for civil engineers. It refers mainly
to traffic bridges, which need to last over 100
years, be virtually free of maintenance and
justify their existence using public funds. It
does not directly cover footbridges, as they
are different to other bridges, being more
akin to buildings, sometimes with a shorter
lifespan and less concern over long-term
integrity, and frequently privately funded too.
I am not saying that structural engineers
should not get involved with bridges, but
simply that bridges include many aspects
that are not common in buildings. The nine
major issues identified are: construction,
aesthetics, value, environment, loads,
materials, elements, effects and detailing.
Part 1 describes the first five issues,
while Part 2 will conclude with the final four
issues and a summary that the best bridge
engineers should carry a wide range of skills
and experiences, in the true sense of Brunel
– engineers who are technically strong,
creative, visionary leaders, who can carry the
owner and all stakeholders to a solution of
the highest quality and greatest value.
Construction
Whereas the precise construction method
need not be a concern in many buildings, the
same cannot be said for bridges. Nearly all
bridges cannot (and should not) be designed
without good knowledge of the construction
method and its temporary stages1–3. The
construction method will generally have a
major effect on the design. In selecting the
best solution, the engineer should choose a
method as well as the design layout, as they
are fundamentally entwined.
Each method will produce different spans,
layouts, sections, depths, thicknesses and

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 13

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 Feature
Bridges for structural engineers
details. A bridge built by launching (Figure
1) is completely different from a bridge built
span by span or from one built in balanced
cantilever. Not only are the stage-by-stage
forces very different (and significant), but
the locked-in forces are also different and
significant.
Each method is built using a variety of
pieces of falsework, each of which impacts
upon the permanent works differently.
Erection cranes, scaffolds or props, girders
or gantries, shear legs or lifting frames,
and noses or tails all have varying effects
upon the temporary stages, and upon the
permanent set of locked-in forces (Figure 2).
These temporary effects (on temporary
and permanent works) are often larger than
any long-term condition. As the loads are
generally caused by the self-weight of the
bridge, the loads are real, as opposed to the
theoretical service loads that bridges may
COURTESY OF BENAIM
 Figure 3
Salginatobel Bridge
(Switzerland) – arch
aesthetics
COURTESY OF BENAIM
14
TSE83_13-19_Bridges for structural engineers.indd 14
never experience. As a result, great care has
to be taken to ensure the safety and integrity
of the temporary and permanent works at all
stages.
The ownership of the design at each
stage is imperative – the best option would
always be that a single guiding hand from
the designer oversees the design and
construction (D&C) process through all its
stages. Not only does it ensure that the
engineer can implement a design vision, it
also ensures that the same engineer can
oversee all the permanent works (in all its
stages) and, indeed, all the temporary works
too, which all guarantees that good value is
carried throughout the project. As soon as
this continuity of ownership is broken (having
different engineers on board), care needs
to be taken to ensure that the design is
correctly owned at all stages.
Many continental contractors are
 Figure 2
Stratford Bridge
(London) – arch
construction
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
extremely strong technically, much more
so than many UK contractors, who have
become stronger in management. The vast
majority of major bridges in the UK over
the last 25 years have, indeed, been built
or led by continental contractors, who can
manage many risks and innovations more
successfully by being strong technically.
Their technical departments would often be
larger and more experienced in design than
many UK consultants.
So, a UK contractor more experienced
in subcontracting might prefer bridge
solutions that suit this background – being
drawn towards steel solutions produced by
fabricators or pretensioned beam solutions
produced by precasters. However, a
continental contractor (or other technically
strong UK contractor) would generally
consider a wider range of steel and
prestressed concrete (PSC) options.
Ultimately, if a contractor has an
estimating, programming and technical
team that can consider many options,
it will; whereas if it has a team with
limited experiences, then it will only price
successfully those solutions for which
it does have experience. De facto, the
bridge solution that emerges will often
be determined by the experiences of the
contractor, not the consultant.
Aesthetics
Whereas the appearance of the structure in
a building is generally hidden, the structure
of a bridge is entirely on view, as it should be.
Buildings are clad to protect the occupants
and therefore the structure too. Bridges
have no need to be clad, although there are
a few rare exceptions, such as the towers
of Tower Bridge, which are steel frames
clad in stonework. Bridge structures should
stand proud and be designed entirely with
that in mind. It is noted in the Environment
section that bridges can readily be made
with structures that can withstand over 100
years of weathering, and thus cladding never
makes any sense.
Referring to Vitruvius’s De architectura,
the three principles of firmitas, utilitas
and venustas can be seen. Firmitas is the
attribute of durability and robustness – a
given for any structure. Utilitas is the utility,
or function of the structure, i.e. the wise
use of the owner’s money. Venustas is the
beauty, or form, i.e. the elegant structure that
enhances the built environment and delights
society. This is the classic balance between
form and function.
Ideally, this balance at the early stages of
design should be held within the mind of a
13/12/2018 10:41

thestructuralengineer.org
COURTESY OF BENAIM
single guiding hand – the same guiding hand
referred to in the Construction section. This
bridge engineer should have a thorough
grasp of the aesthetic ideals, related to
context, scale, lines, balance of mass and
void, and good proportions. This engineer
should have the vision and leadership to
drive an elegant solution through to delivery.
Most bridges are dominated by their
engineering and environmental challenges,
and it is nearly always the resolution of these
issues that defines the beauty and success
of the bridge. Generally, solutions that are
designed to suit the flow of forces will tend
to have a natural elegance, with that flow
being an expression of strength and stability.
All public surveys of bridge design tend to
show that most people are drawn towards
arch structures4, as they are recognisable
as being safe, soothing and elegant (Figure
3). Equally, suspension structures have the
same feel to the general public, albeit the
typical spans are much larger (Figure 4).
It is no accident that the vast majority of
ancient bridges were indeed either arches or
catenaries.
Beams, whether of constant or variable
depth or trusses, are often seen as being
unsatisfactory by the public, as even though
everyone knows that they work, most do not
understand how they work. However, beams
are often the most effective construction
(and, therefore, value) option, but they
must all still be designed with care for the
aesthetics (Figure 5).
Interestingly, cable-stayed bridges often
split opinion. Many like the extreme thinness
of the decks and the almost invisible
TSE83_13-19_Bridges for structural engineers.indd 15
"SOLUTIONS DESIGNED TO
SUIT THE FLOW OF FORCES
WILL TEND TO HAVE A
NATURAL ELEGANCE"
cables, but are perturbed by the lack of
understanding as to how the bridge works.
In the engineering community by contrast,
cable-stayed bridges are invariably well liked,
as we understand them5.
The role of architects in this aesthetic
process can be a welcome addition, as
long as the architect is skilled in bridge
design and respects the considerable
forces at work in a bridge. Architects can
also bring a wider appreciation of the social
and environmental issues, but the type of
engineer described above must remain
entirely in control. It is worth remembering
that the vast majority of the world’s most
fabulous bridges had no independent
architectural input, or any additional
architectural premium applied to them.
All bridges should be fine pieces of
engineering of the highest quality, including
aesthetics, and this can readily be achieved
without any additional architectural features
or costs. The skilful engineer who is well
aware of the aesthetic demands of the
scheme should select the best option for the
owner, and stakeholders, and also be aware
as to when independent architectural input
might be valuable. D&C projects are equally
able to produce wonderful solutions, as none
of the aesthetic parameters outlined above
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
Feature
Bridges for structural engineers
 Figure 4
Humber Bridge
(Yorkshire)
– catenary
aesthetics
would tend to add any significant cost to a
well-designed bridge6,7.
Value
In a building, the structural content might
only be 20% of the total cost, and as such
the architect tends to lead the design and
the engineer supports the team. However, in
bridges, where the structural content might
be 90% of the total cost, the engineer must
lead and an architect, if needed, should
provide support. Bridges are therefore much
more dominated by their structure, and its
cost, than any building (with its mechanical
and electrical (M&E), and architectural
costs). All engineers must be familiar
with the costs of their project, but bridge
engineers must be much more familiar, as
every decision taken from the early stages
will have an impact upon value.
As noted in the Construction section, the
design of most bridges is heavily influenced
by the construction method and scale of
the project, which dominate the programme
and directly affect costs. In order to make
good decisions about the most appropriate
bridge type and span, the engineer must
understand these various methods, and
indeed, the selection of a particular method
will then define the bridge type and span.
It is surprisingly easy for a skilful bridge
engineer to produce costs for different
bridge types, as there are good data
available for a breakdown to be produced2,8,9.
Such data are not required to determine an
exact project cost, but to select which out
of several good options might be the most
effective. In this case, engineers can use
15
13/12/2018 10:41
 Feature
Bridges for structural engineers thestructuralengineer.org

 Figure 5
Clackmannanshire
Bridge (Scotland) –
beam aesthetics
COURTESY OF TIM SHAW

overall rates for concrete, reinforcement, greater degree of precision than can ever
prestressing, steelwork, formwork and
"THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE be the case. At the stage of producing

BRIDGES ARE ONES THAT CAN

falsework to get a total structural cost. drawings, for example, the engineer might

BE BUILT QUICKLY, AS WELL

These overall rates must include for only have to choose between a B16 or B20
materials, as well as allowances for the bar, which is over 50% larger. The key is
method-related labour and plant costs. AS EASILY AND SAFELY" whether the overall solution is correct, not
It is clear when working with such figures the minutiae of the analysis. It is best not
that the most cost-effective bridges are to ponder excessively on individual code
ones that can be built quickly, as well as used wisely. Ultimately though, fine tuning clauses, complex 3D analyses or multiple
easily and safely, i.e. speed of construction the final few percent of an analysis that can spreadsheets, but to concentrate on good
will generally determine the best option. only ever be an approximation to reality, solutions and details, which can be built
This importance of speed applies to rural is an illusion of accuracy, suggesting a safely, easily and quickly, often on cold, wet
or coastal sites (where mechanisation can
reduce labour costs), and to schemes in
the urban environment, where reduction of
traffic management or possession costs can
 Figure 6
Simple bridge
– material cost
comparison
be dominant.
As most bridges are public structures, the
term good value not only relates to costs,
but also to the needs of the owner, quality,
aesthetics, the integrity of the design over
the life of the bridge, environmental impact
and the needs of society. This is a wide set
of demands that a skilful engineer must
keep in mind at all times. As part of the
cost assessment, the bridge must be made
as durable and free from maintenance as
possible. It is not always necessary to drive
material quantities down to reduce costs,
as the selection of the best construction
method is much more likely to be a critical
factor.
The increasing use of finite-element (FE)
analyses should certainly be applauded, if

16 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

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thestructuralengineer.org
 Figure 7
Broadmeadow Estuary Bridge
(Ireland) – bearing
COURTESY OF BENAIM
and remote sites8.
As noted in the Construction section,
the bridge solution that emerges will
often be determined by the experiences
of the contractor, not the consultant. A
team more familiar with steelwork will
select that option, whereas a team more
experienced with prestressing will tend to
choose PSC options.
Much debate can be had about the
suitability of various concrete or steel
bridge rates, but nevertheless it is still
possible to see which materials are most
economic in carrying basic loads. Simple
calculations show that it is twice as
cheap (in £/MN) to carry compressions
in concrete than in steelwork, which is
why bridge deck slabs and piers are
invariably concrete (Figure 6). The same
calculations show that prestressing strand
is cheaper than reinforcement, which is
why it is better to use PSC bridges than
reinforced concrete. Reinforcement is also
twice as cheap in tension as steelwork,
which is why as much as possible of the
top tension in a continuous composite
deck should be carried by reinforcement.
Actually though, it is the method of
producing the webs that determines
the overall solution – PSC bridges have
concrete webs and thus use prestressing
throughout, whereas composite bridges
have steel webs and thus use steel
flanges, albeit some are composite. The
COURTESY OF BENAIM
best solution might be for a hybrid system
with concrete compression flanges,
steel webs and prestressing carrying
the tensions, which is similar to some
innovative schemes seen outside the UK
recently.
TSE83_13-19_Bridges for structural engineers.indd 17
Environment
Whereas most buildings are clad, and are
therefore protected from the elements,
bridges are very rarely clad (and should
never be) and are thus always exposed to
the environment – the two key components
being sun and rain. The net result is that
bridges undergo significant temperature
changes and have to accommodate
large amounts of water (often salt-laden).
They have to remain durable under these
conditions for at least 100 years, which
makes them very different to nearly all
building structures.
The axial changes in a bridge due to
temperature give rise to movements of up
to ±400mm. Any concrete in a composite
steelwork section will shrink, while concrete
in a PSC member will also undergo elastic
shortening and creep. These effects are
of a similar order of magnitude to the
temperature movements, and thus add
significantly to the total. The result is that all
bridges must be designed to accommodate
these movements. If movements are allowed,
then the bridge has no resulting axial
stresses, whereas if they are restrained, the
bridge will pick up stresses. Bridges over
about 60m in length will have bearings at
most support positions. These bearings
need to carry the vertical (and lateral) loads
from the bridge down to the substructure,
while allowing the bridge to move
longitudinally (Figure 7).
As well as resisting lateral loads,
bridges also need to be held firmly against
 Figure 8
River Dee Viaduct
(Wales) – integral piers
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
Feature
Bridges for structural engineers
longitudinal loads. As a result, while the
majority of bearings will allow longitudinal
movement, some do need to be fixed against
it – it is at these fixed bearings that the
longitudinal loads from traffic, wind, impact
or differential friction are carried.
Bridges with lengths less than about 60m
should be designed as integral structures,
wherever possible, i.e. with the elimination
of bearings, as bearings are a maintenance
burden, needing to be replaced every 25
years or so. Integral bridges carry all loads
directly in the structure and accommodate
movements through the use of various
flexible structural solutions.
Integral piers can still be used on
bridges over 60m, as long as there is
enough flexibility in the system (Figure 8),
but eventually it becomes impossible to
accommodate the larger movements and
bearings must be incorporated. So, whereas
in buildings the stability is usually provided
by a selection of staircase or lift cores,
bracing or shear walls, in most bridges,
the stability is provided by fixed or guided
bearings acting on rigid piers or abutments.
At the ends of bridges, there is a need
for expansion joints between the bridge
and adjacent structure. As these joints are
a significant maintenance burden, and as
much of the distress that has been seen
historically (including some collapses) does
indeed occur at joints, it is always best to
limit their number. Single lengths of bridge
can be 1500m long without intermediate
joints; therefore, it is common to use
17
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Bridges for structural engineers thestructuralengineer.org

 Figure 9
Stratford Bridge
(London) –
weathering steel

continuous bridges, wherever possible, i.e.

to avoid simple spans with multiple joints3,10.
The only exception is on railways, where
structural joints are generally incorporated at
about 80m centres, to avoid expensive joints
in the rail.
As noted at the start of this section,
rain (or water ingress) has a major impact
on bridges, especially those where road
salts are used as a de-icing material. This
corrosive water needs to be kept well away
from sensitive bridge details, especially joints
and connections. This is achieved through
the use of well-detailed deck waterproofing
membranes, together with a series of drips,
falls, gullies and pipes to carry the water
away.
The structure itself will usually be exposed
COURTESY OF BENAIM

to salt-laden spray, and thus both concrete

and steel surfaces need to have adequate
ability to survive for many years. Concrete
can be specified to be maintenance-free for
over 100 years by the appropriate use of
cement content, water-to-cement ratio and
cement type to define the correct cover to
the reinforcement2. typical loads might be 2–5kN/m2, the
The latest range of sophisticated
"CORROSIVE WATER NEEDS standard uniform load in bridges is around
paintwork systems for steelwork can
TO BE KEPT WELL AWAY FROM 5kN/m2 for footbridges, 10kN/m2 on

SENSITIVE BRIDGE DETAILS"

provide 20 to 30-year lives before major
maintenance is required, although it is
increasingly common to use weathering
steel (Figure 9), which can also be
maintenance-free for over 100 years, as long
as it is detailed to avoid excessive exposure
to salt spray3.
Most bridges in the developed world
undergo a structured routine of regular
inspections and maintenance, although
global failures clearly highlight that the costs
of maintenance do prohibit many owners
from implementing thorough regimes. The
performance of bridges must be continually
monitored against any changes in use, or
any increases in loading or reductions in
strength due to deterioration that has not
yet been repaired or strengthened. Regular
visual inspections are supplemented by
more detailed assessments or testing
regimes as the bridge ages; on larger
bridges, instrumentation can be installed to
allow real-time monitoring. This proactive
management of bridge stocks is essential,
as well-maintained bridges are not only
more economic but also safer. With such
maintenance regimes, bridges can be
expected to last well over 100 years3,11.
There are several environmental effects
that do not affect bridges at all. Snow is
never an issue as traffic load intensities
are considerably higher, and fire is rarely a
concern as there is nothing in the majority
of bridges that is combustible. There is
also very little M&E input on most bridges;
certainly nothing like the scale seen in
buildings, albeit the interfaces with M&E and
control systems are a major consideration on
moveable bridges.
The only other important environmental
effects are related to wind and earthquakes.
Static wind loads should be included for all
bridges, but it is only for the very longest
or most slender structures that any serious
dynamic assessment needs to be carried
out. Nearly all beam or arch bridges will not
fall in to this category, whereas nearly all
cable-stayed or suspension bridges will need
to be assessed for wind-related resonances.
Seismic effects can affect all bridges,
just as in buildings, but most bridge
superstructures are rarely sized by them, as
traffic loads are more dominant. However,
bridge bearings and substructures can be
significantly sized by seismicity, in areas of
the world where you would normally expect
to find such issues.
Loads
Traffic loads on bridges are not only
larger than in buildings, but also more
concentrated. Whereas in buildings the
highways and 10–30kN/m2 on railways,
depending on whether the trains are light
or heavy metro, or full size (Figure 10). The
concentrated loads that can be applied
almost anywhere on the bridge deck relate
to vehicles or locomotives weighing 100–
200t – these vehicles produce large axle and
wheel loads that can be critical for local and
global effects on the bridge deck.
As the loads are larger, more concentrated
and can be positioned almost anywhere, it is
common to use influence lines or surfaces
to select the worst load positions that create
the peak effects. Although the stiffness
analysis of line beams and 2D grillages (or
frames) can adequately predict the self-
weight and traffic loads for most bridges,
it is increasingly common to use 3D space
frames or FE analyses. As with any structure,
the engineer should be able to, firstly, carry
out an analysis by hand; secondly, carry out
a simple computer analysis with line beams
or 2D models; before thirdly, carrying out a
final, more complex 3D analysis to hone the
details.
The eccentricity of these large
concentrated loads also produces significant
torsions – torsional loads are not usually
seen in buildings, or can be ignored in the
plastic design that is generally used. For
deck sections with multiple girders, the
result is to determine which girders carry
the peak loads, but for box-girder decks,

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the result is significant torsions that also

REFERENCES
produce torsional and distortional warping.
These warping effects can be analysed with E 1) Concrete Bridge Development Group – utilitas versus venustas’, The Structural
charts and tables, or can be assessed with (2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and Engineer, 93 (1), pp. 54–57
various FE analyses. The warping stresses Construction series. No. 5: Concrete bridge E 7) Concrete Bridge Development Group
are elastic and incorporated into the design formwork and falsework’, The Structural (2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and
of non-compact steel boxes at the ultimate Engineer, 92 (5), pp. 42–46 Construction series. No. 1: Introduction to
limit state (ULS) and PSC boxes at the E 2) Concrete Bridge Development concrete bridges’, The Structural Engineer, 92
serviceability limit state (SLS). Group (2015) Technical Guide No. 14: Best (1), pp. 41–46
Bridges also have large horizontal forces Construction Methods for Concrete Bridges E 8) Bourne S. (2013) ‘Prestressing: recovery
– Cost Data, Camberley: CBDG and The of the lost art’, The Structural Engineer, 91 (2),
from the vehicles they carry, both laterally
Concrete Society pp. 12–22
and longitudinally. Braking, traction, nosing
and centrifugal effects can all produce E 3) Steel Construction Institute (2015) SCI E 9) Concrete Bridge Development Group
Publication P185. Steel Bridge Group: Guidance (2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and
large loads on the substructure, although
Notes on Best Practice in Steel Bridge Construction series. No. 4: Types of concrete
they tend not to have a huge effect on the Construction, Ascot: SCI bridge’, The Structural Engineer, 92 (4), pp.
decks. Impact loads from vehicles are also
E 4) Concrete Bridge Development Group 45–50
important, both on the deck and piers. In
(2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and E 10) Concrete Bridge Development
extreme, marine piers of large bridges are Construction series. No. 8: Concrete bridge Group (2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and
designed to carry ship impact loads that can construction methods – arches and frames’, Construction series. No. 2: Concrete bridge
be 20–100MN. The Structural Engineer, 92 (8), pp. 34–38 layouts’, The Structural Engineer, 92 (2), pp.
As in buildings, the imposed loads on E 5) Concrete Bridge Development Group 28–32
medium-sized structures might be similar (2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and E 11) Concrete Bridge Development Group
to the self-weight loads. However, on small Construction series. No. 11: Specialist (2014) ‘Concrete Bridge Design and
bridges (10–20m spans), traffic loads will concrete bridges’, The Structural Engineer, 92 Construction series. No. 12: Management of
(11), pp. 34–39
become more dominant, whereas on large concrete bridges’, The Structural Engineer, 92
bridges (60–2000m spans), the self-weight E 6) Bourne S. (2015) ‘Landmark bridges (12), pp. 40–45
becomes hugely critical. In these cases, the
key design factor is to reduce self-weight.
This is why larger bridges in concrete are
highly tuned with profiled slabs to reduce  Figure 10
STAR rail
viaducts
thickness and why the most efficient PSC (Kuala
Lumpur) –
girder is a single-cell box with two webs. metro train
loads
Equally, larger bridges in steel start off using
stiffened webs and composite top flanges
(which are economic) and eventually become
sections made entirely from orthotropic
steelwork, i.e. with stiffened webs and
flanges throughout. All these types of
more complex section need a greater
understanding of structural behaviour than
simple beams.
It becomes clear when working on bridges
that the best units to use are often MN
and m. Most loads and shears are best
expressed in MN and bending moments are
commonly in MNm, while section properties
are sensibly given using m2 and m3. The net
result is that stresses come out in MN/m2,
which is the same as N/mm2.

To be continued…
Part 2 will cover the final four issues –
materials, structural elements, structural
effects, and detailing – as well as presenting
overall conclusions.
COURTESY OF BENAIM

HAVE YOUR SAY

To comment on this article:

Eemail Verulam at tse@istructe.org
Etweet @IStructE #TheStructuralEngineer

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 Project focus
Solar Gate thestructuralengineer.org

Solar Gate, Hull –

form through function
Synopsis
Will Arnold
The Solar Gate sculpture is one of a number of Arup-led interventions in MEng, CEng, MIStructE
Hull made possible through the city being awarded the title of UK City of Senior Engineer, Arup, London, UK
Culture for 2017. The ethereal structure’s fabrication made use of local
industry, allowing Hull’s industrial heritage and knowledge to reinvent Ed Clark
itself to produce cutting-edge, contemporary art. MEng, CEng, FIStructE, MICE
This paper summarises the innovative design process that was Director, Arup, London, UK
followed by the team, testing methods in parametric design and
evolutionary optimisation to take a design concept and refine it into an
Giancarlo Torpiano
optimised structure. It describes how digital methods of working were BE&A, MArch(AA)
used to facilitate a fast and efficient design dialogue between engineer Engineer, Arup, London, UK
and architect, leading to a design where the inherent beauty results from
its engineering efficiency.

Background and concept

 Figure 1
Solar Gate, Hull Arup was approached by Tonkin Liu after
the architectural firm was appointed through
competition to create a new artwork for Hull’s
city centre (Figure 1). The artwork was to be
paid for through City of Culture funding, and
was to be erected in the city-centre Queen’s
Gardens during 2017 to celebrate the city’s
year in the spotlight.
The plan was to collaborate on the design
of a stressed skin structure, with the two
firms having previously designed pieces
using a similar approach. We have been
exploring this method of building porous shell
structures for nearly a decade now, naming
the method ‘shell lace structure’. We intended
to use this method to create a 10m tall sundial
for the city centre, fabricated from plate steel
just 4mm thick (Figures 2 and 3).

Shell lace structure and Hull

Shell geometry has historically been used to
great effect by eminent engineers such as
Félix Candela, Eladio Dieste and Pier Luigi
Nervi to produce beautifully efficient forms
based on sound engineering principles.
Given the lack of digital technologies in their
time, these forms were often based on pure,
mathematically derived, geometries. They
utilised concrete, bricks and ceramics; often
requiring complex timber formwork to realise
WILL ARNOLD / ARUP

the design.
The research Arup has undertaken with
Tonkin Liu during the past decade has
sought to modernise such techniques. We
have used digital design and analysis to

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 Figure 2
Sculpture uses
"THE AMBITION ... TO
MINIMISE MATERIAL USAGE
apertures in its two
surfaces to highlight

THROUGH GEOMETRY ... CAN

notable dates

ONLY HAPPEN IF THERE IS A

CLEAR STRUCTURAL
STRATEGY"
TONKIN LIU

TONKIN LIU
 Figure 3
3D-printed
model to test solar
aperture concept

allow us to explore a range of complex and

advanced geometries (Figure 4) – while
remaining true to principles employed by the
aforementioned greats.
This approach to design is grounded in the
design team’s interest in natural structures.
In nature, material is used sparingly, and
strength is often derived through geometry
(which is often curved and/or corrugated;
hence, the ‘shell’ part). This approach also
leads to the removal of material where it isn’t
required – producing a delicate, lace-like, yet
highly efficient structure.
We define shell lace structure as having
curvature, corrugation and perforation.
Constructed from sheet materials with a
form made from individual developable
surfaces, once connected together into
 Figure 4
TONKIN LIU

non-developable forms, the structure has the Example from Shell

required curvature and corrugation to ensure
stiffness and strength.
The ambition with shell lace structure is to
minimise material usage through geometry,
and this can only happen if there is a clear
structural strategy for each piece we create.
While previous pieces primarily support
vertical loads, Solar Gate is the first where
the primary load case is lateral, due to wind
forces.
Design
It was agreed that Solar Gate would be an
undulating, porous ‘wing’ cantilevering up
out of the ground, 10m tall and 4m wide. The
‘wing’ would be widest at the base, tapering
up its height as well as across its width.
The sculpture would be made from thin
sheets of steel, cut and bent to form waves,
nestled alongside each other, and welded
together along the seams to form a stiff ‘box’
structure (Figures 5–7).
Wind loading would be the dominant design
case due to low self-weight and large area,
and so the two faces of the sculpture would
Lace Structure exhibition
at RIBA in 2014
primarily be designed to act in tension and
compression. As the welded seams would be
furthest from the neutral axis of the structure,
it was anticipated that these would attract
most of the push-pull forces (Figure 8). A
quick hand calculation indicated that if 4mm
plate was used, then approx. 400mm total
width of ‘seam’ would need to be mobilised at
the base of the structure – feasible given the
full 4m width of the piece.
While the seams would carry most of the

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 Figure 6
Plates are placed up against each other before welding
along seams (viewed below four times, rotating left to right)

push-pull stresses required to resist wind

loading, the material between the seams
 Figure 5
Flat plate is cut
and bent in single
curvature only
would stabilise the rest of the structure. As
each plate meets the neighbouring plate at an
angle of around 90°, the plates would stiffen
each other against buckling. In Figs. 5–8, the E Figure 7
Plates are repeated
to give overall form,
red plate stabilises the blue plate, and vice- and ‘kissing point’ is cut
versa. out to allow sides to be
welded together
The point where the two faces of the
sculpture meet (the ‘kissing point’) transfers
shear from one face to the other, and so we If left unpainted,
sketched out a detail with a division plate duplex stainless
to allow the two sides to be joined. This steel (a higher grade
completed the structural diagram and enables of steel that has a
the push-pull faces to act compositely. higher resistance
The sculpture would also be perforate, to corrosion) would
allowing visitors to see inside it as well as have been required
letting light pass through. It was hoped that if to avoid widespread
the porosity could be increased sufficiently, discolouration over
we could also justify a reduction in wind time, which would
loading. Finally, in addition to the general have been more
porosity through the structure, several larger expensive. However,
holes would act as ‘sundials’, allowing the as the artwork was
sun through the sculpture on certain dates painted, the more
to highlight notable events marked on the standard grade 1.4301 material was
ground, an important aspect in the architect’s deemed to be sufficient.
BOX 1. PARAMETRIC DESIGN
concept (Figs. 2 and 3).
Digital process
Parametric design, when applied to
Material choice Projects such as small sculptures, artworks structural engineering, is a process where
Painting the structure was a key decision and pavilions often present opportunities parameters such as length or height are
architecturally, but one that the team debated to experiment with new design techniques, defined as part of a computer script (list
repeatedly throughout the design process. materials or construction concepts. We were of commands) that has been written to
Even though painted, we still chose to work keen to work with Tonkin Liu to look for ways generate a resulting geometry.
Parametric design is well suited to
with grade 1.4031 stainless steel, so that paint to push the concept of shell lace structure
situations where the engineer wishes to
erosion would not lead to structural damage further, and they agreed with our proposal change multiple parameters and view their
or result in unsightly rust staining over the to use this piece to explore new avenues for effect on an overall geometry or design. It
sculpture’s surface. This was important given structural optimisation. We decided to test is commonly used by architects interested
that the artwork is highly porous and the different variations of the desired geometry in ‘freeform’ geometries, by generating
many edges to the structure increases the with a goal of maximising the porosity of the curvature through mathematical formulae.
risk of paint damage over time. sculpture.

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BOX 2. RHINO
Rhinoceros 3D (usually just called
‘Rhino’) is a 3D computer-aided design
programme. It is used across different
industries, including mechanical
engineering and product design. The
programme contains tools that enable
the user to create 3D geometry, regular
or freeform. When used in structural
engineering, the user will often export
the resulting geometry for use in finite-
element analysis programmes.
 Figure 8
Seams of sculpture (shaded) attract most of
load, with material between providing local stability
As a team of engineers and architects,
we were used to working through sharing
of digital models. On previous projects, we
had followed the traditional process whereby
the agreed concept would be turned into a
digital model; critiqued against criteria such
as strength, stiffness, constructability and
aesthetic merit; and an approach agreed for
the next design iteration. The updated design
would then be reanalysed to confirm if the
desired improvements had been achieved.
This existing process was often a manual
one – with changes in geometry sculpted by
a user in a 3D digital environment, and new
analysis models set up from the geometrical
models and tested. Manual design processes
would often be qualitative (driven by
engineering judgement), and limited by the
number of design iterations that can be
tested due to time constraints.
For Solar Gate, we experimented with
digital design techniques to:
 generate the geometry of the sculpture
parametrically for quicker creation of 3D
models (Box 1)
 link the generated geometry directly to real-
time analysis, so that the repercussions of
TSE83_20-29_ Project focus Solar Gate.indd 23
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Solar Gate
BOX 3. GRASSHOPPER
Grasshopper is a graphical programming language that creates geometry within Rhino.
It uses components that are pre-made within Grasshopper, each of which performs a different
function. To write a script, the user simply links two or more components together – an intuitive
process that requires no programming knowledge at all.
The components work with numerical information either taken from the Rhino model, inputted
by the user, or calculated as part of the Grasshopper script.
The user links multiple components together to create the geometry they desire. When the
user then updates numerical information in the script, the geometry automatically updates.
An example is the line component, which draws a line between two points in space. This can
be used in several different ways:
1) The points could have been drawn in Rhino already, in which case the user can select each
of them with a component called point. Linking the point components to the line component,
Grasshopper will then draw a line from one to the other (Figure 9). Once this script is created,
the line will update automatically in response to the user moving the points around in the Rhino
model.
2) A second way to do this would be for the user to choose to define the location of the points
in Grasshopper using a different component called constructpoint. To do this, they need to tell
the script what X, Y and Z coordinates to use. Linking this to line has the same output, but is more
parametric, as the user can later update these coordinates within the script. As the parameters
are changed (e.g. the Y coordinate is increased), the point and line will both move (Figure 10).
Grasshopper leaves it up to the user how best to utilise its components to achieve their end
goal. It is popular among both students and professionals because it is intuitive yet has a huge
amount of potential (Figure 11), as users download additional plug-ins as required by their work.
Visit www.grasshopper3d.com/page/tutorials-1 to get started.
W Figure 9
Using
Grasshopper to
draw line between
two points created
in Rhino
W Figure 10
One of points
here has been
defined within
Grasshopper, by
constructing point
from coordinates
W Figure 11
Grasshopper enables
user to run minimal surface
form-finding routine in just a
few clicks. Image on left shows
tensile (tent-style) structure,
with image on right showing user
interface for software
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N "HUNDREDS OF ITERATIONS
Figure 14
Mapping stresses

OF GEOMETRIES WERE
to porosity

 Figure 12
Selection of computer-
generated geometries tested
CYCLED THROUGH"
for stress and stiffness

changes to the sculpture could be gauged versus axial stiffness around the wavy plate? became a simple matter of changing
immediately  Change in profile over the height: should numerical values in the script, and Karamba
 automatically work through different options the sculpture be concave or convex when would immediately calculate the stresses and
and analyse them using these methods, viewed side-on? deflection for the resulting form. With this set-
scoring each option based on structural  Structural shape on plan: a diamond shape, up, we drastically improved the speed of our
criteria we determined, and selecting the a convex rugby ball, or a concave double design–analyse loop, allowing us to critique
best performing geometry. teardrop? design changes instantly, and quantitatively.
 Porosity: removing material would reduce This feedback loop, where design decisions
We agreed to use this exercise to question wind loads, although it would also weaken were informed by live analysis data, was a
the intricacies of the of the design, with a the structure and reduce its stiffness – what good complement to intuition and engineering
desire to understand if any of the following was the sweet-spot? judgement.
aspects could help the structure perform However, with so many variables, each with
more efficiently: Digital critiquing an analogue range of possible solutions, the
 Pattern of waves: how best to balance To start, we defined the geometry of total number of possible geometries was vast.
shear stiffness across the kissing points the sculpture parametrically through the To find an ‘optimised’ geometry, we wanted
Grasshopper1 plug-in for McNeel Rhinoceros2 to explore this range of possible solutions
(‘Rhino’; Boxes 2 and 3). The challenge
was recreating the conceptual form of
the sculpture as a completely rule-based
S Figure 15
Sensitivity studies comparing 1D and 2D
element models gave similar deflection results
geometry, with no manual steps involved
other than inputting values for different
parameters and dimensions. This meant
creating definitions that would take:
 height
 width
 thickness at centre
 thickness at edges
 thickness at top
 width of the waves
 pitch of the waves up the height
 variation in pitch of the waves
 Figure 13
Stress
pattern indicating
 amplitude of the waves
tension and and create a 3D model from them.
compression
forces along The 3D model was then linked up to a
seams and Grasshopper plug-in called Karamba3 to carry
through kissing
points to opposing out finite-element (FE) analysis within the
face
Rhino 3D environment (i.e. without needing to
export it to another analysis package).
With this Grasshopper script, altering
variables (such as the width of the waves)

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(limited by defining criteria such as maximum

stress), score each of them, and select our
preference.
We did this by following an automated
evolutionary optimisation technique (Box 4)
to arrive at the best solutions for different
parameters we wished to explore.

Evolutionary fine tuning

In a manual design loop, it is often the case
that the engineer doesn’t consider what
the criteria for ‘best’ are until they start to
interpret the results of their analysis:

‘This version of the design has a lower

deflection than the previous, but we were
already within the agreed deflection limits
before, and so this updated design isn’t
necessarily more useful to us.’

‘That change has increased the support

reaction from 600kN to 900kN, but we could
just use two piles instead of one, so that’s OK.’ N Figure 16
Example of tailoring S Figure 17
Cutting patterns for one quarter of Solar Gate

Automating the process, we had to specify

the design criteria in advance. We wanted
to optimise for a maximum stress of 100%
utilisation, but also wished to minimise the
average utilisation throughout the structure.
This would give a geometry with seams
positioned to attract most of the force,
allowing us to make the rest of the plate
between seams as porous as possible.
To automate this process, we used a
Grasshopper plug-in called Galapagos,
linking our Grasshopper geometry script and
Karamba FE analysis into the evolutionary
solver plug-in (Box 4). The process was set
up to identify forms with the highest overall
utilisation of material for a given thickness
of steel plate, but where our predetermined
maximum allowable stress and deflection
TONKIN LIU

were not exceeded.

Hundreds of iterations of geometries were
cycled through, with the process converging

towards a solution based on the criteria

BOX 4. EVOLUTIONARY OPTIMISATION we fed it – e.g. highest peak stresses with
lowest average stresses.
The evolutionary optimisation technique borrows from Darwinian principles of evolution. While This method of design resembled the
evolution allows ‘fit’ individuals to exchange genes, this technique allows options which score
traditional design ➞ analyse ➞ interpret
well against predefined criteria to exchange the parameters used to generate that design.
Some random ‘mutations’, or minor changes to inherited parameters, ensure that not all ➞ choose ➞ redesign loop. However, by
characteristics are inherited from previous options and that the search is widened. defining clear rules for each step, the
Iterated over many generations, this technique can be useful in allowing particularly ‘optimal’ process was able to work through hundreds
combinations of parameters to be identified – with the user determining the best criteria for the of options in the time that an engineer could
method to converge on. perhaps review only one or two.
The Galapagos4 plug-in for Grasshopper is an evolutionary optimisation script. The user gives
Getting the diagram and general
it variables to control within the geometry script, and defines what to solve for. Galapagos then
cycles through iterations of geometry, comparing each with the solving criteria. By keeping proportions right at the start meant that
aspects from well-performing geometries, it converges on a solution closest to the solution this automated process was focused on
defined as ‘optimal’ by the user. exploring and fine-tuning parameters of
the geometry where repercussions were

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 Project focus
Solar Gate
 Figure 18
Pieces cut out, labelled,
and ready for bending
 Figure 19
Installation under
way on first side
complex or not immediately
clear, such as the number
of waves up the height, and
how the size of these varies.
Figure 12 shows some of
the computer-generated
geometries that were tested
within the ranges set by the
engineer, with Galapagos
rating each based on its
stiffness and material stress
utilisation.
We retained full control
of the process by defining
the rules at each stage,
and engineering judgement
remained critical to limit
the possible values that
could be applied to each
N Figure 20
Weld details provided
to fabricator
parameter, ensuring that we would agree with
the feasibility of the geometry. For example,
optimising to find the stiffest structure would
N Figure 21
Kissing plates welded to
one side near top of sculpture
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thestructuralengineer.org
lead to unnecessary use of material, and so
we chose to target a deflection under wind
loading of height/100, setting up the script to
get as high a deflection as possible without
exceeding this target.
After reviewing each change, we then
reviewed the new optimised geometry with
Tonkin Liu to assess the aesthetic merit –
generally agreeing that the newly optimised
form met the design intent, with aesthetic
beauty resulting from the structural elegance
of the solution.
Once we were satisfied with the geometry
of the surface, we used a final script to output
the allowable porosity (based on the inverse
of the stress utilisation) across the surface
of the sculpture, feeding this into a Tonkin
Liu script that generated the porosity cutting
patterns. This porosity was also fed back into
the analysis model, reducing material stiffness
and wind loading in appropriate proportion to
porosity, and assessing how this changed the
 Figure 22
Inspection
of one of sides
13/12/2018 10:50
 Project focus
thestructuralengineer.org Solar Gate

TONKIN LIU
N Figure 24
Inspection
by Arup team prior to
painting
PEARLGREEN

 Figure 23
Test-fitting two sides
to confirm alignment

Fabrication
"THE CUTTING PROFILES A Hull-based fabricator, Pearlgreen

INCLUDED ALL Engineering, was appointed to construct

PERFORATIONS"
force distribution. This process was iterative,
as the altered stress distribution (Figure 13)
changed the allowable porosity distribution
across the surface (Figure 14).
At this point, we could have chosen to
set up an FE model that used a mesh small
enough to include all the holes across the
the artwork. The use of local labour in this
way meant that much of the City of Culture
funding set aside for Solar Gate found its way
back into the pockets of Hull’s workforce.
We worked with Pearlgreen to understand
how to turn the sculpture from a 3D digital
model into a real artwork.
Shell lace structure is inspired by the art
of tailoring. In tailoring, flat sheets of material
are cut into shapes that, when curved in
one direction, create the 3D form of a piece
TONKIN LIU

artwork; however, this would have resulted of clothing (Figure 16). Similarly, Solar Gate
in a very large, slow model, going against the is formed from flat sheets of steel cut into
concept of using digital techniques to add shapes that, when curved in one direction,
efficiency to the process.
Instead, we incorporated the porosity by
automating the stiffness of each 2D element
to be based on its porosity – taking an
inverse linear relationship between the two.
We verified this assumption by undertaking
sensitivity studies in Oasys GSA5 – comparing
1D element representations of a piece of shell
lace to our 2D reduced-stiffness equivalent.
These gave similar deflection results, with
our assumptions on the 2D model showing as
slightly conservative (Figure 15).
As a final check on all our assumptions,
and to check that we had not made mistakes
when setting up the design–analysis script,
we finished by exporting our final surface
geometry and reanalysing it as a more refined
HULL CITY COUNCIL

mesh in Oasys GSA. We also used this new

model to undertake final buckling checks,
estimate the fatigue life of the weld details,
and confirm Karamba’s initial predictions on  Figure 25
Delivery to site
stresses and movements.

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 27

TSE83_20-29_ Project focus Solar Gate.indd 27 13/12/2018 10:50

 Project focus
Solar Gate
create the 3D form of the sculpture.
Solar Gate is made from 4mm thick
stainless steel plate. The 3D digital model
was ‘unrolled’ to give the profile of the flat
strips that needed to be cut out from the
plate (Figure 17), and the profiles were
carefully nested to minimise the amount of
plate that needed to be bought in the first
place. Rather than work with 10m long strips
of thin plate, the strips were subdivided into
more manageable 3m lengths, a size that was
compatible with the laser cutter at Pearlgreen
as well as being handleable by a single
worker.
HULL CITY COUNCIL
The cutting profiles included all
perforations so that each plate only needed
to enter the laser cutter once. Bending
radii, orientation and ID tags were also
etched into the surface of the profiles to aid
the fabrication team to identify the strips.
Figure 18 shows a selection of pieces cut
out, labelled, and ready for bending. All
waste material was collected and sent to be
recycled (with the exception of two ‘holes’
that now sit at Arup’s offices for posterity).
The cut strips were then bent using a
digitally controlled break-press and laid up
in formwork assembled on the factory floor
(Figure 19). The strips were mostly in single
curvature only; however, the taper in plan up
the height of the structure meant that some
of the strips needed to be manually twisted
into place as they were laid in the formwork.
The fabricators used stainless steel
formwork that was laser-cut, reused on both
faces, and later recycled. This meant that
formwork and strip tolerances matched, and
meant that the team could tack-weld the
strips to the formwork, to hold them in place.
As we were working with steel plate of
JULIAN BAMFORD
28
TSE83_20-29_ Project focus Solar Gate.indd 28
NE Figure 26
Installation of sculpture
just 4mm thickness, tolerances needed to
be tight to enable the seams to be welded
together to form a consistent full-penetration
weld. A plate alignment tolerance of ±1mm
was agreed on, a value which the fabrication
team found to be ambitious, but achievable
using digital laser cutters and roll-bending
machinery.
Welds near the top of the structure (where
forces are low) are single-sided and at least
3mm deep where plates are within 1mm
tolerance. Further down the height of the
structure, welds become double-sided to
ensure full depth. Near the bottom of the
structure, where the steel is working near to
capacity under an ultimate limit state wind
loading, these welds had their roots ground
out to increase fatigue performance. See
Figure 20 for the different weld types and
zones.
 Figure 27
Completed
sculpture at night
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
With the two faces fabricated one after
the other, a lot of lessons were learned
on the first side that reduced the number
of man-hours spent on the second. This
included altering the assembly order of the
strips, now starting at the centre where the
largest and stiffest strips are – those that
were hardest to pull into place on the first
face.
Small individual divider plates (Figure 21)
were welded into place at the kissing points
where the two sides touch. These had
been designed to accommodate tolerance
between the two sides, due to welding
distortions. It was noted by the fabrication
team how much stiffness was added once
the sides were joined together and working
in composite – the shell lace structure was
completed.
Figures 22–24 show the sculpture at
various hold-points: for inspection of
each side; test-fitting together to check
tolerance; and inspection of the final piece
prior to painting.
Finally, the whole sculpture was welded
to its baseplate, and the piece was painted
and transported to site. Installation was
simple and took under three hours,
including mobilisation time (Figures 25 and
26).
Two of the kissing plates near the top
corners had 33mm holes to accommodate
a lifting bolt each, and so the completed
piece was simply lifted off the back of the
low-loader and lowered into position on site.
Once levelled and grouted, the sculpture
was LIDAR scanned so that the architects
at Tonkin Liu could recalculate the final
positions of the 16 stainless steel discs that
are now mounted in the ground and lit up by
the sun passing through the sculpture.
13/12/2018 10:52
 Project focus
thestructuralengineer.org Solar Gate

W Figure 28
Disc lit up
on Armistice Day

Public reaction
Since its erection in 2017, the artwork has
been well received by the public and has
become a photographer’s hotspot in the city
centre (Figure 27). It has helped to revitalise
Queen’s Gardens, attracting footfall to the
area and contributing to Hull’s legacy as 2017
UK City of Culture. With many of the ‘reveal
dates’ marking important moments in the city
itself (Figure 28), Solar Gate acts to remind
residents and visitors of Hull’s heritage and
history, while using modern technologies to
create something befitting its bright future.

Continuing the story

Solar Gate was the latest work to come out of
a collaboration between Arup and Tonkin Liu
that now spans nearly a decade. In 2010, we
landed our first built commission to test shell
lace structure out in thick paper, building a
2m tall sculpture in a shop window on Regent
Street for the London Festival of Architecture.
In 2011, we created our first steel shell lace
structure called Rain Bow Gate, a futuristic
pavilion in Burnley.
The completion of Solar Gate has led to
further shell lace structure commissions,
including a 40m tall cooling tower for a
combined heat and power (CHP) plant in
Manchester city centre named Tower of
Light. As engineers, it is, of course, incredibly
exciting to be able to work on projects
where we can use minimal material to create
structural forms deemed beautiful enough to
express and celebrate, and so we hope that
this collaboration may continue for a long
time to come. REFERENCES

Project team E 1) Grasshopper (2018) [Online] Available at: www.grasshopper3d.com/ (Accessed: November
Client: Hull City Council 2018)
Structural engineer: Arup
E 2) Robert McNeel & Associates (2018) Rhinoceros [Online] Available at: www.rhino3d.com/
Architect: Tonkin Liu download (Accessed: November 2018)
Fabricator: Pearlgreen Engineering
E 3) Karamba3D (2018) [Online] Available at: www.karamba3d.com/ (Accessed: November
2018)
HAVE YOUR SAY E 4) Rutten D. (s.d.) Galapagos [Online] Available at: www.grasshopper3d.com/group/
galapagos (Accessed: November 2018)
To comment on this article:
Eemail Verulam at tse@istructe.org E 5) Oasys (2018) GSA [Online] Available at: www.oasys-software.com/products/structural/
Etweet @IStructE #TheStructuralEngineer gsa/ (Accessed: November 2018)

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 29

TSE83_20-29_ Project focus Solar Gate.indd 29 13/12/2018 10:52

 Professional guidance
Business Practice Note | No. 21
Business Practice Notes
No. 21: Leading an
effective meeting
In this latest note, Richard Lankshear sets out a number of key principles to help maximise
the effectiveness of meetings.
Introduction
Meetings are a necessary and
useful tool to enable effective
decision making, but so too
can they waste time and fail to
demonstrate any tangible value.
This Business Practice Note aims
to set out some core principles
such that meetings can become
the effective rather than the
frustrating kind. This is intended
only as an introduction to the
subject and further reading is
proposed at the end of the note.
We experience meetings
in all aspects of our working
life, including design meetings,
technical committees and team
meetings, and these can be held
face to face, over a conference
call or weblink. Whatever the
format, or purpose, effective
meetings have a few common
themes and the suggestions
made in this note should be
widely applicable.
We can all be complicit in a
badly run meeting, even when not
leading the meeting ourselves. In
knowing what makes an effective
meeting, we can help steer the
meeting to be more efficient
by, for example, asking for the
agenda, confirming specific
action points, or even questioning
whether the meeting is necessary
in the first place.
Preparation
Ineffective meetings happen
because they are easy to arrange
and easy to attend without
preparation. By contrast, a good
30
TSE83_30-31_Business Practice Notes.indd 30
meeting is like the proverbial
iceberg in that most of the work is
unseen and completed in advance
of the meeting, with particular
consideration of the following:
Objective
 Define why the meeting is to
be held and the outcomes
expected. For repeat meetings,
it is useful to set out the terms
of reference to determine the
purpose of the meeting, who
should attend, the frequency of
the meetings and the scope of
the topics to discuss.
Agenda
 A well-defined agenda enables
a meeting to run to time and
address relevant topics. Even
if you choose not to follow it
rigorously, having a note of the
items for discussion will keep
the meeting on track.
Timescale
 The meeting should have a
start and end time so that all
attendees are clear when to
be there and how long it will
take. The meeting should start
on time.
Distribution of papers
 Where possible, prepare
briefing notes on topics for
discussion. Not only will
this enable attendees to be
prepared for the discussion,
but it saves time during
the meeting in having to
present (often at length) the
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
The Business Practice Note series has been
developed by the Institution’s Business Practice
and Regulatory Control Committee to provide
guidance on aspects of running a practice and
project management.
background to the topic.
 Briefing papers need to frame
"BY CONTRAST, A
GOOD MEETING IS
the discussion but should be
LIKE THE PROVERBIAL
succinct – there is no point
sending out a 40-page report
that won’t be read. ICEBERG IN THAT
MOST OF THE WORK
Leading the meeting IS UNSEEN"
Start the meeting positively and
set the context. Despite your
excellent briefing pack, terms action should be asked whether
of reference and agenda, it will they have completed the action
be worth reminding everyone (and if not, why not). This should
why the meeting is to be held, be recorded. The action should
the agenda to be followed and remain open until it has been
anticipated outcomes. completed, at which time it can be
Set the procedural rules ‘closed off’.
(mobile phones, breaks) and The challenge then is to
ensure that someone is taking keep to topic and keep to time.
notes. In most cases, only the A great benefit of a briefing
actions or key decisions need to pack is that each agenda item
be recorded, but the note taker can be framed and members
should be briefed on the format of informed in advance. Use positive
the minutes in advance. language and avoid relying on
It may be necessary to formally acronyms and technical terms
agree the minutes of the previous or ensure that they are clarified
meeting, or at least receive so that everyone can follow the
comments on them. If the minutes discussion. If you feel that the
of the previous meeting had discussion is running off topic,
action points, each party with an try to summarise the key points
KEY POINTS
 Preparation is key. Determine a clear objective and issue a
quality briefing pack.
 Determine timescales, start and end times. Start on time.
 Include everyone in the discussion and reach a conclusion on
each point.
 Question whether the meeting is really necessary – will the
meeting achieve the objective?
 You can improve the quality of the meeting even if you are not
the leader.
13/12/2018 10:54
 Professional guidance
thestructuralengineer.org No. 21 | Business Practice Note

raised and suggest unrelated
items be included in future
meetings if appropriate.
Listen carefully and be seen
to be engaged. Bring in others’
opinions before an agenda item
is closed. It is too easy for one
or two loud voices to dominate
a discussion where others may
sit quietly waiting to be invited to
speak.
Draw each point to a close,
preferably with a clear decision
or specific action point for an
individual.
Post-meeting actions
Like the preparation before,
the actions required after the
meeting are of high value yet are
often overlooked. Once more,
you should give yourself time to
complete these tasks.
Paramount of these is the
distribution of the minutes, which
should be issued as soon as
possible. Confirmation bias leads
people to recall information that
confirms their pre-existing beliefs
and it is often surprising how
differently people will recall the
same discussion. A clear set of
minutes (and actions) ensures a
record of the topics discussed for
future reference. Note too that
minutes should be to the point
and brief, and it may be helpful to
highlight actions, e.g. in bold text
or in an ‘action column’.
If the meeting is short, it can
be reasonable to forego minutes
and just produce a list of action
points, given the agreement of
attendees.
The actions agreed at the
meeting will often need to be
followed up so that they are
completed. Leading the meeting
will often entail a degree of
chasing of actions – a thankless
task, but necessary to ensure the
meeting had purpose.
And, finally, it is then time
to start preparing for the next
FURTHER READING
There is a vast array of additional reading available and many
commentators have their own tips and tricks. A good starting point
is the Harvard Business Review, which has suggestions for team
meetings, focusing on participant behaviours and setting an effective
agenda:
E Schwarz R. (2016) ‘8 Ground Rules for Great Meetings’, Harvard
Business Review [Online] Available at: https://hbr.org/2016/06/8-
ground-rules-for-great-meetings (Accessed: November 2018)
E Schwarz R. (2015) ‘How to Design an Agenda for an Effective
Meeting’, Harvard Business Review [Online] Available at: https://hbr.
org/2015/03/how-to-design-an-agenda-for-an-effective-meeting
(Accessed: November 2018)
meeting, beginning always with the legislation of the region
the question – is the meeting in which they are working
really necessary? and should be aware of any
jurisdictions specific to that
This note has been prepared region.
by Richard Lankshear MEng, Business Practice Notes
CEng, MIStructE on behalf of the are provided as guidance to
Institution of Structural Engineers’ members, but do not form part
Business Practice and Regulatory of the Regulations and/or Laws
Control Committee. of the Institution. All members
Members are reminded that are obliged to abide by the
they should always comply with Institution’s Code of Conduct.

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 Professional guidance
Leadership in engineering
Do you have the
skills to be a leader?
The Institution’s Professional
Development Manager,
Peter Washer, considers
what it means to be a leader
and how leadership skills can
be learned.
What makes someone a ‘leader’? Is leadership
a matter of nature or nurture? How does
leadership differ from management? Can you
learn and teach leadership?
Despite centuries of philosophical thought
about the nature of leadership, and more
recently academic research, the concept
remains difficult to pin down. Most popular
books – and there are over 100 000 books
on leadership available on Amazon – relate
leadership to the person or persons regarded
as leaders. Typically, this literature focuses
on historical leaders (e.g. Winston Churchill)
or contemporary business leaders (former
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is a recurring motif
in this literature). These books then go on
to synthesise qualities that these individuals
shared to produce a definition of leadership.
Often, these simplistic definitions of
leadership come down to a vague feeling
that some people are born with some magic
or charisma about them that others lack. Yet
being in the right place at the right time is
often also important. Simple ‘heroic’ accounts
and definitions of leadership are unsatisfactory
because they lack any social or historical
context.
If we take the case of Churchill, he had
a chequered history and reputation before
World War II. For example, he sent in the army
to quell the Tonypandy riots in Wales in 1910,
leading to much criticism and ill-feeling. He
was also the primary architect of the military
disaster at Gallipoli in 1915, where 130 000
men died. Yet in the context of World War II,
he became a national leader and hero, who
32
TSE83_32-33_leadership.indd 32
inspired a nation to fight and, ultimately, win
the war against Nazism. He was undoubtedly
the right man in the right place and time.
However, if he had died in 1939, he would not
have been remembered as a great leader.
Recently, in academic literature and
more generally, this heroic person idea of
leadership has been supplanted by a more
nuanced definition, which takes more account
of the context in which people demonstrate
leadership. For example, if a new leader is
brought into an organisation, and the profits
increase by 500%, then the leader might be
credited with that success and be rewarded
accordingly.
Some people have attributed 95% of
Apple’s success to Jobs. But to what extent
can we attribute the collective products of a
whole organisation to the individual actions
of one person? Even if we can causally
link the increased profits to the actions of
an individual leader, what contribution do
the other employees/followers have to this
success?
"LEADERSHIP IS NOT A LIST
OF QUALITIES, IT IS A SET OF
PRACTICES"
How much of Apple’s
success can we really
attribute to former CEO
Steve Jobs?
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
Leading by doing
If we think about it, leadership is less about
individual heroes, innate charisma or magical
qualities, and more about the more mundane
everyday ways that a leader builds and
strengthens social relationships and builds
social capital. In this sense, leadership is
not a list of qualities, it is a set of practices
– not what you have but what you do that is
important. The power of a leader rests not
necessarily in their personalities or position
in a hierarchy, but in their achievement of
creating a network of followers.
If we take the ‘magic’ out of our definition of
leadership, it poses the question: is leadership
different to management, and if so, how? Rittel
and Webber1 have written about ‘tame’ and
‘wicked’ problems. Tame problems may be
complicated but are likely to have occurred
before and therefore are resolvable because
there is a limited degree of uncertainty. The
manager’s role is to provide an appropriate
process to solve the problem. Most everyday
problems are tame and just require people
to carry out their duties. A manager then, is
someone who can make decisions to find
the appropriate answer or process to solve a
(tame) problem.
By contrast, a wicked problem is complex,
often intractable, and no one is likely to have
the prior knowledge or resources to solve it.
To solve a wicked problem, the leader has
to ask the appropriate kind of questions to
engage their followers in a collective attempt
to come to terms with and address a (wicked)
problem. Wicked problems – war, financial
catastrophes, even Brexit – require leaders
that can frame the solutions and inspire
followers to address them.
This brings us back to the idea that
leadership is somehow related to social skills
such as emotional intelligence, empathy, active
listening, inspirational public speaking and so
on. Looked at in this way, leadership becomes
less a magical quality, and more something
that it is possible both to teach and to learn.
Learning to lead
This poses the question of how one might
learn to be a leader. A leader might have
13/12/2018 11:00
 Professional guidance
thestructuralengineer.org Leadership in engineering

a vision or strategy for where they want
their organisation and their followers to
go. But to achieve that vision, they need
to be able to learn from their followers,
even if the feedback maybe difficult to
hear. The question is less, ‘How do I lead
this organisation?’ but more, ‘What type of
organisation do we want to build?’ and ‘Who
can I identify to help me build it?’
For engineers, to step up from what you
are trained to do – engineering – to assume a
position of leadership is sometimes difficult.
People choose a career in engineering
because the daily work of an engineer is
what they enjoy. It takes a different set
of skills to be self-aware and to identify
your own leadership style; to delegate and
influence other people; to recruit, motivate
and retain valuable team members; and to
inspire them to follow your vision. There is
no magic to this skillset, and though it might
come more easily to some people than
to others, these skills are not something
that anyone is born with. The skillset of a
successful leader can be taught.
Leadership Development
Programme
This thinking forms the basis of the
Institution’s new Leadership Development
Programme. While larger firms frequently
can offer leadership development training
to their engineers, most small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) cannot. This new
programme, developed in collaboration
with the University of Bath’s School of
Management, aims to address that gap. It
is aimed at early- to mid-career engineers
working in SMEs.
There are four core teaching days
delivered by academics from the University
of Bath’s School of Management. In
addition, participants are able to choose a
further three courses from the Institution’s
existing range of professional guidance
courses, so that they can tailor the
programme to their own professional
development needs, and to the needs of
the SMEs they work in. The programme
starts in March 2019 and will run for a year;
places are limited to 20.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about the
programme, visit www.istructe.org/
leadership or contact Peter Washer,
Professional Development Manager:
ETel.: 020 7201 9118
EEmail: peter.washer@istructe.org
REFERENCE
E1) Rittel H.W.J. and Webber M.M. (1973)
‘Dilemmas in a general theory of planning’,
Policy Sciences, 4, pp. 155–169
FURTHER READING
This article is indebted to the following book,
which makes an excellent introduction to the
subject of leadership:
EGrint K. (2010) Leadership: A Very Short
Introduction, New York: Oxford University
Press

If you are aged 28 years or under, you may enter the Kenneth Severn Award 2019. To enter,
answer the following question, set by 2019 Institution President, Joe Kindregan:

Question:
What additional skills do structural engineers need to
develop to answer future humanitarian challenges?

Answers should be in the form of a written paper (max. The winner will receive:
1500 words) and may include relevant imagery that The prestigious Kenneth Severn Diploma
supplements the text. A cash prize of £500

The judges will be looking for originality, value to The winning paper will also be considered
the structural engineering profession and clarity of for publication in The Structural Engineer.
presentation.

Entrants must be 28 years of age or under on 1 January

2019. Engineers who are not members of the Institution
are also welcome to enter.

For full details and to submit your entry, visit:

www.istructe.org/kenneth-severn-award

The closing date for entries is 31 January 2019 2019

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 33

TSE83_32-33_leadership.indd 33 13/12/2018 11:00

 Technical
Technical Guidance Note | Level 2, No. 19 thestructuralengineer.org

Technical Guidance Notes

Level 2, No. 19: Design and detailing of
windposts to masonry walls
Chris O’Regan Technical Guidance Notes are published by The Institution of
BEng(Hons), CEng, FIStructE, FICE Structural Engineers to provide guidance to engineers in the early
stages of their careers. This note has been prepared by AECOM on
Principal Engineer, Building Engineering, AECOM, London, UK
behalf of the Institution.

Introduction
Historically, masonry walls were designed as principal loadbearing elements ICON LEGEND
of a structure. They were very thick and were able to withstand lateral
loads due to their stocky geometry. Today, however, the status of brick W Design principles
walls within large buildings has been reduced to that of simple single-skin
rainscreens that are little more than large thin panels of masonry.
W Applied practice
These panels are quite slender to the point where they usually require
additional horizontal support to make them stable. The same can also apply
to cavity walls, where both skins are incapable of resisting lateral loads. W Worked example
The element that provides this support to masonry panels is a vertical prop
known as a ‘windpost’. Its principal role is to provide lateral support against W Further reading
destabilising horizontal forces that typically originate from wind pressure –
hence, the name.
W Resources
Windposts are typically steel elements – either open sections, such as
channels or angles, or closed sections, such as rolled hollow rectangular
sections. This Technical Guidance Note provides guidance on the design and
detailing of windposts relating to their incorporation into building structures.

Detailing The technical specifications of a particular

Design principles
Definition
A ‘windpost’ is a vertical element that provides
lateral support to cladding elements typically
made from masonry. A windpost does not
provide any vertical support and is restrained
at its head. This requires a horizontal structure
at the top of the windpost that is strong
enough to resist the forces being applied to it.
Figure 1 shows a series of sections through
a masonry wall that represent four different
configurations of windposts. Although they
are quite different, they all serve the same
function.
Windposts are typically located in semi-
exposed or exposed locations where they
are exposed to moisture on a regular basis
as they are in contact with external facing
masonry. They therefore require a high grade
of corrosion protection. Historically, galvanising
has been used to provide corrosion protection
to a mild steel windpost. However, where
stainless steel wall ties are used to fix a
windpost to a wall, the post itself must also be
made of stainless steel, to avoid bimetallic (or
galvanic) corrosion.
Wall ties need to be designed with sufficient
stiffness to transfer the lateral load from the
wall into the post. There is a large number of
proprietary products that serve this purpose.
product should be consulted before it is used
in a design solution.
There are also proprietary products that
include both the windpost itself and the means
by which it is connected to the masonry via
wall ties.
Windposts must also meet other criteria,
including acoustic performance, thermal
expansion of the wall they are supporting, and
their behaviour when exposed to fire. When a
windpost is supporting a wall that forms part
of a fire compartmentation strategy, it must
comply with the fire rating of the area to ensure
that the wall remains standing in the event of
a fire.
As windposts are designed to take only

34 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

TSE83_34-36_TGN.indd 34 13/12/2018 11:01


thestructuralengineer.org
horizontal actions, it is important that the head
of the windpost is fixed in such a way as to
prevent axial forces being transmitted into it.
To achieve this, the fixing detail between the
windpost and the primary structural element
is allowed to articulate vertically relative to the
connection, typically through the slotted bolt
holes. Figure 2 shows a selection of typical
head details for windposts that allow this
vertical movement to occur.
Windposts are typically fixed to a wall via
a series of wall ties that are placed at every
other bed course within the masonry. The ties
are post-fixed to the windpost as the wall is
constructed to allow for vertical tolerances. The
fixing method must take into consideration the
anti-corrosion methods applied to the windpost.
Another method is to install the windpost
within the wall itself (Figure 3). In this method,
the windpost is installed, masonry units are
threaded over the top of it, and the post is
then grouted into place within the wall. This
method provides excellent corrosion protection
and much stronger connectivity between the
windpost and the wall.
However, the complexity of the detailing and
construction is much greater. In addition, as the
post is embedded, it is more difficult to replace
should a problem occur during its lifespan.
Embedded windposts also cause problems
when surface-fix items, such as shelving, are
installed on the wall, as they form part of the
fabric of the masonry.
Design guidance
A windpost is effectively a simply supported
beam that has a uniformly distributed action
TSE83_34-36_TGN.indd 35
applied to it. Where a wall is also acting as a
barrier, a line load is applied to it. The line load
is modelled as a point load. This is similar to
balustrade design, as covered in Technical
Guidance Note Level 1, No. 7: Barrier and
vehicle loading.
Sometimes the windpost may need to be
modelled as a propped cantilever, with the
base being a moment connection into the
primary structure. This is usually done to
reduce the size of the windpost, but results
in the base connection becoming more
onerous than a simple (i.e. nominally pinned)
connection (Figure 4).
The frequency and location of windposts
depend on the geometry of the wall they
are supporting, as well as the type and
magnitude of actions being applied to the
wall. Windposts are typically installed as a
last resort, as they are difficult to put into
place and are expensive. However, where
returns, piers and vertical elements of the
primary structure cannot be used as a point
of restraint due to space restrictions, and
the wall is required to span a long distance
or contain large openings, a windpost is the
only viable solution. For more information on
the design of masonry walls that resist lateral
actions, see Technical Guidance Note Level
2, No. 6: Designing a laterally loaded masonry
wall.
Much like beams that support brick walls,
windposts are subject to quite stringent
movement criteria. Masonry is sensitive to
any form of excessive displacement and is
likely to crack if movement due to variable
actions exceeds span/360 or ±5mm,
 Figure 2
Typical head
restraint details
to windposts
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
Technical
Level 2, No. 19 | Technical Guidance Note
 Figure 3
Detail of windpost
within masonry wall
 Figure 1
Different
forms of
windpost
 Figure 4
Idealised
models of
windposts
whichever is the lesser outside of datum. With
such tight controls in place, it is typical for
stiffness to govern the design of windposts.
Typically, windposts are considered
to be fully laterally restrained due to the
connectivity between the post and the wall it
is supporting via the wall ties. This simplifies
the design of windposts considerably, as
buckling typically does not need to be
considered. The only exception to this is
when an angle is used as an externally
mounted windpost. In this case, the outer
leg would be prone to buckling as it is
unrestrained.
Finally, it should be noted that although
windposts do not form part of the primary
structure, it is not uncommon for them to
be designed and specified by the structural
engineer.
Applied practice
BS EN 1996-1-1:2005+A1:2012 Eurocode 6:
Design of masonry structures. General rules
for reinforced and unreinforced masonry
structures
NA to BS EN 1996-1-1:2005+A1:2012 UK
National Annex to Eurocode 6: Design
of masonry structures. General rules for
35
13/12/2018 11:01
 Technical
Technical Guidance Note | Level 2, No. 19 thestructuralengineer.org

reinforced and unreinforced masonry

structures
BS EN 1996-2:2006 Eurocode 6: Design of
masonry structures. Design considerations,
selection of materials and execution of
masonry
NA to BS EN 1996-2:2006 UK National
Annex to Eurocode 6: Design of masonry
structures. Design considerations, selection
of materials and execution of masonry
PD 6697:2010 Recommendations for the
design of masonry structures to BS EN 1996-
1-1 and BS EN 1996-2
Worked example
A blockwork wall that is 3.2m in height is to be supported by RHS windposts placed at
2.5m centres. The wall will serve as a barrier at a train station and therefore has a line
action of 1.5kN/m acting 1.1m from the finish floor level. A wind action of 0.4kPa is also
applied to the wall. Design a windpost to ensure it does not deflect any more than 5mm
from datum.
Note that as a wind action is occurring at the same time as a variable action, the
appropriate ψi coefficients to the partial factors for actions need to be applied. For
further guidance, see Technical Guidance Note Level 1, No. 4: Derivation of wind load.

BS EN 1993-1-1:2005+A1:2014 Eurocode 3:
Design of steel structures. General rules and
rules for buildings

NA+A1:2014 to BS EN 1993-1-1:2005+A1:14
UK National Annex to Eurocode 3: Design of
steel structures. General rules and rules for
buildings

Glossary and further reading

Glossary
Rainscreen – part of a building’s envelope
that provides a barrier to external
environmental conditions.

Windpost – vertical structural element

designed to provide lateral support to
masonry walls.

Further reading
The Institution of Structural Engineers (2018)
Manual for the design of plain masonry in
building structures to Eurocode 6 (2nd ed.),
London: IStructE Ltd

Morton J. (2011) Designers’ Guide to Eurocode

6: Design of Masonry Structures: EN 1996-1-1,
London: Thomas Telford Ltd

Resources

Brick Development Association:

www.brick.org.uk

Concrete Block Association:

www.cba-blocks.org.uk
Steel Construction Info:
www.steelconstruction.info/Facades_and_
interfaces#Support_to_brickwork
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36 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

TSE83_34-36_TGN.indd 36 13/12/2018 11:01

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p37_TSE.Jan19.indd 37 12/12/2018 11:43

 Opinion
TallWood House, Vancouver
Comment
& reply
Dr Angus Law, Dr Rory Hadden and Professor Luke Bisby seek clarification of the
fire safety strategy employed at this landmark high-rise timber building in Canada.
Comment
Angus Law
PhD, MEng, CEng, MIFireE
BRE Lecturer in Fire Safety Engineering, University
of Edinburgh, UK
Rory Hadden
PhD
Rushbrook Senior Lecturer in Fire Investigation,
University of Edinburgh, UK
Luke Bisby
PhD, PEng, CEng, FIStructE, FIFireE
Professor of Fire and Structures, University of
Edinburgh, UK
We write concerning the article ‘The TallWood
House at Brock Commons, Vancouver’ in
the October 2018 issue of The Structural
Engineer (pp. 18–25). Specifically, we would
like to highlight our concerns regarding the
description of the fire safety engineering
approach given in this paper. It is our
opinion that the description is confused and
potentially misleading.
Our concern centres around the final
sentence in the section that articulates a key
aspect of the building’s fire safety strategy:
‘With this sprinklered encapsulation strategy, a
two-hour fire rating was achieved.’
This immediately poses the very important
question: what is a ‘sprinklered encapsulation
strategy’?
On the basis of the paper, it appears that a
‘sprinklered encapsulation strategy’ comprises
an approach whereby the timber elements of
the building are encapsulated by ‘three layers
of type X drywall cladding’, and the building
is also provided with a sprinkler system that
has an independent water supply. The paper
38
TSE83_38-39_Comment&Reply.indd 38
states that this strategy achieves the two-
hour fire rating specified in the site-specific
regulation.
Unfortunately, the authors of this paper are
mixing ideas that should not be mixed.
Encapsulation of timber with plasterboard
is a technique that has been demonstrated
to be an effective method for protecting
cross-laminated timber (CLT) from the effects
of fire under specific circumstances (e.g.
Test 1-1, Fire Safety Challenges of Tall Wood
Buildings – Phase 21). We therefore agree that
this approach, in principle, may be sufficient to
adequately protect the timber.
However, if plasterboard is to be used as a
protection strategy, then it is vital that it should
remain in place throughout the duration of the
fire (i.e. until all the fuel load in a compartment
has been consumed). If the plasterboard does
not remain securely fixed to the surface of the
CLT, then the timber may become involved
in the fire, which can result in continued
burning. This would invalidate the fundamental
assumptions of a classical fire resistance
design approach and has been demonstrated
previously in The Structural Engineer2.
The paper suggests that the fire resistance
is, in part, reliant on the sprinkler system.
This cannot be the case – sprinklers are a
technology intended to suppress or extinguish
the fire before it grows to a size where it may
pose a threat to the structure. Sprinklers
cannot, therefore, increase the fire resistance
of an element of structure; they can only
reduce the likelihood that the element will be
threatened by a fire. Provision of sprinklers is
therefore a risk management technique – by
way of reducing the likelihood of a serious fire.
Sprinklers cannot, therefore, help a structure
to achieve a two-hour fire rating – they simply
reduce the likelihood that a two-hour fire rating
will be needed during the life of the building.
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
The TallWood
House at Brock
Commons,
Vancouver
Additionally, the concept of a ‘two-hour fire
rating’ expressed as the objective for structural
fire design remains a useful approach only
so long as the structural elements are not
themselves involved in fuelling the fire. If
elements of CLT start to burn, the first
question to answer is: ‘do they stop burning
once the other fuel is consumed?’ Only if the
answer to this question is ‘yes’ can charring
rates and other such calculation techniques be
used to estimate whether structural stability is
maintained. Otherwise, charring may continue
until no structure remains.
Our suggestion to the authors and other
practitioners is that the fire safety objectives
for CLT buildings should be expressed as
follows:
The building should maintain stability during
and after a fully involved fire event. This should
explicitly consider consumption of the fuel load,
along with a requirement for auto-extinction
of any combustible structural elements, and
assume no reliance on intervention by fire and
rescue services.
Where an encapsulation strategy is used,
we suggest that the fire safety objective
should be expressed as follows:
The building should maintain stability
during and after a fully involved fire event.
Encapsulation should prevent any burning
of the underlying structural elements for the
duration of the fire and without reliance on
intervention by fire and rescue services.
Unfortunately, from the brief description
provided of the fire safety strategy, it is
impossible for readers to ascertain how the
design solution at Brock Commons meets the
above fire safety objectives.
We encourage designers of mass timber
buildings to carefully consider the hazards,
and ensure that their basis for design is
supported by logical and robust engineering
13/12/2018 11:02
 Opinion
thestructuralengineer.org TallWood House, Vancouver

methodologies. Where these methodologies

do not yet exist, we encourage practitioners
 Figure 1
Encapsulation
strategy for CLT
to engage with these issues and invest in the
engineering knowledge necessary to support
and sustain the mass timber industry.

Reply
Paul Fast
PEng, StructEng, PE, FIStructE, BK Berlin/
Hessen
Partner, Fast + Epp, Vancouver, Canada

Robert Jackson
PEng, PE
Associate, Fast + Epp, Vancouver, Canada

The letter from Dr Law, Dr Hadden, and

Prof. Bisby correctly outlines the fire
resistance strategy, which was perhaps
not properly communicated in the paper,
for which we apologise. To be clear, the
two-hour fire resistance rating at the
UBC TallWood House at Brock Commons
is achieved by way of a type X drywall
encapsulation strategy; it does not rely
on the sprinkler system to increase
or otherwise define the two-hour fire
resistance rating.
The party walls and ceilings are
constructed in such a way that the type
X drywall is to remain affixed to the CLT
panels and glulam columns for the duration
of the fire and provide the fire resistance by
way of encapsulation.  Figure 2
Full-scale fire test of CLT
With respect to how the encapsulation
strategy was developed, it relied on
previous ULC L532 testing which After the design had been discussed and, to suppress or extinguish a fire before it
demonstrated that two layers of drywall ultimately, accepted by the expert panel grows to a size where it may pose a threat
can achieve a 1.5-hour rating on sawn as an appropriate solution, a supplemental to the structure. The sprinklers simply
timber floors. It was deemed that CLT full-scale fire test was completed, with reduce the risk of a fire enlarging and that
was more conservative, and that 30 to firestopping of services incorporated. This risk is even further reduced by way of the
40 minutes was an established value per achieved the desired results, with the CLT back-up water supply.
layer of 16mm type X drywall. The design starting to char after two hours (Figure 2).
also relied on other testing completed by As identified in the paper, the sprinkler REFERENCES
the National Resource Council of Canada system has an on-site back-up water
which showed that two layers of 12mm type supply. This was part of the site-specific E1) Su J., Lafrance P-S., Hoehler M. and
X drywall stayed in place for close to three regulation and is intended to reduce the risk Bundy M. (2018) Fire Safety Challenges of
hours. of the sprinkler system not being able to be Tall Wood Buildings – Phase 2: Task 2 & 3 –
All this was presented to, and discussed charged by the municipal water supply after Cross Laminated Timber Compartment Fire
by, a panel of expert fire and code a seismic event. If the municipal supply were Tests [Online] Available at: https://ws680.
nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_
consultants, with the project-specific to be cut off because of an earthquake (or
id=925297 (Accessed: November 2018)
assembly shown in Figure 1. In general, other reasons), the back-up water supply
1.5 hours of fire resistance is achieved would be utilised if a fire event took place E2) Deeny S., Lane B., Hadden R. and
from the bottom two layers of 16mm type before repairs could occur. Lawrence A. (2018) ‘Fire safety design in
X drywall per ULC Design L532, and an As outlined in the letter, the sprinkler modern timber buildings’, The Structural
additional 0.5 hours is achieved from the system is not intended to be a part of the Engineer, 96 (1), pp. 48–53
layer affixed directly to the CLT panel. fire resistance system, but rather is in place

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 39

TSE83_38-39_Comment&Reply.indd 39 13/12/2018 11:02

 Opinion
Education for the future
Viewpoint
Four Past Presidents of the Institution – Professor John Nolan, Professor Nick Russell,
Professor Ian Firth and Professor Tim Ibell – argue that attracting, enthusing, nurturing
and launching the next generation of structural engineers should look different to that which
we have seen in the past.
It seems too obvious for words that when
youngsters are weighing up options for
a future career, they should choose one
which is as far away as possible from what
a computer will be able to do. To paraphrase
Chris Wise, humans should do what humans
are best at doing. Computers can do the
rest. And they will.
This has profound implications for our
profession of structural engineering. At the
February 2018 meeting of the Institution
Council, discussions were held on what
the profession will look like in 10–15 years’
time, and what implications this will have
on education. Key issues to emerge from
that event were the increasing importance
of collaboration, data, new materials and
artificial intelligence (AI).
A quote from the report stated that ‘The
education system will need to reflect this
broadening of expertise, move beyond
teaching the skills that will, in many cases, be
replaced by automation, and integrate both
digital and artistic skills into the curriculum
to enhance collaboration and creativity.’ The
number one priority action to emerge from
the workshops was the ‘Need to rethink the
education of engineers to prepare them for a
changing future role’1.
We cannot, and we must not, ignore
this seminal outcome from the worldwide
leadership of the Institution.
Space for creativity
More recently, the Institution held its
annual Academics’ Conference, where the
importance of the holistic design ability of
graduates was discussed as the defining
attribute of a structural engineer who is fit
for the changing demands of the profession
because they are used to doing what
humans do best, rather than repeating what a
computer does best.
We discussed how curricula might be
40
TSE83_40-41_ Viewpoint v2.indd 40
adapted to provide a ‘spine’ of design
throughout, which was fed and nourished
by the addition of taught components. To
enable this change in curricula to be applied,
we held a second set of discussions about
how we might go through brave decision-
making within universities to drop those
taught aspects which were simply no longer
as important or relevant as other required
topics have become.
It is fair to say that these were seen
as extremely difficult challenges by the
delegates. All sorts of obstacles as to
why design could not be a dominant spine
throughout our degree programmes were
tabled, as were all sorts of reasons why
dropping perceived ‘fundamental stuff’
from our degree programmes is hard, if not
impossible.
Well, it is our collective belief that this is
not a nice-to-have option for the education
of our future structural engineers. We
must act to embed holistic design now,
throughout our degree programmes, as a
backbone of an educational legacy which
ensures that our graduates know that
asking the right design questions is the very
definition of being a chartered structural
engineer. Answering these questions is an
altogether easier proposition.
Students can only truly understand the
importance of questioning, rather than
answering, through being immersed in an
atmosphere which embraces the changes
our profession is facing (collaboration, data,
exploitation of materials and AI). To allow
this rather profound change in our outlook in
education, we simply must pare down other
"ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IN OUR PROFESSION
IS A LACK OF GENDER BALANCE"
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
There is more
to a flower
than a STEM
aspects of our curricula.
Engineering is essentially a creative
profession, and we must work to restore
the essential creative ingredients which
are missing or inadequately covered in our
engineering degree programmes. We feel
that we are beyond the stage of talking
about this. We need to see action from all
universities. Some are faring well in this
venture, but many are yet to set off.
Beyond STEM
A colleague of Chris Wise, Ed McCann,
has spoken recently about the fact that we
no longer need engineers with soft skills.
We need emotionally intelligent people
with engineering skills. This is a profound
observation, in our opinion, and strikes at the
heart of the choice of incoming talent into
universities.
We believe that if a student is interested
in everything at school, then that person
will be a fabulous structural engineer. They
need to have a grasp of STEM, of course,
but they need so much more than mere
STEM if the challenges to our society which
our profession will face are to be tackled
by emotionally intelligent people who have
engineering skills.
Our universities should be attracting
the brightest and the best to be structural
engineers. To us, this means attracting
students who have a breadth of outlook,
imagination, creativity, and immense ambition
to change the world for the better. They
need to be interested in everything, with
their priceless prime asset being creativity.
Creativity. Not just STEM.
13/12/2018 11:04
 Opinion
thestructuralengineer.org Education for the future

Gender balance by recruitment processes into universities,

This shift in recruitment protocol would be
transformative to our industry, and it would
allow necessary changes in our profession
to be embraced and cherished, rather than
seen as any sort of threat. Our starting point
would be to encourage, at least, recruitment
into universities of students who have a
mix of subjects which demonstrate interest
beyond STEM.
One of the biggest problems in our
profession is a lack of gender balance.
We talk about skills gaps, often without
talking about the fact that recruitment into
our profession should embrace the entire
population to start with. We see no reason
why universities should not be aiming at a
50:50 gender balance across their student
cohorts in civil/structural engineering degree
programmes.
Our profession oozes creativity and it
embraces people who have an interest
in absolutely everything. These are key
traits now and in the future. And they are
gender neutral. We need to ensure that
these key traits are the ones being sought
John Nolan
rather than the narrower STEM-only
BSc, MSc, DEng, CEng, FIStructE, FICE
approach.
We need to sell our profession as a means 2012 President of The Institution of Structural
to help people. We need to talk about why Engineers
engineers exist, rather than merely how or
what they do. These are simple, effective Nick Russell
and potentially transformative messages for BSc, CEng, FIStructE, FICE, FASCE, MCMI
the recruitment into our profession of the
2014 President of The Institution of Structural
necessary talent from the entire population
Engineers
to ensure that the challenges we face
are met by appropriate, brilliant structural
engineers. Ian Firth
BSc, MSc, DIC, CEng, FREng, FIStructE, FICE
REFERENCE 2017 President of The Institution of Structural
Engineers
E 1) Hargrave J. and zu Dohna F. (2018) ‘The
future of our profession’, The Structural
Engineer, 96 (11), pp. 8–9
Tim Ibell
BSc(Eng), PhD, CEng, FREng, FIStructE, FICE,
FHEA
HAVE YOUR SAY
2015 President of The Institution of Structural
To comment on this article: Engineers
Eemail Verulam at tse@istructe.org
Etweet @IStructE #TheStructuralEngineer

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TSE83_40-41_ Viewpoint v2.indd 41 13/12/2018 15:08

 Opinion
Letters
Verulam
Topics of importance
openly discussed
Eurocodes again
Alasdair Beal has no love for the
Eurocodes: once again, he takes
supporters to task.
David Lazenby’s defence of the Eurocodes
(Verulam, November/December 2018)
downplays some of their problems. In
particular, it is surely time to concede that the
current Eurocode load combination rules are
a bit of a disaster. Not only do they generate
a ridiculous amount of calculation complexity,
but they also sometimes produce answers
which make no sense.
Several years ago, I outlined an example
where a beam supports a mixture of loads –
partly roof load, partly car park, partly office
and partly retail. Still, nobody has been able
to provide a definitive answer for whether,
under the Eurocodes, the imposed load on
this beam should have an overall average
load factor of 1.5 or 1.22.
This is not ‘the minutiae of the numerate
calculation processes’ – it could be the
difference between a structure which is safe
and serviceable and one which is not. I am
astonished that 21 years after David was
featured in New Civil Engineer as ‘Eurocode
supremo’, this anomaly still has not been
sorted out.
Verulam thinks part of the answer to
Alasdair’s points is that whatever we
do, it will not be that hard to discover
anomalies. Coping with these requires that
professional engineers do what is right and
do not try and find some devious way to
circumnavigate rules to the detriment of
safety. What does appear to be true is that
amending the Eurocodes when anomalies
come to light is quite a cumbersome
process.
42
TSE83_42-43_Verulam.indd 42
Unsafe tower
blocks: demolish or
dismantle?
Recent news reports have
stimulated Avinash Gandekar to
give us his thoughts on the safety of
tower blocks.
A recent report in The Guardian stated that
two housing blocks on the Broadwater Farm
estate (Tottenham, London) are considered
at risk of catastrophic collapse and are
likely to be demolished. The estate includes
12 separate blocks and all were built using
the large-panel system (LPS) construction
method. That same method was used in the
construction of Ronan Point, which collapsed
50 years ago.
A CROSS report (Report ID:186) on
the Collapse of Large Panel System (LPS)
buildings during demolition states that
the buildings collapsed progressively and
unexpectedly. In one case, there was an
uncontrolled collapse. CROSS also comments
that such unanticipated collapses would
introduce unnecessary risks to operatives,
to people who may be nearby, and to
surrounding buildings.
Apart from these obvious dangers,
construction and demolition activities can
result in the following air quality impacts:
 visible dust plumes
 dust deposition
 elevated PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations
 increased concentrations of nitrogen
dioxide.
Supplementary planning guidance seeks to
reduce these impacts from the construction
and demolition activities within London.
The report of the inquiry into the Collapse
of flats at Ronan Point, Canning Town states
that the immediate cause of the disaster
was a town gas explosion. However, the
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
Send letters to…
All contributions to Verulam should
be submitted via email to:
tse@istructe.org
Contributions may be edited on the
grounds of style and/or length by the
Institution's publishing department.
reason behind the form of dramatic in-service
failure observed was faulty design of joints
between the floor and wall panels, insufficient
bearing for slab panels at cross walls and a
total absence of reinforcement in the joints.
Although these faults are all undesirable
structurally, where they exist, they would allow
the removal of individual floor and wall panels
by dismantling rather than by an induced
collapse form of demolition.
Thus, dismantling of such defective
structures would provide an eco-friendly and
structurally safer alternative to demolition.
Avinash may have a point in that we have to
deal with structures as they are, rather than
as we would like them to be. In this case
though, there seems to be obvious danger
to any dismantling crew of uncontrolled
collapse of a defective tower block linked to
presumed defectiveness in its joints.
A subsidence
puzzle
Brian Clancy’s letter on subsidence
(October 2018) has spurred this
contribution from Ian Anderson.
Brian Clancy’s letter on ‘Subsidence following
hot weather’ reminded me of a particular
instance that proved quite an interesting
exercise in detection. When I was working for
a local authority in the south of England, I was
asked to investigate some cracking in one of
the middle houses in a terrace of four on a
large council estate built in the early- to mid-
1970s prior to the hot summer of 1976.
The terrace comprised four two-bedroom,
two-storey houses with brick and block
external walls plus timber cladding along
the first floor under the windows. The roof
comprised trussed rafters spanning from the
front to the back walls. The block of four was
on a slightly sloping site with steps in the roof
13/12/2018 11:06

thestructuralengineer.org
line to accommodate the slope.
Founded on strip footings within the Weald
Clay series, the house in question had a
history of cracking problems. The front wall of
the mid-terrace house had been underpinned
in 1978, with further cracking noticed in
1982. My inspection in 1988 revealed vertical
cracking in the front, rear and middle walls
from eaves to ground level, wider at the top
(10mm) than bottom (2mm) generally. A look
along brick courses at ground-floor level
showed a slight hog in the middle of the block.
My initial guess was thermal movement
along the front and rear walls with no central
joint. But, fortuitously, someone was clearing
out some drawers and came across some old
aerial photographs. ‘Did I want them before
they were thrown out?’ they asked. One
set proved to be of the large council estate
prior to any construction. Before computer
mapping, etc., some hand drawing to scale
to overlay the housing plan with the photos
proved that prior to building, a long hedge had
crossed the site and crossed my block of four
houses at right angles. The height I estimated
at two storeys from the hedge shadows and
those of nearby existing houses on a nearby
main road. So, the hedge was obviously high
before removal.
I commissioned a soil survey and the
conclusion was that after the hedge had
been removed, the shrinkable Weald Clay
had gradually heaved after the housing
block construction, causing the cracking.
The underpinning of one house in the middle
had not helped, creating a hard spot. It was
believed that the heave had probably all
dissipated, but it was decided to leave any
remedial work alone for the present and
monitor any further damage.
After a period of three years, it was agreed
that there was no significant difference, and
that the walls could be repaired. This was
carried out by reconnecting gaps across the
longitudinal walls internally and externally
with either frame cramps with debonding
sleeves, or with cavity ties across the joints
with debonding compound on one end, plus
flexible sealant in prepared slots at the gaps,
all to allow any further minimal heave to be
accommodated.
Ian’s letter reveals a couple of interesting
features. First, that the causes of
subsidence are many and often puzzling.
Second, and perhaps less obviously, is a
point embodied in Brian’s letter that the last
time the summer was so prolonged and hot
was some 42 years or a ‘whole generation
of design engineers’ ago. Thus, unless these
experiences are recorded, today’s engineers
may simply not have the knowledge to
diagnose correctly.
TSE83_42-43_Verulam.indd 43
Remote inspections
via Google Maps
Bob Wodehouse responds to
Verulam’s request for comment on
the safety of our infrastructure in the
light of the Genoa bridge collapse
(October 2018).
If members wish to see for themselves
the condition of the Genoa bridge during
maintenance about two years ago, they
should go to Google Maps and then choose
the Street View option. Certainly, on the
Street View photos, looking up from the road
below, as well as on the bridge itself, the
bridge condition is evident. I would welcome
comments from members.
One benefit of Street View is that photos
can be magnified many times. Hence, if one
is going on a road trip, one can certainly
check the condition of road bridges in
advance. Finally, to echo your queries: do
members have any observations regarding
the Maracaibo bridge, Venezuela, which is in
a coastal area? Is this similar to the Genoa
bridge?
Bob certainly suggests one way technology
can safeguard personal safety when
venturing into the unknown! Does anyone
know about the Maracaibo bridge?
A tale of caravans
and wind speeds
Finally, we have another letter
from Bob Wodehouse, this time
recounting his efforts to track down
wind speed records.
From the news, I see that a caravan in Ireland
was recently blown over a nearby cliff with
fatal results (Storm Ali, September). Such
possibilities, like those of bouncy castles
blowing away, need to be taken seriously.
This incident reminds me of the time I was
assessing wind-related damage in North
Africa in the 1980s. My speed assessment
for the type of damage observed was in the
region of 120mph for a three-second gust
(with speeds a lot higher for a one-second
gust).
To assess my predictions, I went to the
local airfield (always a good source of wind
data), to check typical storm speeds. But
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
Opinion
Letters
while traversing the aerodrome, I saw a lone
caravan in the middle of a vast area which
had its own anemometer. Enquiries were
made about maximum wind speeds and I was
informed that their greatest measured wind
speed was 45mph.
Sometime later, a storm similar to the one
that I was assessing went straight across the
aerodrome, resulting in considerable damage.
I therefore made a visit to the recently
returned senior meteorological officer to
inquire as to the wind speeds recorded at the
control tower (as opposed to the caravan).
Driving across the aerodrome, I could see
neither the caravan nor its anemometer – both
had been blown away.
The meteorological officer confirmed the
control tower wind meter had gone off its
scale at 120mph. So, I then enquired as to the
wind speed recorded in the caravan. I was told
all was well at up to 30mph. But when winds
reached 45mph, the operatives very quickly
left their caravan for safety! So, it was no
wonder that their recordings appeared on the
low side.
To be fair, the people in the caravan were
measuring wind speeds for agricultural
purposes, so were only interested in the
relatively low velocities which can be quite
critical for plants.
There are two morals to this tale: i) when
you ask a question, make sure it is framed
correctly, otherwise you might get a
misleading response; and ii) don’t stay in a
caravan in high winds. More seriously, there
is always something to learn and here that is
the vulnerability of temporary structures to
wind. The bouncy castle events referred to
resulted in a child’s death and prosecutions.
force on the right-hand portion of the frame.
force of magnitude PL/3. There is no shear
D) The reaction of the roller is a vertical
right-hand portion.
of the steel frame and equal to zero on the
is equal to PL/3 on the horizontal portion
equilibrium of moments), the shear force
vertical reaction of the roller is PL/3 (from
is triangularly distributed. Because the
have a parabolic equation when the load
C) Correct. The shear force diagram must
equilibrium of moments).
the reaction of the roller is PL/3 (from
part of the frame cannot be PL, because
B) The shear force on the horizontal
reaction different from zero.
hinge and the roller produce a vertical
on the horizontal part of the frame, as the
A) The shear force cannot be equal to zero
January’s answers
AND FINALLY...
43
13/12/2018 11:06
 Opinion
Book review
Review This book will provide a valuable reference to those charged with protective design
against severe blast loading, concludes Andrew Morrison.
Development of ultra-high
performance concrete
against blasts: from
materials to structures
Authors: Chengqing Wu, Jun Li and Yu Su
Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
Price: £170 (paperback); £204 (e-book)
ISBN: 978-0-08102-495-9
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC)
is a generic term for a developing material
which combines ultra-high strength concrete
(UHSC) with steel fibres in a wide array of
compositions to provide tough, resilient
construction materials. As such, UHPC is
of potential interest to those charged with
protective design. However, there is limited
awareness of the physical properties of
UHPC in the design community, coupled
with a paucity of design guidance. This
book provides detailed information on the
composition, properties and performance of
UHPC under blast loads.
This is achieved through a detailed and
systematic review of recent research into
this material, covering static, dynamic and
blast testing, backed up by detailed numerical
modelling. Initially, the book presents detail on
the UHPC material, covering both the various
nanoparticles used to provide a very dense
matrix and the various steel fibres which
provide the critical crack-bridging effect. The
results of research and testing on concrete
slabs are then presented, comparing the blast
performance of normal-strength concrete
(NSC) and UHPC slabs under stand-off and
contact charges and incorporating various
additional steel reinforcement. Guidance on
the development of pressure–impulse (P-I)
curves for slabs is provided and this forms a
useful design tool.
The book then focuses on the performance
of column sections, identifying such members
as being critical to building performance,
44
TSE83_44_Book Review.indd 44
including damage control and prevention of
progressive collapse. This interesting research
addresses the direct effects of the blast but
also the post-blast load-carrying ability of the
damaged columns. Finally, the book presents
research into a specific type of structural
column, which utilises circular and square
tubular steel sections filled with UHPC. Once
again, guidance on P-I functions is provided.
The book highlights specific aspects which
help to consolidate the potential applications
of these materials. Initially, it is demonstrated
that the addition of nanoparticles increases
the compressive strength of high-strength
concrete by about 10%; a further 30–50%
enhancement of strength is achieved when
steel fibres are included at dose rates of 1.0–
2.5%. However, under flexural response, there
was little benefit from low dose rates of 1.0%.
There was a dramatic improvement in flexural
strength (up to 300%) when the dose rate
increased to 2.0–2.5%, with very high-strength
microfibres. The fibre-to-aspect ratio (length/
diameter) was shown to be important.
The book presents several numerical
modelling exercises to replicate test results.
Such topics are always of interest to
designers, for whom numerical models are
often the most effective means of design,
where recourse to physical testing is not
possible.
As well as structural performance,
designers are very interested in spalling
and the generation of fragments. In the slab
testing programme, the UHPC samples did
January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer
thestructuralengineer.org
not generate fragments, compared to the
NSC slab which was heavily damaged and
generated large amounts of fragments. This
important benefit is attributed to the crack-
bridging effect of the steel fibres, coupled with
controlled overall slab response.
Further guidance on the use of numerical
modelling to predict damage levels was
provided in relation to element erosion.
Erosion is a modelling approach where
elements which have yielded are deleted from
the model. However, it is well known that this
can compromise accuracy due to the loss
of mass from the numerical solution. While
concrete fracture strain occurs at 1–2% strain
(taking account of strain rate enhancements),
the researchers advise using a high tensile
strain value of 10% before permitting element
deletion.
The emphasis placed by the latter half of
the book on columns is useful. Columns play a
critical part in building safety, as evidenced by
progressive collapse requirements. The book
provides useful guidance on the amount of
damage experienced by UHPC columns and
the resulting residual load-carrying capacity.
This is a specialised book, describing the
performance of slabs and columns under
severe blast loading. For those charged
with such designs, it is a valuable reference,
providing a detailed overview of material
properties and how the selection of materials
affects the blast resistance. While the loading
is severe and the structural responses highly
non-linear, the book is easy to read and there
are numerous colour graphs and photographs
to aid understanding. The comparison to
numerical modelling is particularly useful since
it is not always feasible to conduct testing of
proposed designs.
Andrew Morrison
CEng, MIStructE, MICE
Andrew Morrison is a chartered civil and structural
engineer who has specialised in structural dynamics
including blast-resistant design. His experience has
highlighted the vulnerability of reinforced concrete,
particularly to close-in blasts, and the secondary
threats posed by the generation of fragments.
13/12/2018 11:07

thestructuralengineer.org
Review This useful and informative book offers good value for money, says John Lyness. It provides
many insights for those required to verify and check designs for different structural forms.
Structural design
from first principles
Author: Michael Byfield
Publisher: CRC Press
Price: £38.99 (paperback/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1-49874-121-7
This book comprises 11 chapters, which
describe various design methods for steel,
concrete and timber structural members.
Exemplar structural members are taken
from building structures, bridge structures
and temporary works structures. There is
little focus on the derivation of loads and
load cases, so the book’s focus is on useful
structural design methods and contextual
member design.
Of the 11 chapters, four revise structural
design topics, such as the limit state
philosophy, steel beam design, reinforced
concrete beam design and timber member
design. The other seven chapters introduce
more specialised approaches to design
topics, such as accounting for the buckling of
steel columns, trusses, arches and thin-walled
structures, steel-concrete composite design,
prestressed concrete, strut-and-tie models,
design for reinforced concrete crack control
and checks for the accidental action capacity
of members.
The prerequisite structural mechanics
knowledge is that of a post-second-year
civil engineering degree student, but some
principles used in application to the design
methods are more advanced.
At the end of each chapter, one, or more,
classic mechanics texts or design practice
guides are cited. Within the chapters,
there are also references and comments
on Eurocodes. Indeed, a most attractive
and interesting feature of this book is the
many useful and informed comments made
en passant during the structural design
‘narratives’ within the chapters.
TSE83_45_Book Review.indd 45
While there is some revision material in
four of the 11 chapters, this is certainly not
a standard design text or handbook. In the
preface, the author states that while he has
used Eurocode safety factors and notation
throughout, he uses sourceable formulae
which permit the portability of application
between codes and facilitate design
checking. There is no use of sequenced
design method ‘bullet points’ and parallel,
corresponding Eurocode clause numbers.
The narrative style of presentation,
moving through the design examples and
case studies, is easy to follow and the range
of design examples for steel, reinforced,
precast and prestressed concrete, and timber
structural members in temporary works,
buildings and bridges is very informative.
I found some very useful design examples
within this text. For example, the compliance
checks for beams, the extraction of the
accidental action capacity for props and
beams, the revision of slender truss buckling,
the case study on large-scale lattice-girder
arch buckling, stiffened panels for box girders,
shear stud design in composite construction,
M-N interaction diagrams, sequenced
sizing and design guidance for prestressed
concrete beams, reinforced concrete strut-
and-tie design examples, strut-and-tie use
in prestressed concrete tendon anchorage
design, reinforced concrete design for crack
control, flitch beam and timber truss design.
There are also other useful and informative
design examples within each chapter, again
with useful ‘asides’ embedded in the text.
At the end of each chapter, there are
TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019
Opinion
Book review
three, or more, realistic design problems
for self-solution. An associated website
gives answers to all the chapter-end design
problems in the book.
A book of such breadth and detail would
be unusual if there were no typos. I came
across three kinds: some misuse of terms
such as density rather than specific weight;
the use of symbols with multiple meanings;
and the use of unreferenced symbols. There
are not many occurrences of these errors
and they stand out because of the lucid
narrative style.
In all, I consider this book to be good value
for money. I would recommend it especially
to those who are interested in crossovers
between building structure design and bridge
structure design. Also, although the chapters
are not in the usual format, with sequenced
design steps and parallel clause numbers, the
book provides many insights for those who
are required to verify and check designs for
different structural forms.
The Foreword and the first paragraph of
Chapter 9 make sobering references to the
Sleipner A disaster of 1991. A useful account
of the relevant details can be found at www.
nafems.org/downloads/nbr06r02.pdf/.
As more reliance is placed on decisions
made by, and using, integrated structural
design software, structural engineers
need more appropriate qualitative and
quantitative methods to assess our structural
designs and prevent future computer-aided
catastrophes. Structural engineers are
required to be able to move from the ‘big
picture’ domain to the domain of details. This
book encourages readers to lift their eyes
from the spreadsheet and the screen and be
aware of the other possibilities available in
comprehensible design methods.
Dr John Lyness
MIStructE
John is Reader Emeritus in Civil Engineering at Ulster
University and an independent consultant at
Lynessmechanics®. He formerly worked as a
structural engineer in Belfast and in offshore
engineering in London.
45
13/12/2018 11:07
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Diary
Unless otherwise stated,
evening technical meetings
start at 18:00 (with
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Note that more current information may be available from the Regional Group Committee members
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MEETINGS AT HQ Modal Analysis Thursday 24 January Booking: www.istructe.org/

47–58 Bastwick Street, London 10:15–11:00: Session 2: Seismic Designing with Glass as a cpd-courses
EC1V 3PS, UK 11:00–11:45: Session 3: Footfall Structural Material (Glasgow)
Analysis Chris O’Regan Friday 8 February
10 January 11:50–12:35: Workshop: Practicalities of The Studio, 67 Hope St, Glasgow Temporary Demountable
President’s Inaugural Address Modelling Dynamic Analysis G2 6AE Structures: Guidance on
Joe Kindregan 12:50–13:30: Networking and lunch Members £145 + VAT, non-members Procurement, Design and Use:
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TSE83_46-47_DiaryDates.indd 46 13/12/2018 11:08

 At the back
thestructuralengineer.org Diary dates

Secretary: James Drew Secretary: Simon Leung Tuesday 19 February

(james.drew@ramboll.co.uk) East Anglia (simon.leung@simonleung.co.uk) Annual General Meeting followed
by Reinforcement of Timber
Monday 11 February Structures with Advanced
Devon and Cornwall Piper Alpha – Repairs, Northern Counties Materials
Strengthening, Disaster, Marco Corradi
Thursday 24 January Consequences Tuesday 15 January Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stephenson
PechaKucha (short timed speaking John Gage Building a Railway – Then and Now Quarter, Forth Banks,
sessions) All Saints Hotel, Fornham Street Hugh Fenwick Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3SA
Speakers: Various Genevieve, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stephenson 17:45 for 18:15
Harrison Building, University of Exeter, IP28 6JQ Quarter, Forth Banks,
N Park Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QF 18:30 for 19:00 Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3SA Secretary: Trevor Little
18:30 17:45 for 18:15 (trevor.little@wsp.com)
Secretary: Paul Wilson
Thursday 21 February (paul.la.wilson@ntlworld.com) Tuesday 29 January
The challenges of the final frontier Crossrail (joint meeting with ICE Surrey
(joint meeting with ICE and and CIHT)
IMechE) North Thames Stephenson Building, Teesside Monday 14 January
Professor David Southwood University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA Lateral Stability Systems in
Lecture Theatre 2, Roland Levinsky Thursday 31 January 17:45 for 18:15 Buildings
Building, University of Plymouth, Meet the President Lecture Theatre M, Surrey University,
Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA Joe Kindregan Tuesday 12 February Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH
18:00 Level 2, Skempton Building, Imperial Blyth Offshore Windfarm Project Chris O’Regan
College, South Kensington, London (joint meeting with ICE) 18:00 for 18:30
Secretary: David Bray SW7 2AZ Speaker: tba
(davidbray3@gmail.com) Reception: 17:30 for 18:00 Stephenson Building, Teesside Secretary: Ruslan Koutlukaev
Prior registration online required: University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BA (ruslan.kutlukaev@gmail.com)
www.mtp2019.eventbrite.co.uk 17:45 for 18:00

Manual for the design of

plain masonry in building
structures to Eurocode 6
(Second edition)
4HISNEWEDITIONREmECTSTHELATEST
REQUIREMENTSOF"3%.ASWELLASMANY
OTHERCODESANDSTANDARDS.ATIONALLY
$ETERMINED0ARAMETERSFROMTHE5+.ATIONAL
!NNEXˆWHICHHAVEBEENSIGNIlCANTLY
UPDATEDSINCETHElRSTEDITIONˆHAVE
INFORMEDTHEDESIGNFORMULAEPRESENTED
!VAILABLETOMEMBERSFORaANDTO
NON MEMBERSFORa
Available in print or
download in e-book format.

shop.istructe.org

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TSE83_46-47_DiaryDates.indd 47 13/12/2018 11:09

 At the back
Spotlight on Structures thestructuralengineer.org

Spotlight on
In this section we shine a spotlight on papers recently published in Structures – the Research Journal of The
Institution of Structural Engineers.
Structures is a collaboration between the Institution and Elsevier, publishing internationally-leading research across
the full breadth of structural engineering which will benefit from wide readership by academics and practitioners.
Access to Structures is free to Institution members (excluding Student members) as one of their membership
benefits, with access provided via the ‘My account’ section of the Institution website. The journal is available online at:
www.structuresjournal.org

New issue available

The latest issue of Structures (Volume 16, November 2018) is now available to read at
www.sciencedirect.com/journal/structures/vol/16.
The issue features the following articles:

Article title Authors Available at:

Novel Digitally-manufactured Wooden C. Málaga-Chuquitaype and J. Ilkanaev https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.003

Beams for Vibration Reduction

Vibration-based Structural Damage Saeid Talaei, Ali Beitollahi, Saeid Moshirabadi https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.006
Detection Using Twin Gaussian Process and Milad Fallahian
(TGP)

Tailored Buckling Constrained by Adjacent Lawrence Virgin https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.005

Members

Influence of Separation Interference Md. Naimul Haque and Hiroshi Katsuchi https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.010
Method on Aerodynamic Responses of a
Pentagonal Shaped Bridge Deck

Numerical Studies on the Buckling Pengcheng Li, Ce Liang, Jun Yuan and Ke https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.008
Behaviour of Cable-stiffened Steel Columns Qiao
With Pin-connected Crossarm Systems

Analysis of Dampers for Stay Cables Using Jean-Marc Battini https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.009

Non Linear Beam Elements

Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of B-C Mohammad A. Alhassan, Rajai Z. Al-Rousan, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.011
Connections: Influence of the Column Axial Layla K. Amaireh and Muneer H. Barfed
Load, Jacket Thickness, and Fiber Dosage

Controlled-rocking Braced Frame Bearing Navid Rahgozar, Nima Rahgozar and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.013
on a Shallow Foundation Abdolreza S. Moghadam

Evaluation of the Bond Strengths Between Mahdi Arezoumandi, Amanda R. Steele and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.012
Concrete and Reinforcement as a Jeffery S. Volz
Function of Recycled Concrete Aggregate
Replacement Level

Investigation of Wood Shear Walls Shideh Shadravan and Christopher C. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.007

Subjected to Lateral Load Ramseyer

Critical Inter-Load Spacing for Hogging C.C. Caprani https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.08.014

Moments in Three-Span Bridges

Behavior of Reinforced Lightweight Baraa J.M. AL-Eliwi, Talha Ekmekyapar, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.001

Aggregate Concrete-filled Circular Steel Mohanad I.A. AL-Samaraie and M. Hanifi
Tube Columns Under Axial Loading Doğru

Measuring joint opening displacement Jie Wang, Hongqing Liu and Huabei Liu https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.003
between model shield-tunnel segments for
reduced-scale model tests

48 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

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 At the back
thestructuralengineer.org Spotlight on Structures

Article title Authors Available at:

Shear Strength Models for Reinforced Subhan Ahmad and Pradeep Bhargava https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.004
Concrete Slender Beams: A Comparative
Study

Improvement in the Ductility of Over- Heba A. Mohamed https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.005

reinforced NSC and HSC Beams by
Confining the Compression Zone

The Effect of Cutting Openings on the Mona Mahlis, Ata Elkareim Shoeib, Sherif Abd https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.002
Behavior of Two-way Solid Loaded Slabs Elnaby and Alaa Sherif

Improvement in first-order reliability method Mohammad Amin Roudak, Mohsen Ali https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.010
using an adaptive chaos control factor Shayanfar and Mohammad Karamloo

Design for lateral stability of slender timber Anders Klasson, Roberto Crocetti, Ivar https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.007
beams considering slip in the lateral bracing Björnsson and Eva Frühwald Hansson
system

Hysteretic Behaviour of Asymmetrical Jose Christian Chanchi Golondrino, Gregory https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.012

Friction Connections Using Brake Pads of Anthony MacRae, James Geoffrey Chase,
D3923 Geoffrey William Rodgers and George Charles
Clifton

Tensile Membrane Action of Lightly- Ian Burgess and Mesut Sahin https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.011
reinforced Rectangular Composite Slabs in
Fire

A study on the parameters influencing Rakesh Siempu and Rathish Kumar https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.006
flexural bond stress in reinforced concrete Pancharathi

Properties and applications of FRP in Y.H. Mugahed Amran, Rayed Alyousef, Raizal https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.008
strengthening RC structures: A review S.M. Rashid, Hisham Alabduljabbar and C.-C.
Hung

Behavior of reinforced concrete beams Akram Jawdhari, Issam Harik and Amir Fam https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.014
strengthened with CFRP rod panels CRP
195

Optimum Plastic Design of Moment Mostafa Fathi Sepahvand, Jalal Akbari and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.10.002
Resisting Frames Using Mechanism Control Koichi Kusunoki

Innovative use of steel plates to strengthen Khattab Saleem Abdul-Razzaq and Mais https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.10.005
flange openings in reinforced concrete Malallah Abdul-Kareem
T-beams

Optimum Design of Stay Cables of Steel Manh-Hung Ha, Quoc-Anh Vu and Viet-Hung https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.10.007
Cable-stayed Bridges Using Nonlinear Truong
Inelastic Analysis and Genetic Algorithm

Experimental and numerical investigations M. Tahamouli Roudsari, H. Jamshidi K., M. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.10.008

of rigid IPE beam connections with drilled Torkaman and S. Ganji M.
flange and web stiffener

Seismic Soil-structure Interaction: A State- Vishwajit Anand and S.R. Satish Kumar https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.10.009
of-the-Art Review

Effect of thickness on the behaviour Krishanu Roy, Tina Chui Huon Ting, Hieng Ho https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.09.009
of axially loaded back-to-back cold- Lau and James B.P. Lim
formed steel built-up channel sections
- Experimental and numerical investigation

Seismic Risk Assessment of a 2-storey Liqiang Jiang and Jihong Ye https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.10.010

Steel-sheathed CFS Building Considering
Different Sources of Uncertainty

Monotonic and cyclic performance of D.V. Bompa and A.Y. Elghazouli https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.11.009
threaded reinforcement splices

Finite Element Modeling and Design of A. Hussain, Yao-Peng Liu and Siu-Lai Chan https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.11.001
Single Angle Member Under Bi-axial
Bending

Experimental evaluation of rigid connection Allah Reza Moradi Garoosi, Mehrzad https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2018.11.010
with reduced section and replaceable fuse Tahamouli Roudsari and Behrokh Hosseini
Hashemi

TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 49

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 Products & Services
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Lord-Lieutenant presents
Ancon with third Queen’s
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Company director Peter McDermott received the award on behalf of Ancon at a ceremony attended by 36 of the company’s long-serving employees.
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Complex geometry
mastered at V&A Dundee
thanks to Tekla
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The three-storey, 8000m² building stands 18.4m high and offers 1650m² of gallery space on the banks of the river Tay. Architect Kengo Kuma took his inspiration
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Sloping inwards and outwards, the twisting concrete walls hold 2400 precast rough stone panels, which form V&A Dundee’s façade. They weigh up to 3t each and
span up to 4m long.
The software allowed Techcrete to tailor the concrete sections into specific designs to fit the various sections of the structure. Tekla Structures was able to
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The flagship publication of The Institution of Structural Engineers

50 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

P&S Jan19.indd 50 12/12/2018 11:47

 Services Directory
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TheStructuralEngineer | January 2019 51

Directory Jan19.indd 51 13/12/2018 16:35

 Recruitment
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7880 6235 Email: tsejobs@redactive.co.uk

Attract the right candidate for less -

Advertise for just £379
Only The Institution of Structural Engineers can provide such a dedicated and receptive audience, whose
experience and creative abilities are sufficiently diverse to fill any vacancy, regardless of seniority.

Our five new options offer various levels of targeting and visiblity. These include:

£379 £879
DIGITAL DIGITAL & PRINT

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RAPID RESPONSE

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candidates

“
The Structural Engineer magazine and
website have consistently provided
Walker Dendle Technical with placeable
candidates and high-profile branding
since we started utilising both in 2004.
Martin Dendle, Walker Dendle
”
TSE Recr Jan19.indd 52 12/12/2018 16:15
 Recruitment
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7880 6235 Email: tsejobs@redactive.co.uk

PART-TIME, HOME BASED

Chartered Structural Engineer
We are a small structural and civil consultancy practice
established over 30 years ago. We need one or two chartered
structural engineers based in certain areas of London and the
South-East to handle jobs local to them on a self-employed, sub-
consultant basis but covered by our professional indemnity and We require enthusiastic Graduates,
public liability insurance.
Project Engineers and a CAD/Revit
You would be working from your own home and can choose the Technician. We also require an
hours you work and how many jobs you take on, typically two
days a week. The work involves mainly inspections and reports
experienced Senior Engineer as an
on building defects and structural design of alterations and Associate Designate.
extensions, both domestic and commercial. It would suit a person
who's taken early retirement but wishes to keep their hand in. Must Our of¿ce is on the river in historic Shad
be chartered and able to write good English. We pay around £250
for a typical inspection and report, and £35 per hour for design Thames, midway between London Bridge
work. No formal contract is involved. and Tower Hill stations.
All new enquiries and invoicing are handled at head office, so you
would not need to get involved in red tape. Our work is varied and innovative.
We would expect you to have a computer, an A3 printer, 8m tape,
600mm spirit level, digital camera etc. Autocad is preferable but If you are interested in joining us,
not essential. please send your CV to:

If you are interested, please see our website:

tony.manchester@packmanlucas.co.uk
www.abbott-holliday.co.uk and
write to Peter Holliday at Wissenden Oast, Bethersden, Kent,
TN26 3EL or email peter@abhol.co.uk.




EXPERIENCED STRUCTURAL DESIGN ENGINEERS - PETERBOROUGH

Founded in 1927, Stirling Maynard is an established independent Construction Consultancy which provides full professional services to advise,
plan, design, project manage and supervise all types of construction and development projects. We are a SME and pride ourselves on our versatility
and ability to deliver a broad spectrum of Civil, Structural, Highways and Infrastructure Engineering projects, with experienced staff in all sectors.
Due to an expanding workload we are looking to recruit additional engineers to help us deliver a range of projects.
THE CANDIDATE
Ideal candidates will be nearing Chartered status with appropriate academic qualifications and demonstrable experience and preferably be an IEng
qualified Associate Member of either the IStructE or ICE. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 to 7 years post graduate experience and be able
to manage teams of engineers and technicians.
The right candidate will have good technical skills being conversant in designing in all principal materials to Eurocodes and possess an eye for
detail. You will be a good communicator, be comfortable at conveying structural concepts and confident at tailoring your presentation to different
audiences. You will have experience of project based financial control together with commercial awareness and knowledge of the varying pressures
that affect SME’s.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Your main responsibilities will be to act as a Project Engineer on schemes of varying size, agreeing design philosophies/fundamentals with more
senior Project Managers prior to working up designs with allocated in-house teams. You will be expected to oversee the work of graduate
engineers/technicians in delivering calculations and drawings, providing tutelage as necessary, together with assisting in the production of
technical specifications. You will be expected to attend project team meetings and liaise with clients and other members of project teams.
WORKING WITH US
Stirling Maynard offer a collaborative working environment where engineers can flourish, broaden their horizons and feed off our experienced staff
to develop their technical and management skills. Our size and demographic mean that there are excellent career and development opportunities
for the committed engineer. We offer competitive salary and benefit packages based on experience.

To apply please email: recruitment@stirlingmaynard.com including a CV and covering letter demonstrating your suitability for the role.
No agencies or contract engineers please – only valid applicants will be considered.
Web: www.stirlingmaynard.com

TSE Recr Jan19.indd 53 12/12/2018 16:15

 Recruitment
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7880 6235 Email: tsejobs@redactive.co.uk
Structural
Engineer
An established Surrey based Consultancy
with a recently appointed management
team are looking for a Structural Engineer
to join the team.
The practice has 40 years of history and the
new team are looking to continue to serve
and build upon this. We are looking for a
capable enthusiastic structural engineer
with experience of working independently
reporting directly to the business directors.
The ideal candidate would be looking to
progress their career within 2 years to a
director position, growing the team and
client base. Equity is available in the near
future for the right candidate.
Interested parties please issue CV’s to
cdpjcccraig@gmail.com.
JPG excels in providing the highest quality Civil & Structural consultancy service across all
market sectors.
To meet our increasing workload and expanding client base we are currently seeking
enthusiastic structural engineers and technicians to join our teams in our Leeds and
Birmingham offices.
Principal/Associate Structural Engineer (Leeds) – Candidates will
be chartered for a minimum of 5 years and will have a proven
track record of performing at a senior level, within a consultancy
practice. Suitable candidates will be required to demonstrate
experience in a client facing role and the management and
resourcing of a team.
Further advancement opportunities to a senior management
level are available.
Senior Structural Engineer (Leeds) – Candidates shall be chartered
with the Institute of Structural Engineers or approaching chartered
status and looking to bring value to our business in return for
further career progression, will also require to be well versed in
computer analysis and design in all structural materials, innovative
in approach, be able manage projects independently including
attending meetings with contractors, architects and clients.
Software experience in TEDDS, Tekla Structural Designer, Fastrack
Portal Frame, CADS Wall Panel, P Frame and MasterSeries
Retaining Wall would be desirable.
Project Structural Engineers (Leeds & Birmingham) – Candidates
shall have a minimum of 4 years relevant experience at post
To apply please forward your CV to susanne.rook@jpg.group
TSE Recr Jan19.indd 54
Structural Design Engineer
Salary – Competitive
Contract type – Permanent
Hours – Full-time
Location – Marylebone, North West London
Recruiter – TBP Limited
We are a well-established firm of Consulting Structural and Civil
Engineers based in West London with a very varied workload in the
building structures sector.
We are seeking :-
• Structural Design Engineer for all types of building structures
• Minimum 3-4 years’ experience in a design office with
appropriate qualifications – BEng, MEng
• Familiar with all the usual materials and types of building
structures
• In depth building construction knowledge
• Working towards Chartered Membership, ongoing training
provided
• Some knowledge of BIM would be desirable
Contact Susan Burton at TBP Limited t/a Budgen Partnership
Limited
Mail@budgenpartnership.com
www.budgenpartnership.com
graduate level and be working towards achieving Chartered
or Incorporated status, will also require to be well versed in
computer analysis and design in all structural materials and will
be required to take an active role in project delivery, as part of
a wider project team.
Ability to assist in the delivery of projects through to completion,
and work within a multi-disciplinary team.
Software experience in TEDDS, Tekla Structural Designer, Fastrack
Portal Frame, CADS Wall Panel, P Frame and MasterSeries
Retaining Wall would be desirable.
Structural Revit Technician (Birmingham) – Candidates shall
have a minimum of 5 years Structural Revit experience, should
be able to demonstrate a proven ability to coordinate projects
and communicate effectively with design team members, and
be technically competent with the modelling and draughting
of structures to current design standards, the candidate should
also be able to work independently from design information
provided by the design engineer.
Ability to deliver projects through to completion, and work within
a multi-disciplinary consultancy.
Software experience in Revit is essential.
12/12/2018 16:15
 Recruitment
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7880 6235 Email: tsejobs@redactive.co.uk

Structural Design Engineer

Westgate are a pro-active, forward thinking company who have
been experiencing strong growth over the past 10 years.
To meet our increasing workload and expanding client base
we are currently seeking a talented Structural Design Engineer.
Our core values of loyalty, trust, progressive, flexibility and
collaboration are central to our culture and how we work,
providing an environment that will allow you to flourish.
Salary: Competitive
Skills:
• A solution oriented approach to tasks
• Strong attention to all health & safety aspects of projects
• Team player working within a multi-disciplinary team in the
delivery of structural engineering projects
• High attention to detail
• Practical product/industry knowledge to understand
customer’s constraints
• Integrated 3D modelling and structural design - with ability
to design concepts in 3D software programs
• Proactive in addressing problem issues, presenting and
pushing solutions
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner with
colleagues and clients
Qualifications and Experience:
• Degree or equivalent in Structural Engineering
• Ideally experience in the manufacturing and construction
industries
• Fully IT literate with experience of structural design software
packages
• Must hold a valid UK driving licence
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
• Assisting with or leading a variety of projects to completion;
undertaking integrated 3D modelling and structural design;
preparing calculations, reports, specifications and drawings
• Provide input into risk assessments and method statements/
O&M manuals as appropriate
• Task management and delivery to the highest standards,
demonstrating all round technical competence and financial
awareness
• Liaise with clients, identifying their needs and presenting
our solutions
• Prepare client and project proposals
• Requirement to attend site meetings and site inspections
• Responsible to identify relevant structural aspects of
existing and new products
• Other tasks as required

Applications to: vacancies@westgateuk.co.uk

CHARTERED OR NEAR CHARTERED

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
£40,000.00 to £60,000.00 p.a.
www.preston-engineering.co.uk Full-time

Preston & Co Engineering is a growing niche designgn led You will also be required to manage the delivery of projects and to
consultancy. We are currently looking to strengthen
gthen ourur team by lead small teams as the business grows.
er or near
the hiring of a Chartered Structural Engineer ne Chartered.
Char
Further attributes of this roles will entail:
By joining the team at Preston & Co Engineering,
neering you will
w be
Engineering design support for projects as required.
al small to
involved in a range of local and national o medium
med ed
sized
AutoCAD experience is preferable.
omplex facade
projects. These projects including complex cade retention projects,
roj
Experience using Masterseries design software is also
complex multi-storey refurbishmentent projects
pro cts substantial
su en
residential
an advantage.
developments in the South.
Manage the delivery of projects and to lead small teams.
The role will be challenging,g, demanding,
dema ding varied and offer fantastic
ast
Your job will include, but not be limited to supporting the directors
nd caree
opportunities for skill set and deve
career development.
through:
ƺȸɀȒȇƏ ǔƺƏȇƳ
áƺˡȸȅǼɵƫƺǼǣƺɮƺǣȇǝƏɮǣȇǕƏȵƺȸɀȒȇƏǼǼǣǔƺƏȇƳǔƺƺǼɎǝƏɎɯƺƏǼǼɯȒȸǸ
carrying out feasibility studies and structural surveys,
better when less stressed. Our core re business
busin ss values
val are providing
design assessment,
ǣƫǼƺƬǼǣƺ ɎƬƏȸƺ
ƏˡȸɀɎƬǼƏɀɀɀƺȸɮǣƬƺƏȇƳɎǝƺƫƺɀɎȵȒɀɀǣƫǼƺƬǼǣƺȇɎƬƏȸƺِÁǝƏɎȒɖȸɯȒȸǸ
scheme design,
ss allowing
will always consider the full build process allow ng us to specify a
detailed design and checking depending on project
althou h at times
more cost-effective construction solution, although ti it is
requirements.
challenging and requires creative solutions.
You will be working on both newbuild and refurbishment projects
You will be required to work autonomously within n a growing
growing
of a very diverse nature including heritage, residential, retail and
Buildings Structures team. Your job will include, butt not be
b limited
limite
mixed-use.
to supporting the directors by carrying out feasibility studies and
nd
etailed
structural surveys, design assessment, scheme design, detailed
design and checking depending upon project requirements. ts. This
Thi To apply for this position, please send your details to:
ǣɀƏƫɖɀǣȇƺɀɀ‫ٮ‬ƬȸǣɎǣƬƏǼƏȵȵȒǣȇɎȅƺȇɎƏȇƳɎǝƺȸƺǔȒȸƺǝƏɀɀǣǕȇǣˡƬƏȇɎȇɎ chris@preston-engineering.co.uk
growth potential over the coming years.

Structural Engineering | Temporary Works | Health & Safety Management | CDM 2015 Regulations | Value Engineering

TSE Recr Jan19.indd 55 12/12/2018 16:15

 Recruitment
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7880 6235 Email: tsejobs@redactive.co.uk
Align Property Partners is an expanding Northern based,
ISO9001 accredited team of design professionals including
architects, engineers, surveyors and safety advisors. We
have over a decade of experience in delivering a wide range
of construction projects from conception to completion.
Due to our developing workload there is a great opportunity
for two Civil & Structural Engineers to join our well
established team working on projects in a range of sectors
including Education, Residential, Commercial and mixed-use
developments.
We operate a ‘one team’ approach to our projects and
the right candidates will thrive on the challenges of the
many and varied projects we have across North Yorkshire,
Cumbria and other areas.
Your strong technical skills and experience will mean you are
comfortable delivering schemes for both private and public
sector clients. These, combined with excellent written/
verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills are
essential to participating in both design team and client
environments.
For both posts a full UK driving licence will be required.
We offer competitive salaries and benefits, working in a
busy, professional and friendly office.
Further details for these posts and how to apply are available on the websites of both the IStructE and Align Property Partners.
TSE Recr Jan19.indd 56
Drainage-Infrastructure Engineer
As a Chartered Engineer or an Engineer working toward Chartered status
you will have several years experience of drainage design, flood risk
assessment and infrastructure design.
Your responsibilities and experience will include:
• Providing technical support to the multi-discipline team
• The production of infrastructure design packages
• Dealing with Planning requirements, Section 38, 104, and 278 works
• Visiting sites to attend meetings, carry out inspections and surveys.
• Controlling and monitoring budgets and programmes for the civils/
infrastructure elements of work
• Competent user of design and Microsoft Office software
• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
Structural Engineer
As a Chartered Engineer or an Engineer working toward Chartered status
you will have several years experience of designing and detailing structural
engineering schemes from feasibility through to completion.
Your responsibilities and experience will include:
• Structural design & specification using a range of software including
AutoCAD, Tekla & NBS.
• Producing specifications using NBS software and other documentation.
• Visiting sites to attend meetings, carry out inspections and surveys.
• Producing technical reports.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving ability.
• Sound knowledge of all structural materials including, steelwork,
reinforced concrete, masonry and timber for drawing, detailing and
design purposes to current British and European Standards.
• Excellent literacy and numeracy skills.
12/12/2018 16:16
 Recruitment
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7880 6235 Email: tsejobs@redactive.co.uk

Chartered (or near)

Structural Engineer
South London Ref: 51625
Up to £55,000 + Benefits
Large niche international consultancy has a
requirement for a Chartered (or near) Structural
knowledge based Engineer to join its niche London studio as it expands.

FEATURED ARE ICONIC PROJECTS BY SOME OF THIS YEAR’S SUCCESSFUL NOMINEES AND CLIENTS OF WALKER DENDLE TECHNICAL
HERNE HILL VELODROME Candidates will need to be a Chartered (or near) TIFFANY GALLERY GLASS STAIRCASE
recruitment in W
member of IStructE and/or ICE and must
have good design and project-running
structural engineering skills gained working on complex
high-profile projects and they will
consultancy be currently working for another
niche London consultancy

Associate Senior Structural

Structural Engineer Design Engineer
Central London Ref: 51644 Central London Ref: 51642
Up to £60,000 + Benefits Up to £50,000 + Benefits
Large premier international consultancy has Large premier international consultancy has
a requirement for an Associate-level Structural HEYNE TILLET STEEL a requirement for a Senior Structural Design GL&SS
Engineer to join one of its teams as it continues Engineer to join the Central London studio as it
to expand the London multi-discipline hub. continues to expand. Candidates will need to be
Candidates will need to be Chartered with Structural Revit a Graduate member of IStructE and /or ICE, Associate
IStructE (prefer) and/or ICE and must have Technician be educated to MEng/MSc-level (2:1 min) Designate
gained good design, project and team- from a top 20 UK university and will
Central London Ref: 51615 Central London Ref: 51645
running skills in another design- have gained good designs in large
Up to £40,000 + Benefits Up to £57,500 + Benefits
focused premier or niche London new-build construction working
consultancy environment. Large premier consultancy has a requirement with premier architects. Niche design-focused consultancy
for a Structural Revit Technician to join one of has a requirement for a Chartered Senior
its teams as it continues to grow its London studio. Structural Engineer/Associate Designate to join
STEVE JOBS THEATER PAVILION Candidates will need to have a minimum of 3 SELFRIDGES DUKE STREET the expanding London studio. Candidates will
years’ Autodesk Revit Structure software need to be Chartered with IStructE and/or
W working knowledge combined with good ICE, be highly skilled in structural design
coordination and communication skills and project-running and be looking
gained working on large new-build to step-up their career with an
developments with another award-winning young brand
premier UK consultancy. establishing its hierarchy.

168 UPPER STREET

2No Structural
Design Engineers
Central London Ref: 51634-35
Up to £37,500 + Benefits
Premier design-focused consultancy
ECKERSLEY O’CALLAGHAN has a requirement for 2No Structural Design EXPEDITION
Engineers to join different teams as it continues to
expand. Candidates will need to be a Graduate
Associate/ member of IStructE and/or ICE, be educated Civil Infrastructure
Associate Director to MEng/MSc-level (2:1 min) and will Engineers
have gained excellent designs skills Across London & South East
Central London Ref: 51611
in new-build and/or refurbishment
Up to £70,000 + Benefits Up to £65,000 + Benefits
sectors and be passionate
Premier niche consultancy has a about sustainability. We currently have approx. 20 vacancies
requirement for an Associate or Associate- for Civil Infrastructure Engineers from Design WEBB YATES ENGINEERS
Director level Structural Engineer to join the Engineer level up to Associate-level across London
HAITI CHAPEL and the South East. Candidates will need to be SUNSET DREAM CATCHER –
expanding London studio. Candidates will need ECHELMAN SCULPTURE
to be Chartered with IStructE (prefer) and/or a Graduate or Chartered member of ICE and
ICE and must have extensive structural W must have gained a minimum of 2 years’
engineering design, project and team- civil infrastructure design experience.
running experience gained working At more senior level they should be
at another premier or niche highly-skilled at design, project
London consultancy. and team-running.

STRUCTURAL AWARDS WINNERS 2018

Walker Dendle Technical Walker Dendle Technical
Recruitment, for the 7th year, Recruitment would like
sponsored one of the Structural to congratulate Eckersley
Awards in 2018 by IStructE and this O’Callaghan, Heyne Tillett Steel and
year we chose to sponsor the award WEBB YATES ENGINEERS Webb Yates on their winning projects SOM
for “Construction Innovation” won by featured with a W in their categories at the
Atelier One. We are keen to continue Structural Awards 2018 in November 2018.
to offer our support to the industry For the 11th year, we had a table for
through this continued the night with guests from Atkins,
24 Greville Street T 020 3457 0797
sponsorship. Engenuiti, Expedition, Ellis +
Farringdon Moore, Fairhurst, Jensen Hunt, E technical@walkerdendle.co.uk
StructuralAwards2018 Momentum, Milk Structures
www.structuralawards.org London
& Pell Frischmann.
EC1N 8SS WALSH
uualkerdendle.co.uk

TSE Recr Jan19.indd 57 12/12/2018 16:16

 At the back
And finally... thestructuralengineer.org

The place to test your knowledge and

And finally... problem-solving ability.

If you would like to submit a quiz or
problem, contact tse@istructe.org

This month’s contribution from Marco Corradi MIStructE concerns shear forces in a steel
frame. The answer can be found on page 43.

Question
A steel frame is loaded with a triangular
distributed load (wind load) and a point load.
Which of the shear force diagrams (A–D)
correctly describes the structural response
to this loading?

A B

C D

Submit your problem for consideration to tse@istructe.org. The author of each published problem will receive a single e-book of
their choice from the Institution’s current catalogue.

Enter a sketch in the next competition – deadline 2 April 2019

The Drawing Board Sketches must be: To take part, submit your
is The Structural • hand drawn (no CAD, except for ‘guided freehand’) entries to: tse@istructe.org
Engineer’s quarterly • from a real project (i.e. not drawn for the competition)
Each published entry will receive
sketching competition, • at a suitable scale for publication (i.e. not too
a free single e-book from the
judged by Ron Slade intricate/detailed).
Institution’s current list of titles.
FIStructE of WSP | Please also submit a short description (150 words) to put
Parsons Brinckerhoff. the sketch into context. Background sketch by Kevin Lyons (Lyons O’Neill)

58 January 2019 | TheStructuralEngineer

TSE83_58_ATB_AndFinally.indd 58 13/12/2018 11:12

 Structural-Safety works with the professions,
industry and government on safety matters
concerned with the design, construction and
use of building and civil engineering structures.
We provide an impartial expert resource to share and to learn from the experiences of others.

You can participate by reporting concerns, in confidence, to the website. Reports are anonymous
and de-identified before being published. Reports can also lead to Alerts which influence the safety
of existing and new structures.

Visit the website to register for Newsletters and Alerts and to view the database of reports.

www.structural-safety.org
CROSS Confidential reporting on structural safety | SCOSS Standing Committee on structural safety

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