October 2023

Volume 101 | Issue 10

Battersea Power
Station

Quay Quarter
Tower, Sydney

rofi e ert
Williamson-Taylor

Reuse and refurbishment

What are the risks, challenges and required skills
when adapting or modifying existing buildings?

pp01 TSE_Oct23_Cover v2.indd 1 27/09/2023 12:03

 thestructuralengineer.org/jobs
The Structural Engineer Jobs is the official jobs board
for The Institution of Structural Engineers.
The perfect place to find the latest
structural engineering vacancies.
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average
every month

pp02-03_TSE_Oct23_Contents.indd 2 27/09/2023 12:21

 Upfront
5
6
8
Editorial
News
IStructE: responding to the RAAC crisis
10
Technical
10 How to approach the assessment
of an existing building

Professional guidance
14 Reuse of existing buildings: a safety
perspective
17 Historical defects in buildings – Introduction
18 Historical defects in buildings – No.1:
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete
20 CROSS Safety Report: Failure of cantilevered
stone staircase
22 Refurbishments of existing structures: risk and
insurance considerations

18
Project focus
24 Battersea Power Station – regeneration of
an icon
34 Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney – conservation,
life extension and upgrade using live digital
twinning

Opinion
43 Viewpoint: Teaching ‘reuse’ principles
at university
46 rofi e: A bert i iamson- a or

34
50 Verulam
October 2023

At the back

43
52 Diary dates
54 Spotlight on Structures
57 Services directory
A

Issue 10
S A

Volume 101
S A
A

3
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023

pp02-03_TSE_Oct23_Contents.indd 3 27/09/2023 12:21

 www.steel-sci.com

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pp04-05 TSE_Oct23_Editorial.indd 4 27/09/2023 12:05

 Editorial Upfront

PRESIDENT
Matt Byatt
CEng, FIStructE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Yasmin Becker

EDITORIAL
HEAD OF PUBLISHING
Lee Baldwin

MANAGING EDITOR
Robin Jones
t: +44 (0) 20 7201 9822
e: robin.jones@istructe.org

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
Will Brown
t: +44 (0) 20 7201 9121
e: tse@istructe.org

ADVERTISING
Robin Jones Managing Editor

Giving buildings
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e: janette.millan@cplone.co.uk

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a new lease of life

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY GROUP

Will Arnold FIStructE
Premma Makanji MIStructE
Allan Mann FIStructE
Chris O’Regan FIStructE
Angus Palmer MIStructE
Simon Pitchers FIStructE
WITH BOTH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENTS case studies demonstrating how these principles
Eleana Savvidi MIStructE increasingly recognising the environmental costs of can be put into practice. We present two examples
Subscription prices new construction, there has been growing interest of adaptive reuse – each on a substantial scale, but
Institutional (online only): £519
Institutional (print + online): £549
in reuse of our existing building stock – whether involving very di erent buildings. he first case study
Personal (print only): £135 through refurbishment or adaptive reuse. In this describes the transformation of London’s historic,
Personal (online only): £120
Personal (Student Member): £50 month’s issue, we explore the topic from a number but derelict Battersea Power Station into a vibrant
Single articles – digital: £10.00
of perspectives, beginning with an article that aims retail, o ce and residential comple , while preserving
Single issues – digital: £15.00 to set out the mindset needed when assessing an much of the original fabric (page 24).
Single issues – print: £25.00
e isting building and how this di ers from designing The second concerns the Quay Quarter Tower in
Printed by
Warners Midlands plc
a new building (page 10). Sydney, a 1970s structure which has been extended
The Maltings, Manor Lane Bourne, Other articles look in more detail at the safety both vertically and horizontally with an extended
Lincolnshire PE10 9PH
United Kingdom considerations when working on existing buildings floorplate (page 34). The project used digital twinning
© The Institution of Structural Engineers.
(page 14), and discuss technology to aid the
The Structural Engineer is published by IStructE how refurbishment and construction process.
Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Institution
of Structural Engineers. reuse projects are viewed Lastly, we’re delighted
ISSN 1446-5123 (Print)
by insurers (page 22). We to profile the Institution’s
also launch a new series 2023 Gold Medallist, Albert
THERE HAS BEEN
ISSN 2753-4421 (Online)

Contributions published in The Structural of short guides (page 17) illiamson aylor (page
Engineer are published on the understanding
that the author/s is/are solely responsible for the
to some of the historical
defects that engineers may
GROWING 46). Appropriately for this
issue, some of Albert’s
INTEREST IN
statements made, for the opinions expressed
and/or for the accuracy of the contents.
encounter when working on major recent projects have
REUSE OF OUR
Publication does not imply that any statement or
opinion e pressed b the a thor s re ects the
views of the Institution of Structural Engineers’
existing buildings, beginning included innovative vertical
Board; Council; committees; members
or employees. No liability is accepted by such
– topically – with RAAC (page
18). Our CROSS report
EXISTING extensions for the HYLO and
Southbank Tower buildings
BUILDING STOCK
persons or by the Institution for any loss or
damage, whether caused through reliance on
any statement, opinion or omission (textual
this month also considers in London.
or otherwise) in The Structural Engineer, or an incident that occurred
otherwise.
during a renovation project, ‘Reusing existing
The Institution of Structural Engineers
International HQ
with the partial collapse of a buildings’ conference
47–58 Bastwick Street cantilevered stone staircase (page 20). Places are still available at the Institution’s conference
London EC1V 3PS
United Kingdom While many members will have experience of on reuse of existing buildings on 7 December. If
t: +44 (0)20 7235 4535
e: mail@istructe.org
reuse projects, this is not a subject that is traditionally you’ve found this issue useful, why not sign up for
taught to students at undergraduate level. We the conference and learn more about best practice
The Institution of Structural Engineers
Incorporated by Royal Charter are pleased, therefore, to share the experience in the early stages of adaptive reuse projects through
Charity Registered in England and Wales number
233392 and in Scotland number SC038263
of lecturers from he eld niversity who have assessment, appraisal and design decisions. You
introduced a reuse module for final year students can attend the conference in person or online to
(page 43). Perhaps other departments will be hear from a range of expert speakers. Full details at
encouraged to follow suit. www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/events-reusing-
The issue wouldn’t be complete without some existing-buildings/.

5
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023

pp04-05 TSE_Oct23_Editorial.indd 5 27/09/2023 12:05

 Upfront News

Institution news
Success for IStructE at
British Parking Awards
The Institution of Structural Engineers
has won the Special Jury Award at the
2023 British Parking Awards for its Car
park design guidance.
The Special Jury Award is awarded to
an exceptional entry that has impressed
the jury.
Car park design, published in June
, reflects the necessity of a
completely new approach to internal
LSBU
Industry news
New tools help structural engineers source reclaimed
steel for designs
Two new, free tools,
developed by civil and
structural engineering
practices, have been released
to help structural engineers
reduce the embodied carbon
of construction projects by
procuring reclaimed steel
elements.
FerrousWheel has been
developed by Symmetrys
in partnership with London
South Bank University
(LSBU) under an Innovate
UK Accelerated Knowledge
Transfer to Innovate (AKT2I)
grant. The digital tool
identifies and graphically
highlights structural steel
members that can be replaced
with suitable reclaimed
structural steel beams
sourced from centralised
reclaimed steel stocklists.
StockMatcher has been
developed by HTS+, the
self- funded research initiative
of Heyne Tillett Steel. The
system compares a list of
reclaimed steel against a list
of design steel, finding where
design elements may be
substituted with reclaimed
elements. The matching
process considers geometric
and simple structural
properties, along with the
waste produced through
o cuts and over specification.
Find out more about
FerrousWheel at https://
symmetrys.com/climate-
response/ferrouswheel/.
Find out more
about StockMatcher
at https://stockmatcher.

layouts and other requirements for the co.uk/.

design, construction, maintenance and
reuse of car parks.
It reflects the significant changes
to vehicular size, weight and
manoeuvrability in recent years, to
o er modern guidance on parking bay
sizes and deck loadings, with a far
greater emphasis on sustainable and
inclusive solutions.
Created by Parking Review magazine,
the British Parking Awards are an
independent competition. The awards
recognise the leading examples of car
park management, enforcement, design
and teamwork.
Industry news
Curtins celebrates Leeds Year of Culture with exhibition
Engineering consultancy Curtins has
partnered with a local photography student
from Leeds Arts University, Elly Fraser-Watts,
to curate a photography exhibition marking
Leeds 2023: Year of Culture.
The ‘Our place’ exhibition explores how
engineers, their creativity and their lives
influence the cities they shape and places
them within creative cultural events.
Elly’s work is predominantly documentary-
based; she has a passion for photographing
personal stories and overlooked communities
with a thoughtful artistic response.
Curtins is inviting local schools to visit
the exhibition, where pupils will also enjoy
interactive STEAM activities exploring civil and
structural engineering, transport planning and
environmental engineering.
‘Our Place’ opens at Curtins’ Rose Wharf
o ces in eeds on ctober.

Could you write the Institution’s next

award-winning guidance? Contact
publications@istructe.org to discuss
your idea with the team.
Institution news
Give your feedback on
the Institution’s carbon
calculation guide
The Institution is planning to start work
on an update to its essential guide,
How to calculate embodied carbon,
in 2024, in response to developing
industry guidance, knowledge, data and
standards. Users are being asked to
provide feedback on how they use the
current guide in their work, and for ideas
as to ways the guide could be improved.
The short survey contains 14 free-text
questions based around the structure of
the guide. All sections are optional, so
please just provide feedback where you
really want to see change happen.
Share your feedback on the guide
at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/
J5YFNDR.
Industry news
Cross-industry paper reviews GGBS use
A cross-industry appraisal of the global be specified where well established supply
availability of ground granulated blast- chains exist, but it should not be used in
furnace slag (GGBS) has rejected the idea high proportions in the hope of reducing
that GGBS can be used as a substitute for global greenhouse gas emissions.
carbon-intensive Portland cement clinker in
concrete to reduce carbon emissions. Download the report at www.
istructe.org/resources/guidance/
global emissions, endorsed by IStructE, e cient se o s in red cin
Climate Group Concrete Zero, MPA The global-emissions/.
Concrete Centre, and the UK Low Carbon
Concrete Group, reviews the global
availability of GGBS, concluding that while
global supplies must continue to be fully
utilised, any local increase in the amount of
clinker substituted with GGBS is unlikely to
decrease global emissions.
The review demonstrates that GGBS is
a limited and constrained resource that is
almost fully utilised globally. Any increase in
its use in one location is highly likely to result
in a reduction in use elsewhere, balancing
each other out overall.
GGBS should continue to be used where
required technically. Beyond this, it may still

6
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp06-07 TSE_Aug23_Upfront News.indd 6 27/09/2023 12:06


Institution news
Look after your mental health with support from the IStructE
Benevolent Fund
As we mark orld ental ealth ay on
ctober, it is worth reflecting that statistics
suggest that as many as 25% of adults in
the UK experience a mental health problem
each year, with mixed anxiety and depression
one of the most commonly diagnosed mental
health disorders.
The IStructE Benevolent Fund has been
working in partnership with An iety since
2020, whereby members and former members of
the I truct , plus their dependents, can benefit
from support from an Anxiety UK Approved
herapist without a lengthy waiting list.
he aim is to o er early support and
Industry news
Engineering Council working group releases guidance
webinars on safety cases
The IStructE is part of the Engineering Council
orking roup ( ), set up after the
renfell ower fire to build competency. As
part of the programme, has developed
a series of webinars for those carrying out or
procuring safety cases.
is made of representatives of
professional bodies from across the built
environment sector.
pp06-07 TSE_Aug23_Upfront News.indd 7
treatment, so that members can return to a
place of good mental health.
We understand the impact that global events
and other more personal matters may have on
some of our members’ finances and mental
well-being. We are here to support you, your
partner and dependants to navigate through
those challenges.
If you or a fellow IStructE
member or former member would like
to apply for assistance, please contact
benfund@istructe.org or confidentia
compassionate support.
Find out more at www.istructe.org/
resources/building-safety-act/safety-
cases.
7
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
News News
UpfrontUpfront
Industry news
New report examines
biodiversity impacts of
materials
A research report published by
Expedition Engineering sheds light
on how construction materials
impact biodiversity throughout their
lifecycles. Supported by the Institution
of Civil Engineers (ICE) Research and
Development Enabling Fund, the report
investigates the embodied biodiversity
impacts of five key construction
materials: concrete, steel, timber, earth
and asphalt.
hile the report acknowledges
that further work is needed to enable
those working in the built environment
to reduce the embodied biodiversity
impacts of the materials they select,
it recommends four initial actions that
practitioners can take today.
he report also proposes a framework
to develop a strategic routemap to action
for the industry.
Download the report at https://
expedition.uk.com/project/
embodied-biodiversity-impacts-of-
construction-materials/.
27/09/2023 12:06
 Upfront RAAC update

IStructE: responding
to the RAAC crisis
The Institution explains how it has been engaging with government and the media to provide
insi t and ad ice on t e crisis en fin t e s sc oo s

On 31 August 2023, the UK risk factors associated with RAAC

PA IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

government’s Department for panel construction, with a proposed

Education (DfE) issued a news release classification approach to these
titled: New guidance for schools risks and how they may impact
impacted by RAAC (www.gov.uk/ on the proposed remediation and
government/news/new-guidance- management of RAAC.
for-schools-impacted-by-raac). We have been clear with
This communication advised that government and other stakeholders
any school space or area in England that professionally ualified
with confirmed reinforced autoclaved structural engineers – Chartered and
aerated concrete (RAAC) should no Incorporated members of the Institution
longer be open without mitigation – should be appointed to undertake the
measures in place. Coming just as comprehensive investigations to assess
schools were returning for the new the condition of RAAC. C

term, it hit the headlines immediately. Since the DfE’s announcement, we

The Institution issued a statement are aware of an increasing number
M

on RAAC with FAQs (www.istructe. of members being contacted to Y

org/resources/news/istructe- undertake surveys, and so we strongly

statement-reinforced-autoclaved- advise members to read the RAAC
CM

aerated-c/), and engaged proactively Study Group’s two online guides. The MY

with the media about this material – Institution has also been contacted
what it is, why it was used and how it by members outside the UK who are
CY

can be managed. aware that RAAC has been used in CMY

IStructE President, Matt Byatt, and their country, seeking advice about
Technical Director, Patrick Hayes, how they should manage buildings
K

conducted many media interviews, de a t fi es 20 -0 ai re- where RAAC is found to be present.

including BBC Two’s Newsnight, BBC reinforced-autoclaved-aerated- The Institution’s RAAC guidance is
One Breakfast, LBC, Sky News, BBC concrete-planks.pdf). CROSS is the applicable to buildings outside the UK
Scotland, BBC national and local independent, confidential reporting and will be useful to support members
radio programmes, and newspapers system supported by IStructE and the in assessing the condition of RAAC FA
including the Financial Times. Institution of Civil Engineers. Since and understanding risk factors that as
We also engaged proactively 2007, it has published numerous may impact on proposed remediation
In
and at a high level with relevant UK Safety Reports on RAAC (www.cross- and management.
is
and devolved-nation government safety.org/uk/safety-information/ Looking ahead, further guidance and
be
departments about RAAC. We’ll cross-theme-page/structural-safety- training materials will be issued as and
av
continue with this important policy reinforced-autoclaved-aerated- when more evidence comes to light
work to ensure that decision-makers concrete-raac-planks). and training needs are identified. FI
have the relevant and timely technical During the height of the questions fir
information they need. from the media and others about in
The Institution’s expertise in RAAC RAAC, we were able to point them to
is clearly in demand and will be for the the group’s 2022 and 2023 guidance o idance ro To
foreseeable future. This knowledge (Box 1). Indeed, policy-makers I tr ct t d ro p
and guidance have been informed in Scotland, England and Wales Im
over recent years by our RAAC Study have used these as a basis for their | Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) up
Group, which Jane Black, Head decisions about RAAC in schools. panels: Investigation and assessment, March 2022 we
of Technical Secretariat Services, The 2022 guidance was published | Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)
manages. This group provides a place to improve awareness of RAAC among Investigation and Assessment – Further Guidance,
for information and guidance on RAAC, the wider structural engineering April 2023
and is open to any member to join. community, and to share findings to
It was created following a 2019 help those who are asked by clients Both publications are available at
Safety Alert from CROSS (at that to advise on the management and www.istructe.org/get-involved/study-groups/
time known as SCOSS) about mitigation of RAAC panels. reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-concrete-planks/.
failures of RAAC planks/panels This was followed in April 2023
(www.cross-safety.org/sites/ with further guidance about the

8
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp08-09 TSE_Oct23_Upfront News.indd 8 27/09/2023 12:06

 FBeam® sustainability update - Embodied Carbon Optimization & Cross Laminated Timber - 12-09-23 v2.pdf 1 12/09/2023 18:11:58

The software behind the cellular beam

FBeam® sustainability update - Embodied Carbon

Optimisation & Cross Laminated Timber
With the construction industry being the world’s largest
consumer of raw materials, designing buildings with components
that help reduce global consumption is crucial. Steel specification
has many nuances so delivering optimised beam solutions, which
use less materials, addresses the need to decarbonise on a global
level.

FABSEC’s FBeam® software remains the leading design tool to

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manufacturing solutions.

• Carbon optimisation tool using product specific EPD to produce

C
a truly sustainable design including intumescent paint.
M
• Fire design optimisation considers both the intumescent paint
and steel mass to give a truly lean design.
Y
• Beams supporting Cross Laminated Timber Floors can now be
CM
designed in both ambient and fire conditions.
• Fbeam® designs on average use 20% less steel than equivalent
MY hot rolled members.
• All fabrication including cambers and web penetrations are
CY
incorporated locally at our sites avoiding additional transport
CMY emissions.
• Minimal waste design with web hole cut outs reused as fittings
K
or erection aids/packs.
Cross laminated timber panel supported on the bottom flange of the • Direct BIM interoperability options with leading structural
Fabsec® beam used to form the Ceiling soffit on the floor below. analysis packages. Making it easier to track and trace the
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FABSEC® beams are fabricated members made from three individual plates. The FBeam® software allows engineers to design
asymmetric beams in both composite and non-composite solutions to optimise mass and member utilisation.

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To find out more open our QR code to go to www.fabsec.co.uk

Important Note: Relying on mill specific products to lower the embodied carbon of a project in isolation can lead to unintentional global
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pp08-09 TSE_Oct23_Upfront News.indd 9 27/09/2023 12:06

 Technical Assessment of existing buildings

How to approach the

assessment of an
existing building
SYNOPSIS ANDREW LAWRENCE
Assessing the safety of an existing building needs a very CEng, MIStructE, MICE, Conservation Accredited
Engineer
different indset ro desi nin a ne i din is Arup Fellow, London, UK
article discusses how to approach the assessment and
some of the key questions which need to be answered, such RICHARD HILL
as the extent to which we can rely on past performance CEng, MICE, Conservation Accredited Engineer
and at ar in o sa et is accepta e e artic e does Associate Director, Arup, London, UK

not claim to have all the answers, but it is hoped these can
STEPHEN FERNANDEZ
be covered in forthcoming guidance from the Institution of
CEng, FIStructE, MICE, Conservation Accredited
tr ct ra n ineers Engineer
irector and lobal uilding Retrofit Leader, Arup,
Nottingham/Birmingham, UK
NTU

Introduction
ntil recently, the appraisal and modification of
existing buildings were considered specialist
areas and not an ‘essential’ part of a structural
engineer’s training. The buildings were typically
built before the 20th century from traditional
materials, and it was generally assumed that
they had proven themselves and did not require
formal assessment.
However, events such as the collapse of
Champlain Towers South (Figure 1) in Florida
in 2021 have highlighted the risk of collapse of
existing buildings. With the new Building Safety
Act in England and Wales, there is now a legal
requirement to assess the safety of 13 000
multistorey residential buildings and a formal
NIST

recognition of the overlap between structural

and fire safety.
There is also an urgent need to adapt and
reuse our existing buildings where possible
(Figure 2), rather than build new ones,
to reduce the carbon footprint of the built
environment. This is starting to become
FIGURE 2: Successful
transformation of existing mandatory across the UK with local policies
Victorian buildings at introduced, such as by the Greater London
Nottingham Trent University Authority1, to consider opportunities for
materials optimisation, reclamation and reuse.
The vast majority of buildings with the most
FIGURE 1: Remaining part
of structure following collapse potential for adaption and reuse, and also the
of Florida apartment block majority of those covered by the Act, are 20th

10
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp10-13_TSE_October23_Tech.indd 10 27/09/2023 12:07

 Assessment of existing buildings Technical

Box 1. Newton Building at Nottingham Trent University

century steel and concrete buildings, rather
than historic buildings. However, even these
modern buildings are not necessarily as safe
as we might expect – nearly all were built to
old codes, which often had lower factors of
This was a steel-framed tower and no vertical bracing was present to provide lateral
stability in the long direction. However, masonry walls had been built tight up against
the steelwork which provided structural sti ness. Removal of these walls as part of the
refurbishment meant that a new system needed to be introduced to replicate this sti ness
that the walls were providing.

STEVE FERNANDEZ
NTU
safety and were written at a time when some
design aspects were less well understood. For
e ample, concrete code rules for fire resistance
were substantially tightened in the 1980s.
When assessing an existing building, there
are several important questions that need to
be asked:
| Can we rely on past performance?
| Is the building ‘safe enough’?
| To what extent do we need to
undertake calculations?
| How many intrusive investigations
are needed?
| What are the risks for the client compared
with new-build?

These are complex questions and will need

to be the subject of future guidance from
the Institution of Structural Engineers. In the
meantime, this article discusses the questions
in more detail, to show some of the issues Further details:
which need to be considered when assessing ernande S. (2011) ‘Regeneration of ewton and Arkwright buildings at ottingham Trent
an existing building. Examples are presented in University’, The Structural Engineer, 89 (3), pp. 21–25
Boxes 1–3.

Can we rely on past performance?

The primary aim of any structural assessment
must be to ensure that a structure has an
adequate margin of safety against structural and
structural fire risks.
Past performance only shows that the
structure can continue to carry the same loads
it has actually experienced in the past (assuming
that there have been no alterations, deterioration
or damage that might have weakened it since
the last ‘heavy’ load). It does not show that it
has the same factor of safety or fire resistance
as a modern structure, or that these are
necessarily adequate.
Parts of existing structures are
occasionally found to be very close to failure,
and it is important to identify these, and the
consequences of such failure. There are
also historic forms of construction which
are already known to be defective, such as
1960s large-panel system (LPS) buildings,
as well as others highlighted in CROSS
(Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures)
reports (www.cross-safety.org).
It is a mistake to assume that a structure will
be able to carry the loads for which it should
have been designed at the date of construction;
this would assume ‘perfect’ design and
workmanship, which is rarely the case. For
example, concrete structures built before about
1970 will probably be unable to support the
loads in the codes of practice at the time, as
the shear strength of concrete was not fully
understood and so there were e ectively errors
in the code.
Likewise, even though the 1909 London
County Council Act2 advised an o ce load
allowance of 100lb/ft2 for reinforced concrete
buildings, equivalent to 4.7kPa, it is not
reasonable to assume that there is spare
capacity in an existing reinforced concrete
frame if now considering a ‘lighter’ current-day
imposed load.
Is the building safe enough?
Improvements in design codes mean that the
factor of safety of existing buildings is often
lower than that for new structures. There is
also the risk that a severe fire might trigger
a disproportionate collapse because the
resistance to both fire and disproportionate
collapse is typically lower than it would be
today. The question then arises as to whether a
building is safe enough.
While the current draft of EN 1990-2
(‘Assessment of existing structures’) recognises
that a lower factor of safety may be acceptable
for existing structures, it does not quantify this.
More detailed guidance is given in BRE Digest
366 Part 33 and in the draft fib ‘Model Code for
Concrete Structures 2020’.
here are definitely cases when it is appropriate
to check a structure using modern factors
of safety. Examples would be where there
is a significant increase of load, where there
are already signs of distress, or for forms of
construction with known defects, such as LPS
buildings. Brittle structures, which can fail without
warning, also warrant a greater degree of caution.
Whereas for a new building, we can rely on
the prescriptive safety factors built into codes
of practice and standards, for existing buildings
it is often necessary to weigh up the risks
against the cost and disruption of strengthening,
so that we can make the risks as low as
reasonably practicable.
This balance is now legally required under
the Building Safety Act, and it is hoped that
engineers will be given some guidance on
quantifying the value of risk reduction achieved.
he impact of fire on the structure is the most
likely reason that risks might be considered too
high, e.g. if a collapse might be triggered early
on in a fire due to a vulnerable cast iron element
at low level.
To what extent do we need to
undertake calculations?
There are two broad reasons for undertaking
calculations.
First, when a change is proposed causing
the loads in some elements to increase (or
reducing beneficial’ loads), then calculations will
be needed to ensure that they have adequate
spare capacity. Consideration will also need
to be given of how much of the structure to
check depending on the type and extent of
the proposed modifications. here is, too, an
implied requirement (once Building Regulations
are triggered) that the a ected structure should
have the same design life as a new-build.

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pp10-13_TSE_October23_Tech.indd 11 27/09/2023 12:07

 Technical Assessment of existing buildings
Box 2. George Green Library at
University of Nottingham
This was a concrete structure designed
in the 1960s. Major structural defects
were only discovered when refurbishment
works commenced on site, as the defects
were hidden behind finishes. The defects
were located at the junction between
precast and in situ concrete elements and
on the elevations with the most exposure
to the elements.
Further details:
Fernandez S. (2017) ‘Transformation of a
1960s concrete structure – George Green
Library, Nottingham University’, The
Structural Engineer, 95 (10), pp. 18–24
ARUP
Second, although the Building Regulations
are only triggered if there is an alteration or
change of use, this does not mean (even if
there is no alteration or change of use) that it is
acceptable to leave a defective structure in that
condition. Therefore, calculations will also be
needed when there are signs of distress, when
assessing a form of construction with known
defects, such as LPS, or when inspection of the
building and/or drawings raises concerns.
Since the building is likely to be occupied,
the investigations needed to undertake reliable
calculations will be expensive and disruptive,
so the investigations and calculations should
be targeted towards the potential issues
identified. his will allow a view to be taken as
to whether the factors of safety are acceptable,
pp10-13_TSE_October23_Tech.indd 12
and whether any elements are close to failure,
which would be a particular concern for more
brittle elements.
However, determining how – and how hard
– a structure is working is not straightforward.
There are usually few or no records of the
construction available, and even when drawings
are available, they might not represent what
was actually built, or the building might have
been modified since construction. his is
fundamentally di erent to new build work,
where we dictate what the building ‘looks like’.
In addition, existing structures are often
indeterminate’, with multiple di erent load paths
sharing the load.
Lastly, the building may not be working as the
designer originally intended and may even be
relying on non-structural elements for support.
For example, facades and partitions may be
contributing to the strength under everyday
wind loads, but might fail under an especially
strong wind, throwing all the load back onto to
the primary structure. Alternatively, replacement
of the facades as part of a refurbishment might
inadvertently reduce the structural strength and/
or sti ness of the building.
Therefore, the investigation and assessment
of an existing building will always be iterative:
| Review the available information.
| Visually inspect the structure.
| Postulate the likely load path, and undertake
rough calculations to understand whether the
load path seems credible.
| Undertake detailed surveys and intrusive
investigations to find key missing information
and also to check any areas of concern
(members are often sized for serviceability,
but investigations should be targeted to
areas which are critical for strength and
hence safety).
| If the load path does not prove credible, then
investigate alternative paths. This means that
it will typically be necessary to undertake two
rounds of investigations, with time in between
for calculations and assessment.
How many intrusive investigations
are needed?
What and how much to investigate should be
thought about carefully:
| Avoid asking for too much to be surveyed
too early. or e ample, it is not e ective use
of the client’s money to ask for all timber
joists to be strength graded, if (as is usually
the case) a simple calculation shows that
they are relatively lowly stressed because the
original design was governed by vibration.
| Start with a dimensional survey to help
understand how hard elements are working.
| Focus investigations on areas of concern,
such as where knowledge of the form
of construction suggests there may be
hidden defects.
| Remember to test di erent populations’ (e.g.
both columns and slabs).
| Ensure that enough tests are undertaken
12
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
to be statistically meaningful; the minimum
number needed will depend upon the
variability of what is being tested.
Undertaking investigations upfront will help
reduce the risk of unexpected issues arising
during the works. However, investigations
are expensive and disruptive, and the
structural engineer will be under pressure to
minimise the amount needed. In addition,
no amount of investigation and testing can
fully determine what has been built. At best,
investigations will only capture typical details
and workmanship. For example, nine out of
10 similar locations on the building might be
adequate, apart from the one which was built
unsupervised on a Saturday.
eing aware of typical deficiencies with the
form of construction or with the codes at the
date can help focus the investigations and
identify hidden risks. For example, knowledge of
the deficiencies in the assessment of concrete
shear strength in codes before about 1970
might be an indication to look carefully for
hairline cracks near beam supports that might
otherwise have been missed.
Or knowing that the UK design wind loads
for taller buildings before about 1970 were
substantially lower than those used today, and
in some cases only required that the aspect
ratio of the building be less than 2:1 to satisfy
lateral stability, might encourage a more critical
look at the lateral stability generally.
Before specifying testing, think about what
you will do with the results, whether favourable
or unfavourable. If the outcome will be the
same, then the tests may not be necessary.
While some non-destructive testing techniques
are available, they all rely on combination with
physical testing to give definitive results.
Remember that tests measure in situ
strengths and need to be converted to
design strengths.
All investigations should be undertaken with
appropriate caution and supervision, especially
where the load path is uncertain or where
elements are potentially highly stressed, to
ensure that no damage is done which might
impair the safety of the building.
What are the risks for the client
compared with new-build?
Understandably, clients prefer the predictability
associated with standard new-build forms of
construction. If we are to encourage more reuse
of existing buildings, we need to be able to help
our clients navigate the risk and uncertainty
associated with work on existing buildings,
and this can be as important as managing the
technical aspects. There are many reasons for
the uncertainty.
Since no amount of investigation and testing
can fully determine what has been built, the
client must always bear more risk compared
with new-build, where responsibility for design
and workmanship can be fairly passed on to
27/09/2023 12:07
 Assessment of existing buildings Technical

Box 3. 1 Triton Square, London

ARUP
The existing building at 1 Triton Square in London was expanded significantly to enable three
additional storeys to be added over. A variety of strengthening strategies were adopted ranging
from strengthening steel plates, concrete jackets, fibre-reinforced polymer wrapping, to justifying
the structure and foundations without the need for any strengthening. All approaches required the
structural engineer to fully understand the capacity of the existing structure.

Further details:
Robertson A. and Sturel E. (2021) ‘1 Triton Square, London – low-carbon development through
reuse of an existing building’, The Structural Engineer, 99 (3), pp. 30–35; https://doi.org/10.56330/
MWVI4065

others. This will also impact insurance and
warranties. To some extent, therefore, the
amount of investigations will be a balance of the
client’s appetite for cost and risk.
Hidden problems are often uncovered during
the works. More investigations upfront can
reduce the risks if the client is prepared to pay
for them.
It is di cult to define in advance how much
e ort may be needed to ustify a particular
element for a change in loads, especially when a
structural engineer is tendering for the work at a
time when the load path and element sizes and
strengths are uncertain. Typically, more analysis
e ort will yield higher strengths and enable
strengthening to be reduced or even eliminated.
Thus, higher fees in the design stages of a
pro ect will invariably lead to lower overall costs
for the client, but are rarely accepted.
Given the uncertainty over both design and
strengthening requirements, the challenges
can be even greater for design-and-build
contracts. Some clients are now at least moving
to two-stage tenders to give time for some
investigations and assessment to help reduce
the uncertainties before final costs are agreed.
owever, there can still be conflict since the
investigations needed to price the work will be
di erent from the larger number of investigations
needed to ensure structural safety.
Conclusions
Understanding both how an existing building
is working and how hard it is working is a very
di erent skill from designing a new building
following codified rules; there are many
additional challenges that an engineer will need
to grapple with.
Investigations and assessments will be
needed, but the amounts needed will vary on
a case-by-case basis. The structural engineer
must be aware of typical details and defects
with the relevant form of construction, so that
investigations and assessment can be focused.
However, the construction and condition can
never be fully known.
he engineer will then need to udge whether
the structure is adequately safe, part of which
requires them to decide on an adequate factor
of safety for the di erent elements. his is very
di erent from the prescriptive design of new
buildings, and will depend on many factors, e.g.
whether anything is changing, whether there
are any highly stressed brittle elements, and the
consequence of failure, as well as the cost and
disruption of any strengthening work.
Clients need to retain more risks than is the
case for new-build, and it is important that the
client and their insurer understand these.
The Institution of Structural Engineers is in the
process of preparing training and guidance for
members on the issues discussed in this article,
both to help them meet their obligations under
the Building Safety Act, and also to encourage
adaption and reuse as much as possible to help
reduce the carbon footprint of construction.
This new guidance will address
contemporary issues such as the safety of the
radical retrofits now needed to avoid demolition
and rebuilding, how to ensure risks are as
low as reasonably practicable, and combined
structural and fire risks. urther details of training
and guidance will be shared in The Structural
Engineer and through other IStructE channels as
they become available.
Relevant current guidance is listed in Box 4.
REFERENCES
1) Mayor of London (2021) The London Plan
[Online] Available at: www.london.gov.uk/
programmes-strategies/planning/london-plan
(Accessed: September 2023)
2) London County Council (General Powers)
Act 1909 [Online] www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/
Edw7/9/130/contents/enacted Available at:
(Accessed: September 2023)
3) Matthews S. (2012) DIG 366 Part 3: Structural
appraisal of existing buildings, including for a
material change of use, Bracknell: BRE
Box 4. Current IStructE
resources on reuse and
repurposing
Publications
| Institution of Structural Engineers
(2010) Appraisal of existing structures
(3rd ed.). London: IStructE Ltd
| Gowler P. et al. (2023) Circular
economy and reuse: guidance for
designers, London: IStructE Ltd
Events
| CPD course on ‘Historic timber
structures: assessment and reuse’,
16 November 2023
| Conference on ‘Reusing existing
buildings’, 7 December 2023
| Webinar series on ‘Analysis and
strengthening of concrete buildings
(built between 1950 and 1985)’

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pp10-13_TSE_October23_Tech.indd 13 27/09/2023 12:07

 Professional guidance Reuse: a safety perspective
Reuse of existing
buildings: a safety
perspective
Allan Mann of the IStructE Safety, Health and Wellbeing Panel provides a short summary of some of
the key safety considerations when working on an existing building.
Introduction
A key part of our strategy as
a profession for meeting the net-
zero target is maximising the reuse
of existing buildings. While there is
already much experience of this,
e.g. gained by conservation groups
working on heritage structures, reuse
poses health and safety challenges.
aturally, we need confidence that
repurposed buildings are safe: but how
‘safety’ may be demonstrated is not
always clear. That demonstration task
needs to ensure both that the future
building is structurally sound (perhaps
through an extended life), and that its
fabric will be free of latent defects.
Additionally, the works should be
safe to execute, and increased risks
arising from structural conversion
might demand special consideration
during site work. Not all risks are
obvious (such as those associated with
uncertain condition). ite fires during
refurbishment are not uncommon, e.g.
the fire that destroyed the lasgow
School of Art in 2018 (Figure 1) during
restoration work after an earlier fire1.
What are the challenges?
Many of the obstacles to assuring
safety are well known. It is almost
axiomatic that original drawings will
have been lost (certainly the details)
and there will be legitimate doubt as
to whether a building was precisely
constructed to match its design intent:
surprises are to be expected.
Material properties will be unknown,
or at least uncertain, and properties
may have degraded over time.
Frequently, a building will have been
altered throughout its life without
records being kept. Finally, it might
be anticipated that many structures,
either overall or at component level,
pp14-16_TSE_October23_Reuse and H&S.indd 14
fail to meet modern standards or
modern expectations.
But if buildings are to be more
routinely reused, these challenges
need to be addressed in a manner
that ustifies the structures as being
functionally adequate.
Sharing best practice on ‘how to
do it’ is certainly to be encouraged.
An instructive example of the tasks
facing engineers in reuse and how they
can be accomplished may be seen
in the conservation of the Bourse de
Commerce, a Paris landmark of great
historical significance.
This project was the subject of a
lecture at IStructE HQ in 20222. Its
main feature is a very large dome
dating from supported by a cast
iron framework. The Bourse clearly
had to be retained, yet its condition
was uncertain: it had been altered
over time, material properties were
unknown, and the original design
standards were ‘unique’.
Change of use
A starting point in any appraisal should
be definition of any change of use
and thence a grasp of implications
stemming from that. Many old
warehouses have been converted
to flats. or these, it may be that the
demands of live loading have been
reduced but the risks from fire (to
occupants) may have increased. If
that is the case, the strategy for fire
prevention needs both definition
and following through in detail to the
building or structure’s demands.
Initial appraisal
Any reuse project should start with
an appraisal of the existing structure’s
condition . Appraisals from records
are clearly valuable, but should still be
14
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
treated with caution, partly because
materials may have degraded and
partly due to a potential mismatch
between design intent and as-built
reality. Experience of similar structures
may be useful, e.g. by identifying
typical weak links such as joints or
column head shear in flat slab floors.
Although credit can be given for
age and history of use, longevity is
no guarantee of capacity. In 2021,
Champlain Towers South, a 12-storey
block of flats in lorida, su ered a
spectacular partial collapse after
40 years of occupation. This failure
has been examined in a recent
lecture at IStructE HQ6 with themes
of overloading, degradation, and a
mismatch between design intent and
as-built detailing all appearing.
Crucially, there were design and
construction inadequacies leading
to weakness of flat slabs around
column heads and it was one such
shear failure that seems to have
initiated the overall disaster. Lessons
for reuse include the need for thorough
inspections and appraisals, as well
as the need to assess the capacity’s
sensitivity to any assumptions made.
In the slabs that failed, capacity
predictions were sensitive to credible
variations in rebar position.
In another example, in 2006, the
roof of the Bad Reichenhall ice rink in
ermany failed after years of use,
killing 15 users; a failure precipitated by
progressive water damage7.
Another skill to minimise failure risk
is therefore familiarity with previous
disasters. Whatever might go wrong
has probably gone wrong before, but
events fade from memory, so a desk
study8 is advisable. If an extended life
is required, one supportive strategy is
to devise and impose a longer-term
27/09/2023 12:08

iSTOCK/CLAUDIO DIVIZIA
monitoring programme. If proper
monitoring had been in place at
Champlain Towers South, progressive
cracking might have been seen as a
precursor of what was to come.
Detailed investigation
Condition and geometric surveys
will both be required since it is not
unknown for members to have been
mispositioned, and such surveys
should also record amounts of
building alignment and settlement.
Condition surveys need to conclude
with reasonable assurance of
actual condition, and this is most
problematic when elements are either
un inspectable or cannot be identified.
Examples abound of hidden defects
that have later proven of structural
significance, so a degree of intrusive
investigation is to be expected. If
this cannot be completed before a
project starts, then prudence suggests
verification is made as the pro ect
proceeds (analogous to hold points in
any quality assurance (QA) system).
Identifying a component’s
provenance may be di cult. A
good contemporary example is the
widespread discovery in the UK of
weaknesses in proprietary units of
reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete
(RAAC), a material that had been
almost forgotten. Weaknesses
revealed in some hospitals proved
pp14-16_TSE_October23_Reuse and H&S.indd 15
Reuse: a safety perspective
so bad that, in May 2023, the
government committed to demolishing
and rebuilding five of them. y late
August, many schools were also
regarded as being at risk and were
precipitously closed. Thereafter, as
investigations proceeded, RAAC was
being revealed in many more structures
and the crisis escalated.
Yet information on RAAC had long
been available from both the IStructE9
and the Collaborative Reporting for
Safer Structures (CROSS) scheme10.
Exactly the same pattern occurred in
the 1970s with high-alumina cement
(HAC). There were a few isolated
failures followed by building surveys
which unearthed widespread HAC use,
with many structures already being in
weakened states.
In the ourse pro ect, the team
recorded the condition of the roof and
its history of alterations. Thereafter,
the team deployed considerable
e orts to investigate the source of
the cast and wrought iron used in the
framework and to assess its capacities.
Condition surveys identified broken
components. uch finds often emerge
in older structures consequent on
building movement, with survival being
dependent on load redistribution.
In another refurbishment case,
there was a wall failure when timber
window frames were removed,
because longer-term movement had
15
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Professional guidance
caused the frames to become an
integral part of the wall’s stability.
Materials and components
It is, of course, appropriate that
material properties are reasonably
understood, but there will be many
cases where doubts remain. The
QA systems of today did not exist in
the past, so there will always be an
element of risk (see comments on risk
in Appraisal of existing structures3).
Acknowledging risks need not justify
e cess caution. Reasonable e orts can
be made to bound material properties,
with guideline advice available from trade
organisations for all our major materials.
Numerous articles giving advice have
also been published in The Structural
Engineer (e.g. March 2023 issue focusing
on reuse of structural steel11).
A sense of proportion is required
as, in many existing structures, key
weaknesses will lie within joints rather
than within members themselves,
and joint information may be rather
limited. Thus, there may be little
point striving for precision in member
capacity unless it can be reasonably
FIGURE 1:
The Charles Rennie
assured that the supporting joints are
Mackintosh-designed themselves not the weak link (one of
Glasgow School or the largest groups of CROSS reports
Art was severely
damaged b fire or a
refers to fi ings of various kinds).
second time in 2018 Assessing modes of failure can
during restoration be very instructive when assessing
wor o owing an
ear ier fire in 20
risk. If an appraisal suggests failure
modes may be brittle and/or sudden,
e tra caution is ustified. Conversely,
modes that merely result in excess
deformation, giving warning of distress,
will provide comfort.
This may be especially relevant
when appraising foundations for reuse.
Typical permissible bearing pressures
are rounded o to relatively coarse
values of kN/m2, so marginal excess
pressures are unlikely to be significant
in terms of safety. Moreover, if the
predicted mode of ‘failure’ is some
increased settlement over time, that
change will not pose any imminent
safety concerns and that knowledge
may aid judgments as to acceptability.
In the ourse pro ect, the team was
conscious that use of cast iron in lower
roof members (taking compression
plus bending) o ered potential for
brittle fracture, so the stress capacity
considered tolerable was downgraded.
The column head shear failures at
Champlain Towers South were, of
course, brittle.
Modern standards
There is an argument that refurbished
27/09/2023 12:08
 Professional guidance Reuse: a safety perspective
buildings should meet modern
standards, but that is an intellectual
trap: it should be recalled that
Building Regulations do not apply
retrospectively. Existing structures
do not become unsafe merely
because they cannot be shown to be
compliant with modern codes. If that
were the case, we would be forced
to reappraise or perhaps demolish
many historic structures. Rather the
onus should be on teams to articulate
reasons why the structure is either safe
or unsafe in its new intended function.
A structure’s safety is governed by
much more than stress limits. Attributes
such as: likely capacity; confidence in
condition knowledge; robustness and
redundancy; insensitivity to variations
in assumptions; confidence in overall
stability; likely hazards, etc. are all
themes that might be explored to justify
confidence. aturally, some modern
analysis may be used in support. But
the objective should be to understand
performance rather than to try to prove
compliance with precise elastic limits.
onetheless, professionalism
requires familiarity with code evolution,
with another lesson from Champlain
Towers South being that older
design rules predicting flat slab shear
resistance around columns were
simply not robust enough. Modern
programs can run a vast number of
loading circumstances to derive a
‘worst case’, but designers should also
ask themselves whether this output
really is the worst probable case or just
something extreme.
If this task of showing compliance
cannot be done, certain alternative
measures are possible. In the Bourse
project, analyses were carried out to
understand how the ribbed dome
structure behaves and thence to identify
points of weakness. Thereafter, some
structural interventions were made
(Figure 2), not to directly change the
original structure, which had survived well
for a long time, but to act as emergency
supports should something fail.
A particular problem with reusing older
structures is to assure their robustness.
ur current rules can act as a significant
impediment to change of use or to
extension, especially in a vertical
direction. The concepts of ‘robustness’
are easy to grasp but hard to codify. So,
it is important to realise that the rules we
have are empirical and originally devised
to render their application relatively
straightforward in new-build.
In assessing older buildings for
reuse, it would seem sensible to permit
pp14-16_TSE_October23_Reuse and H&S.indd 16
A I R ’I I RI
some latitude on rigid rule application,
as long as reasonable demonstrations
of robustness can be made. Scenarios
that might cause a progressive collapse
are rare and may pragmatically
be excluded in considering likely
risk for existing buildings that have
performed adequately (although the
Champlain Towers South collapse
is a demonstration of what might
happen). If a structure’s altered use
presents risks ‘no worse than before’,
intervention may be limited to what is
deemed reasonably practicable.
Sense is required. Fire risks may
well be exacerbated by change of use
and disastrous fires remain a regular
occurrence. Alterations present the
risk of original compartments being
breached, and penetrations added
without fire stopping are a ha ard.
A solution is for the team to be clear
what assures building safety from
fire ha ards and then verify that all
control measures have been applied
REFERENCES
1) BBC News (2022) Glasgow
School of Art: A timeline of two
fires [Online] Available at: www.
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-
glasgow-west-60112316
(Accessed: September 2023)
2) Vaudeville B. and Tribh R.
(2022) Bourse de Commerce:
conservation and reinforcement
of a historic cast iron structure
[Lecture] [Online] Available
at: www.youtube.com/
watch?v=B5kApQG08-Q&list=P
LiQQHjCU5tycArhNVntZeUQF2F
UhUUOgF&index=7 (Accessed:
September 2023)
3) Institution of Structural
Engineers (2010) Appraisal of
existing structures (3rd ed.),
London: IStructE Ltd
4) Institution of Structural
Engineers (2008) Guide to
surveys and inspections of
buildings and associated
structures, London: IStructE Ltd
16
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
across all disciplines. There has, in
the past, been perhaps too much
separation between the disciplines of
fire prevention and structural design:
danger thrives on interfaces.
Upskilling
As an institution, we need to consider
how to educate our members more
widely on a range of potentially useful
FIGURE 2: During skills if building reuse becomes
conservation work common practice. Some guidance
on the cast iron
dome of the Bourse is available, such as that cited in the
de Commerce, Paris references. But it would be helpful
investigations and to collate authoritative sources and
analyses led to the
implementation of to produce additional guidance on
limited structural building inspections.
interventions (red) The latter demand arises not least
to act as emergency
supports in the event as many practitioners will be nervous
of failure about liabilities acquired for maybe not
identifying hazards that later turn out to
be critical. Moreover, potential clients
ought to be assured that specific
guidance on good practice is available
to minimise all parties’ exposure.
The Institution’s intention to
develop an upskilling programme in
refurbishment is welcome.
This article has been produced by
Allan Mann BSc(Eng), PhD, FREng,
FIStructE on behalf of the IStructE
Safety, Health and Wellbeing Panel.
5) International Organization 99 (3), pp. 10–13; https://doi.
for Standardization (2010) ISO org/10.56330/JHGJ5824
13822:2010 Bases for design
9) Institution of Structural
of structures – Assessment of
Engineers (s.d.) Reinforced
existing structures, Geneva: ISO
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
6) Klein G.J. (2023) Champlain planks (RAACs) [Online]
Towers South collapse Available at: www.istructe.org/
investigation in Surfside, get-involved/study-groups/
Florida [Online] Available reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-
at: https://m.youtube.com/ concrete-planks/ (Accessed:
watch?v=oUFvUxsTCB4 September 2023)
(Accessed: September 2023)
10) CROSS-UK (2023) CROSS
7) Seibel W. (2022) ‘Politicization Theme Page: Structural safety
of the Non-politicizable: The of reinforced autoclaved aerated
Collapse of the Ice Skating Rink concrete (RAAC) planks [Online]
in Bad Reichenhall on 2 January Available at: www.cross-safety.
2006’, In: Collapsing Structures org/uk/safety-information/cross-
and Public Mismanagement, theme-page/structural-safety-
Cham: Palgrave Macmillan; reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3- concrete-raac-planks (Accessed:
030-67818-0_5 September 2023)
8) Cobb C. (2021) 11) The Structural Engineer
‘Understanding existing (2023) 101 (3), pp.1–52; https://
b i dings fi e st dies to doi.org/10.56330/WHBA7859
complete before design work
starts’, The Structural Engineer,
27/09/2023 12:08
 Historical defects | Introduction Professional guidance

Historical defects
in buildings
Introduction
Hugh Docherty introduces a new series of short advice notes that aims to educate structural
engineers on historical defects commonly encountered when working on existing buildings.

The purpose of buildings is changing,

MILTON COGHEIL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

HUGH DOCHERTY
as is the way we use them – a trend
accelerated by the coronavirus
pandemic. uildings are being refitted,
refurbished and repurposed to meet
the demands of hybrid working,
new retail or leisure concepts, and
change of use to accommodate hotels,
build-to-rent residential schemes,
logistics depots and biomedical
science laboratories.
These changes have to satisfy
the criteria for sustainability, net-zero
carbon and other green requirements
from schemes such as BREEAM, LEED
or WELL in order to attract ethical
or green investment. The retention
and reuse of existing buildings is an
essential element of the ambition to
reduce carbon emissions.
But retention and reuse bring Checking for faults and latent FIGURE 1: This is not a complete list, but serves
Go-kart track in
particular challenges, including defects will reflect current technical to illustrate the potential for the newly
ex-Debenhams
the potential for defects within the experience and codes of practice. department store, refurbished structure to contain a latent
building structure. Could your building However, we need to be aware that, Wandsworth, London defect. Nor does the list replace the
withstand hacking the large floor plates for the refurbishment of buildings, it is usual due diligence required when
for that ‘must-have’ full-height atrium, necessary to check that the structure assessing an existing building for a
cascade stairs, or to create internal does not contain one (or more) of any new use.
space for a vertical go-kart circuit historical defects that may manifest The articles will be written only
(Figure 1)? themselves as part of the ‘upgrade’ or to alert the reader to each defect,
change-of-use works. The historical with some broad guidance on
Assessing a building defect may well be ‘dormant’ and investigation and repair. The reader will
It is essential to establish the age hidden within the corporate archive, but need to consult more widely to gain a
and method of construction of the new use may change the building’s working knowledge of how to deal with
the building to be reconfigured. dynamic and trigger a deterioration. these defects.
While ‘state-of-the-art’ at the time,
many methods or components of Aim of the series Hugh Docherty MA, MIStructE,
construction in the past 30–50 years This series of advice notes will consider MICE has extensive experience
have not aged well, have developed some examples of historical defects, as a structural designer and
serious flaws, or have latent defects. such as: manager of multidisciplinary
An important step in achieving this | alkali–silica reaction (ASR) design teams both in the UK
change is to check and verify that the | carbonation of concrete cover (including the London Docklands
existing structure and fabric of the | high-alumina cement (HAC) regeneration zone) and
building can be utilised for the new | Regent Street disease internationally: in Georgia, Romania,
role and that it is safe to occupy, fit | reinforced autoclaved aerated Hungary and Poland. He also
for purpose and can meet the concrete (RAAC) provides ‘expert’ advice relating to
standards required. | woodwool formwork structural engineering matters.

17
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023

pp17 TSE_October23_ProfessionalGuidance.indd 17 27/09/2023 12:04

 Professional guidance Historical defects | No. 1
Historical defects
in buildings
No. 1: Reinforced
autoclaved aerated
concrete
n the first note in this new series Hugh Docherty looks at the topical subject
o rein orced a toc a ed aerated concrete ( AA ) o ering brie g idance on
identification and mitigation remedia options
Description and effects
Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is
di erent from normal dense concrete.
It has no coarse aggregate, and is
made in factories using fine aggregate,
chemicals to create gas bubbles
(Figure 1), and heat to cure the
compound. It is relatively weak, with a
low capacity for developing bond with
embedded reinforcement.
AAC was used in two main forms
of structural elements: lightweight
masonry blocks and structural units.
hen reinforced (reinforced AAC:
RAAC) to form structural units, the
A .
CC
IA C
I I
R AR I I, IA
ARC
pp18-19 TSE_October23_ProfessionalGuidance.indd 18
protection of the reinforcement
against corrosion is usually provided
by a cement late slurry coating,
which is applied to the reinforcement
before casting the planks. he
reinforcement mesh is then introduced
into the formwork and the li uid AAC
mi added.
In the , RAAC was commonly
used in school and other buildings
(including hospitals and o ces) from
the mid s to the mid s.
FIGURE 1: RAAC is mainly found in roofs,
AA samp e
showing characteristic although occasionally in floor and
b bb orm wall panels.
he limited durability of RAAC roofs
has long been recognised; however,
recent e perience (which includes two
roof failures with little or no warning)
suggests the problem may be more
serious than previously appreciated
and that many building owners are not
aware that it is present in their property.
RAAC appears to have been used by
some municipal architects in a wide
range of public sector buildings, not all
of which are still in the public sector.
Although called concrete’, it is very
di erent from traditional concrete and,
because of the way in which it was
made, much weaker. re RAAC
planks are now past their e pected
service life.
As reported in a C Alert of ay
20191, there were instances of failure
18
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
in the s of RAAC roof planks
installed during the mid s. everal
case studies revealed some primary
deficiencies, e.g. incorrect cover to the
tension steel, high span to depth ratio,
insu cient provision of crossbars for
providing anchorage for the longitudinal
steel, and rapid worsening of corrosion
of steel. It is known that RAAC was
used for walls and that there are RAAC
floor planks.
In late , there was a failure at a
school involving a flat roof constructed
using RAAC planks. here was
evidence of shear cracking ad acent to
a support and possible indications of
tension reinforcement stopping short of
the support. here was little warning of
the sudden collapse.
ore recently, in August , the
epartment for ducation ( f ) in
ngland ordered over schools to
close buildings (Figure 2) and issued
new guidance to schools2 after further
incidents were reported.
Identification
hen inspecting flat roofs, the
potential presence of RAAC planks
could be indicated by e cessive
deflection leading to rainwater
ponding and thence dead load
increases and or water penetration.
he water ingress would lead to
corrosion of the plank reinforcement.
27/09/2023 12:09

PA IMAGES / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
An inspection of the planks from
the underside should note any visible
cracks (particularly near the end
supports), signs of water ingress, rust
staining or spalling. Where possible,
a small intrusive drill sample would
assist the confirmation of RAAC being
present, although the inherent softness
of RAAC may allow it to be identified
by surface testing only.
Mitigation or remedial
options
Once the presence of RAAC roof
planks has been established, a survey
is required to ensure that the building is
safe to remain in use. If it is confirmed
that the building is safe to continue
to be occupied, an inspection routine
should be put in place, as part of a
management strategy, to monitor the
possibility of defects occurring.
These inspections should initially
establish the reinforcement provision in
the planks (cover meter survey for main
reinforcement), the support conditions,
signs of corrosion, deflections, any
cracks and signs of water penetration.
Subsequent regular inspections
should check the deflections, ensure
that water can drain freely from the
roof with no ponding, check for
visual signs of cracks and any signs of
water penetration.
Temporary emergency measures
can be implemented where
RAAC planks within walls and
ceilings have deteriorated or have
structural weaknesses.
In one case, 27 metal supports
have been placed under the planks,
pp18-19 TSE_October23_ProfessionalGuidance.indd 19
Historical defects | No. 1 Professional guidance
Further guidance
Further guidance on the
identification of RAAC and on
mitigation and remedial measures is
available from the following sources:
| IStructE RAAC Study Group
www.istructe.org/get-involved/
study-groups/reinforced-
autoclaved-aerated-concrete-
planks/
| IStructE RAAC Study Group
(2022) Reinforced autoclaved
aerated concrete (RAAC)
panels: Investigation and
assessment www.istructe.org/
resources/guidance/reinforced-
autoclaved-aerated-concrete-
guidance/
| IStructE RAAC Study Group
(2023) Reinforced autoclaved
aerated concrete (RAAC)
investigation and assessment
– Further guidance www.
istructe.org/resources/guidance/
and the entire roof has been fitted with FIGURE 2: reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-
monitoring equipment to catch any New DfE guidance concrete-(raac)-inve/
saw many school
further deterioration or weakness in buildings closed or | CROSS theme page:
the planks. partially closed at start Structural safety of reinforced
In another instance, more than 200 of academic year autoclaved aerated concrete
supports have been put in place; while (RAAC) planks www.cross-
in another, a weight limit has been set safety.org/uk/safety-information/
on the floors due to concerns about the cross-theme-page/structural-
condition of the building’s RAAC planks. safety-reinforced-autoclaved-
The main remedial options are aerated-concrete-raac-planks
either to replace the roof planks with | CROSS-UK (2020) CROSS
new structural roofs or introduce Safety Report 908: Failure of
intermediate supports to the existing RAAC planks in schools
spans depending on the condition of www.cross-safety.org/uk/safety-
the RAAC planks to be supported. information/cross-safety-report/
failure-raac-planks-schools-
Hugh Docherty MA, MIStructE, 908?report=12756
MICE has extensive experience as | Department for Education
a structural designer and manager (2023) Reinforced autoclaved
of multidisciplinary design teams aerated concrete:
both in the UK (including the London identification guidance
Docklands regeneration zone) and www.gov.uk/government/
internationally: in Georgia, Romania, publications/reinforced-
Hungary and Poland. He also autoclaved-aerated-concrete-
provides ‘expert’ advice relating to estates-guidance
structural engineering matters. | Local Government
Association (2023)
Information on reinforced
REFERENCES autoclaved aerated concrete
(RAAC)
www.local.gov.uk/topics/
1) CROSS-UK (2019) CROSS Safety Alert: Failure of
housing-and-planning/
reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) planks
[Online] Available at: www.cross-safety.org/uk/safety- information-reinforced-
information/cross-safety-alert/failure-reinforced-autoclaved- autoclaved-aerated-concrete-
aerated-concrete-raac-planks (Accessed: September 2023) raac
| Institution of Structural
2) Department for Education (2023) Guidance for
Responsible Bodies and education settings with confirmed Engineers (2010) Appraisal of
RAAC in their buildings [Online] Available at: www.gov.uk/ existing structures (3rd ed.),
government/publications/reinforced-autoclaved-aerated- London: IStructE Ltd
concrete-guidance-for-responsible-bodies-and-education-
settings-with-confirmed-raac (Accessed: September 2023)
19
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
27/09/2023 12:09
 Professional guidance CROSS report
CROSS Safety Report
Failure of cantilevered
stone staircase
This month we present a report concerning the partial collapse of a cantilevered stone
staircase without warning during a renovation at a stately home built around 1830.
Abridged report
A reporter has provided details of a
partial collapse, without warning, of a
‘cantilevered’ stone staircase.
The collapse occurred during the
renovation and change-of-use
conversion of a former minor stately
home while the staircase was
subjected to pedestrian loading.
The property was constructed in
the 1830s as a private residence,
comprising traditional stone masonry,
typical of the era. Before the
refurbishment, the building remained
empty and unmaintained for a period
in excess of 15 years during which
time the building fabric deteriorated
largely due to the e ects of weather
and the absence of maintenance.
Rainwater had penetrated the fabric
of the building. Structural timber in the
building had su ered from wet rot and
the naturally porous limestone masonry
Key learning outcomes
For architects, designers,
structural engineers and
contractors dealing with stone
staircases:
| Surfaces and the bearings of
stone stairs should be closely
examined
| ‘Nosings’ or other repairs
should not be cut into existing
stone treads without careful
consideration of all e ects
| Avoid heavy impact loadings
to stone staircase treads
| Anything ‘old’ should be
treated with care and records
thoroughly researched
| Proceed with caution when
considering buildings that
have been poorly maintained
pp20-21 TSE_October23_ProfessionalGuidanceCROSS.indd 20
in the walls had become damp,
possibly to the point of saturation.
ignificant drying out of the damp
fabric was required.
The staircase consisted of stone
steps projecting out from the masonry
walls. The reporter says this type of
staircase is commonly referred to as
a ‘cantilevered’ staircase, appearing
to cantilever out from the wall, but in
practice, it is not a true cantilever. The
stability of each individual step relies
on the presence of the step below
for its principal vertical support while
the shallow embedment into the wall
resists the torsion induced in each step
from the pedestrians traversing the
stair. The reporter goes on to say that
the presence or absence of a rebate to
the lower front edge of each step also
determines how and to what extent
forces are transferred from one step to
the ne t through a stair flight.
During the collapse incident, four
steps of a flight of a staircase sheared
o at the face of the wall (Figure 1).
The trigger for the collapse appears to
have been the load of one pedestrian,
two people having traversed the
same steps moments before without  FIGURE 1: A hole wearing surface. The 40–50mm thick
incident. The four dislodged masonry in the staircase where slate nosing was set on a bed of what
four steps collapsed
steps and the person on the staircase onto the ight be ow appeared to be an epoxy-type mortar.
at the time fell onto the flight directly The reporter says the slate may have
below. This appears to have caused been an original construction detail
the immediate failure of six further but, equally, it may have been a later
steps of this lower flight. addition, introduced sometime after
The staircase was being used for the the original construction perhaps to
movement of personnel and lightweight address wear to the softer limestone
materials during the refurbishment treads. There were no records to
works. No excessive loading of the confirm when the slate was introduced.
stairs had been reported. Dry rot The reporter goes on to say that epoxy
filaments were, however, visible on the mortar may suggest that some work
fracture surface of the lowest of these was undertaken on the structure during
four steps. Figure 2 shows the fracture the mid-to-late 20th century but it was
of a step where it failed. The tread not possible to be more precise.
area and leading edge of each step he presence of the dry rot filament
was inset with a round-nosed slate growth across the fracture surface
20
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
27/09/2023 12:21

indicated that this fracture existed
for some time prior to the collapse.
This fracture surface and the ‘clean’
fractures of all the other failed steps,
were close to the face of the wall into
which the steps were built and are all
broadly coincident with the ends of the
cut-in slate. The rebate cut into each
limestone step to receive the wearing
slate, narrows the stone section and
creates a point of stress concentration
at the face of the wall in each step.
The reporter noted that prior to
the collapse, the existing fracture
would have been obscured by floor
coverings on two of the three faces
of the triangular step and therefore
di cult to identify. nly the underside
of the sloping so t would have been
visible; however, this would have been
the ‘closing’ side of any crack at the
fracture surface. It was possible that
there was little visible evidence to
indicate the pre-existing fracture.
Combination of events
The reporter concluded that it appears
likely that the staircase was weakened
by the fracture of one individual step. It
was clear that the group of four steps
in the upper flight collapsed under the
load of one person. The collapse was
perhaps due to a combination of the
reduced torsional capacity resulting
from the single fracture, the historical
introduction of the slate nosings, and
the impaired tensile strength due to
more recent wetting or saturation of the
masonry. our steps fell onto the flight
immediately below. Here, the sudden
impact load resulted in the fracture
of a further group of six steps which
then also fell to the floor. he partial
collapse of the staircase did result in
pp20-21 TSE_October23_ProfessionalGuidanceCROSS.indd 21
CROSS report
injuries requiring hospital treatment,
furthermore, the reporter considered
that the potential for life-changing or
fatal injuries was high.
Expert Panel comments
The reporter is to be congratulated for
presenting a very good assessment
of the likely cause of failure. As
demonstrated by the reporter,
working with existing buildings
re uires significant e perience. oth
designers and contractors must
understand what potential faults and
problems may be encountered. As
in this case, defects are very often
hidden and experience is required to
understand how these will impact the
building not only on completion of any
works but also during the process of
refurbishment. Where deterioration
has taken place additional care is
required. Understanding the type of
construction and the issues that may
be experienced is essential.
These stone staircases are a
marvel of building work which has
puzzled many as to how they stand
up. However, this report does
illustrate the risk of sudden and
catastrophic failure even to structures
that appear very stable and long-
lived. Despite a thorough survey, the
circumstances suggest the failure
could not have been foreseen. It
serves as a reminder to designers and
contractors to remain vigilant and to
always treat older structures with a
degree of circumspection.
The report highlights the need
for very detailed appraisals of such
staircases and indeed buildings
FIGURE 2: Section
through failed step at generally. The circumstances of
fracture position the building should be carefully
considered in planning inspections and
assessments. Clearly, buildings that
have been poorly maintained allowing
water and rot to enter the structure
are very likely to have hidden and
potentially very significant degradation.
The default assumption should be
that deterioration has taken place over
time. Unoccupied buildings may have
had less observation and intervention.
Anything ‘old’ should be treated with
care and records searched to see if
previous problems, existing problems
or indeed future problems can be
identified. uidance on many types
of potential failures and issues can
be found if research at the investigation
stage is thorough. Not all parts of a
structure are, of course, capable of
being visually inspected; intrusive
investigations may be required in
21
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Professional guidance
many areas. Other inspections and
testing will likely also be required.
Specialists experienced in the
assessment of existing structures can
add valuable insight.
As highlighted by the reporter, it
is clear that very close inspections
of stone stairways, particularly at
their supports, should be carried
out. The Conservation Compendium
series in The Structural Engineer
includes Part 5: Inspection and repair
of cantilever stone staircases which
includes information on how stone
‘cantilever’ stairs work, their inspection
and repair. Where stone staircase
treads are subject to a heavy impact
loading, inspection of the structure
would be prudent.
When old buildings move, there
is sometimes hard-to-predict
redistribution of loads. If walls and
stairs have moved or deteriorated,
such a structure may be subject to
redistribution of forces with forces
locked-in and hidden critical elements
created. Alterations may release
locked-in forces in unpredictable
ways leading to collapse. In some
cases, it may be prudent to provide
temporary works which will provide
support but not stress enough to
unlock locked-in forces. Alterations
in buildings generally (in this case
possibly the cutting in of nosings)
need to be approached with caution
such that the e ect of alterations on
structural capacity is understood.
This example reminds us that
the weak point in any structure will
generally be the connections – here
the wall junction and the tread
rebates; assessments of buildings
should ensure that connections
between structural elements are
carefully considered. Finally, and as
amply demonstrated in this example,
masonry fractures are brittle and any
brittle failure is likely always far more
hazardous than a ductile failure.
A further paper in The Structural
Engineer – Stone cantilevered
staircases, authored by Sam Prince
and Helen Rogers, provides more
in-depth background, history and
explanation of the mechanics of the
‘cantilevered’ staircase.
The full report, including links to
guidance mentioned, is available
on the CROSS website (report ID:
1147) at www.cross-safety.org/uk/
safety-information/cross-safety-
report/failure-cantilevered-stone-
staircase-1147.
27/09/2023 13:52
 Professional guidance Refurb: risk and insurance
Refurbishments of
existing structures:
risk and insurance
considerations
Sam Hiller of insurance broker, Gallagher, summarises the insurance challenges of
re rbishment pro ects that str ct ra engineers ma find it he p to be aware o
Introduction
For sustainability and environmental
reasons, government and industry are
increasingly encouraging developers
to refurbish and repurpose existing
buildings rather than demolish and
build anew.
In the UK, we saw this most recently
in July with Housing and Communities
Secretary Michael Gove’s decision
to stop Marks & Spencer’s plans to
demolish its flagship building on ford
Street in London, and previously
in March when the City of London
Corporation issued new guidance
making it increasingly di cult for
developers to demolish buildings, with
a strong preference for retaining them
where possible.
Insurance considerations
It is not often appreciated that there are
two distinct sectors of the insurance
market: construction and property.
Construction insurers’ core appetite
is insuring new-build projects, while
property insurers’ core appetite is
insuring existing operational buildings
that aren’t being worked upon.
Furthermore, construction insurers
treat new contract works and existing
retained structures separately.
Determining which sector of the
insurance market (construction,
property or a mixture/hybrid) will insure
a project that involves works in or to an
existing building can be complex and
depends on numerous factors such as:
| the contract value of the new works
| the reinstatement value of the
existing retained structure
pp22-23_TSE_October23_Insurance and reuse.indd 22
| the age, condition and listed status
of the existing building
| whether the new works are structural
and how extensive they are
| whether the existing building
will be occupied/operational during
the works.
As a rough guide, property
insurers will generally refuse to insure
contract works where the contract
value exceeds £5M (sometimes less)
so a ‘construction all risks’ (CAR)
policy will be required. Furthermore,
construction insurers will usually only
consider including existing buildings
on a CAR policy alongside the works if
the reinstatement value is similar to or
less than the value of the new works
and if the building is unoccupied during
the works.
Where a development involves
the refurbishment or extension of
an existing retained structure, the
standard JCT contract requires
the employer to insure both the
contract works for all risks and existing
structures for specified perils in oint
names with the contractor.
The standard JCT Design and
uild Contract defines these perils
as: fire, lightning, e plosion, storm,
flood, escape of water from any water
tank, apparatus, or pipe, earthquake,
aircraft and other aerial devices or
articles dropped therefrom, riot and
civil commotion’.
The use of this default contractual
provision needs careful consideration
depending on the insurance
programme design. A negotiation
22
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
will need to take place between the
employer and contractor, ideally as
early in the contracting process as
possible, because agreement will need
to be obtained from the insurers of the
existing structure.
Naturally, the contractor will want
to be insured (or given a waiver
of subrogation) from the existing
structure’s insurers, as this best
protects their interests. Conversely, the
existing structure’s insurers typically
prefer to retain subrogation rights
against the contractor and often refuse
the re uest in the first instance.
Due to the potential dispute around
the existing structures policy including
contractors, careful consideration
should be given to the third-party
liability risk. Making sure this is
correctly disclosed and negotiated with
liability insurers is crucial.
Furthermore, in the event of a loss,
it is the contract that will determine
the route of the claim, not the agreed
insurance position, so all parties’ legal
and insurance advisers should be
involved to ensure all project contracts
are drafted to reflect the agreed
insurance position.
As well as the construction
DEVELOPERS SHOULD
CARRY OUT EXTENSIVE
INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE
STRIP-OUT WORKS
COMMENCE
27/09/2023 13:55

and property insurances, early
consideration should be given to
latent defects insurance (LDI), which
is typically driven by tenants and
investors on large new-build schemes.
Due to the necessary technical audit
process which commences from the
beginning of construction (usually
piling commencement), obtaining LDI
on refurbishments can be significantly
challenging, depending on the type of
risk. This is because LDI is primarily
designed for new-builds.
The technical audit is deemed
essential by LDI insurers as it allows
them to provide input and advice
during construction in a bid to
minimise the risk of inherent defects
arising; securing LDI cover at practical
completion is dependent on a
successful audit. Clearly, for already
built structures, this is not possible, so
LDI is generally only potentially possible
on large, extensive refurbishments
where a significant amount of the
structure is being altered. However,
it is highly risk dependent and early
engagement with your insurance
broker is recommended.
Challenges
The appetite and cover available
for refurbishments has changed
significantly since , due to a
number of substantial high profile
losses, e.g. Glasgow School of Art ,
Mandarin Oriental hotel and Primark
Belfast3. This sector has been at
the leading edge of the hardening
insurance market.
There is also nervousness as
reinstatement following damage
can be slower than with new builds.
Understanding costs associated with
retrofitting modern services to old
infrastructure can also be di cult until a
loss, leading to higher claims.
Delays can occur due to the
discovery of asbestos, the need for
specialised trades with longer lead
times (e.g. stone masonry), and
perhaps issues around re-securing
planning permission. Listed structures
are especially out of appetite for
construction insurers, as demonstrated
in the recent example of Manchester
Town Hall4, which is significantly
delayed and over budget due to
discoveries being made about the true
condition of the existing structure.
Solutions
As refurbishment projects often fall
outside of an underwriter’s core
appetite, especially on a one o
pp22-23_TSE_October23_Insurance and reuse.indd 23
Refurb: risk and insurance
or bespoke basis, developers and
employers of refurbishment projects
should leverage their existing insurer
relationships as much as possible.
This should include engaging their
existing property insurers, and in
turn their construction underwriter
colleagues, to ensure there is as
much synergy as possible across
any construction, property or hybrid
insurance placement.
This is especially important
in a scenario where the existing
structure itself has to remain covered
in the property market and the new
works need to be covered in the
construction market.
Developers should also:
| consider the actual reinstatement
value of just the retained structures
that will form part of the new
development, i.e. post strip-out
and demolition
| carry out extensive investigations
before strip-out works commence
| provide a recent condition survey
of the existing structure, which will
ideally demonstrate that the existing
structures that will be retained are in
a very good condition and can more
than handle the new load and any
anticipated movement
| further to any concerns highlighted
in the condition survey, provide
details of the risk mitigations that will
be carried out to resolve or minimise
the risks
| provide details on how the risk of
damage to the existing retained
structures arising from works will be
mitigated, e.g. fire risk management
strategy, hot works procedures, fire
blankets, fire watch inspections.
23
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Professional guidance
MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL / OPEN GOVERNMENT LICENCE
 The project to
refurbish Manchester
Conclusion
Town Hall illustrates While cautiously optimistic, we don’t
the risk of discoveries anticipate that the insurance market
about a building’s
condition leading to
situation in the UK will improve in
increased costs and the short to medium term. However,
timeframes developers that engage specialist
insurance brokers early in their plans –
as they would a design consultant, etc.
– tend to put their best foot forward
when managing risk, seeking the best
possible coverage and securing the
most competitive terms.
Sam Hiller is a Partner in the
Construction Division of Gallagher
Specialty (www.ajg.com/gallagher-
specialty).
REFERENCES
1) Goyder B. (2018) asgow Schoo o Art fire to cost
insurers £100mn’, Insurance Insider [Online] Available at:
www.insuranceinsider.com/article/2876jg4pahn2fyhhhw3r4/
g asgow-schoo -o -art-fire-to-cost-ins rers- 00mn
(Accessed: September 2023)
2) Nimmo J. (2019) ‘Five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel in
London receives £50m from insurers after blaze in June last
year’, This is Money [Online] Available at: www.thisismoney.
co.uk/money/news/article-6894203/Five-star-Mandarin-
Oriental-Hotel-London-receives-50m-insurers-blaze-year.
html (Accessed: September 2023)
3) McHugh M. (2018) ‘£30m cost of replacing Primark
store destro ed b fire wi be co ered b ins rance
Irish Independent [Online] Available at: www.independent.
ie/business/irish/30m-cost-of-replacing-primark-store-
destro ed-b -fire-wi -be-co ered-b -ins rance 3 300 2
html (Accessed: September 2023)
4) Nicolson F. (2023) ‘Manchester Town Hall renovation
faces delays and budget hike’, Construction News [Online]
Available at: www.constructionnews.co.uk/buildings/
manchester-town-hall-renovation-faces-delays-and-
budget-hike-14-07-2023/ (Accessed: September 2023)
27/09/2023 14:05
 Project focus Battersea Power Station regeneration

Battersea Power Station

– regeneration
of an icon
JOHN STURROCK

Project team
Client Battersea
Power Station
Development
Company

Engineering Buro Happold

services

Construction Mace
manager

Lead architect WilkinsonEyre

Heritage Purcell
architect

Building Chapman BDSP

services
engineer

Project Turner &

manager Townsend

Temporary RKD
works designer

24
October
October 2023
2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
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pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 24 27/09/2023 12:23

 Battersea Power Station regeneration Project focus

Boiler house

Power Station A Power Station B

JUSTIN PHILLIPS
Project Principal & Partner, Buro Happold,
London, UK
Turbine Hall B
Turbine Hall A
FRANCK ROBERT
Project Director & Partner, Buro Happold,
London, UK

RACHEL MONTEITH
Project Lead – Ground Engineering & Director,
Buro Happold, London, UK

MICHAEL BROOKS
Project Lead – New Build & Director, Buro
Happold, London, UK

WILKINSONEYRE
SAM YOUDAN
Project Lead – Refurbishment & Director, Buro
Happold, London, UK

Introduction FIGURE 1: Ground- FIGURE 2: Section

The landmark Grade II* listed Battersea oor p an o attersea including iconic towers
Power Station
Power Station in London has been
sympathetically transformed from
a much-loved industrial relic into a
vibrant 21st century destination. The
redevelopment of the 2 500 00sq ft
building (approx. 230 000m2) was
carried out as Phase 2 of an eight-
phase, 42-acre regeneration of this
former brownfield site on the banks of
the River Thames.
This article presents a summary of the
substantial engineering work undertaken

to bring Battersea Power Station back
to life. An extremely technically and
logistically challenging project has been
redeveloped through a series of well-
thought-through, simple, yet elegant
and buildable solutions to preserve the
existing fabric, integrate it seamlessly
with the new, and give this icon a new
lease of life.
History
Battersea Power Station is situated
on the south bank of the River
Thames, within the London Borough
of Wandsworth. Originally marshland
and subsequently a water treatment
facility, its transition to a power station
commenced in the late 1920s (Box 1).
The London Power Company (LPC)
initiated the construction of Battersea
Power Station as its pioneering
large power plant following a 1925
parliamentary decision, garnering
significant contemporary attention.
Original construction details are well-
documented1–3, including noteworthy
papers in the Minutes of the Proceedings
of The Institution of Civil Engineers.
Box 1. Key milestones
The completed site comprises two 1929
distinct stations, Station A and Station B, 1935
built between 1929 and 1955 (Figures 1 1941
and 2). A central boiler house caters to 1955
each power station, featuring individual 1975
turbine halls (Turbine Hall A and Turbine 1983
Hall B) and switch houses (Switch House 2011
West and Switch House East). At both
ends of the turbine halls, pioneering gas
washing’ towers, the world’s first gas 2012
scrubbers, were installed, and these four 2017
wash towers provided support for the
iconic chimneys. 2021
Station A reached completion in 1935,
while the northern sector of Station
B, including the northeast chimney,
concluded in 1955 when the power 2022
station achieved full operational status.
The UK’s third-largest site at that time,
WILKINSONEYRE
Power station works start on site
Station A complete
Third chimney complete
Station B complete
Station A closes
Station B closes
New site masterplan gains resolution
to grant planning permission and listed
building consent
Power station purchased by current owners
Chimney replacement complete. Circus West
(Phase 1 of masterplan) complete
First residents moved into Switch House
West (Station A). Northern line extension
complete. Battersea Power Station
Underground station opened
Battersea Power Station opens to the public
for the first time in its history

25
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pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 25 27/09/2023 12:23

 Project focus Battersea Power Station regeneration
GETTY IMAGES
Battersea Power Station supplied
20% of London’s power demand while
supplying district heating for Pimlico
on the river’s north bank (Figure 3).
At its inauguration, it stood as the
world’s most thermally e cient power
station, embodying several pioneering
innovations such as the gas scrubbing.
Leonard Pearce, the LPC’s chief
engineer, led the power station’s
design, with notable contributions
from engineers H.N. Allott (until his
death in 1929) and T.P. O’Sullivan,
as well as architect Theo Halliday.
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, a prominent
architect, joined the project later to
address public concerns, suggesting
alterations such as transforming the
chimneys to a square brick design
akin to Bankside Power Station (the
home of Tate Modern). Although
a number of these suggestions
emerged too late in the process for
implementation, he was responsible for
the design of the external elevations
and the distinctive brickwork.
Decommissioned in 1975 (Station A)
and 1983 (Station B), the power station
received Grade II listed status in 1980,
later upgraded to Grade II* in 2007, a
distinction held by fewer than 6% of
listed structures.
The iconic structure proved
challenging to repurpose after
decommissioning and evolved into
London’s most iconic ruin (Figure 4).
Buro Happold’s involvement dates back
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 26
FIGURE 3: Power
station in operation in
1960s
FIGURE 4: Derelict
power station in
2000s following
decommissioning in
1980s
to the late 1990s, spanning various
ownerships, including the current
owners, a consortium of Malaysian
shareholders – PNB, Sime Darby
Property, S P Setia and the Employees’
Provident Fund.
Original construction
The power station is a steel-framed
building clad in a brick facade. The
internal floors were either clay pots
spanning between beams in Station A
or concrete slabs in Station B. The cast
in situ concrete chimneys sit atop the
steel-framed wash towers.
he internal finishes in the turbine
halls are generally terracotta faience
tiles positioned in front of brickwork.
Station A, from the 1930s, is a stunning
example of art deco grandeur, while the
1940s Station B is far more industrial.
he di erences between the two
stations extended to all aspects of
construction: Station A features heavier
26
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
BATTERSEA POWER STATTION DEVELOPMENTMENT COMPANY
BURO HAPPOLD
steel plated sections and moment
frames, whereas Station B typically
uses braced structural elements – either
frames or columns – to reduce the
overall steel weight, albeit resulting in
fewer open spaces between them.
The foundations of the power
station varied across the site. Station
A was generally founded on groups
of concrete piles, while Station B
was generally supported by large,
deep, pad foundations which were
referred to as elephant feet’. he final
southeast corner is founded on deeper
bored piles.
The ground conditions typically
comprise gravel, overlaying London
clay on top of the Lambeth group,
with the Thanet sands at approx. 70m
depth. However, this stretch of the
River Thames is geologically notable
for drift filled hollows associated with
the periglacial conditions of the last ice
age. These features have particularly
27/09/2023 12:23

ALAMY
steep sides and, at Battersea, extend
down through the London clay almost
to the Lambeth group. The drift
material in the hollows was found to be
predominantly granular with a cohesive
component, but the mass sti ness
was shown to be similar to that of the
London clay at the same level. The
resulting dramatic geological variations
presented challenges for the foundation
design across much of the power
station footprint.
2012 condition
When the project team mobilised
in 2012, the power station was in
a very poor condition. The majority
of the central boiler house had
been demolished in the 1980s as
part of enabling works for previously
failed schemes, with various elements
of temporary structures installed.
A key early design activity involved
understanding the history of these
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 27
Battersea Power Station regeneration
works and how they a ected the
overall condition and behaviour of
the structure.
Demolition work had started on other
areas, with Switch House West having
significant areas of floor removed and
steelwork added in the 1990s. The art
deco Turbine Hall A and Control Room
A – the jewel in the heritage crown
– remained largely intact along with
Control Room B.
In areas where the roofs remained in
place, the original building fabric was
generally in good condition. However,
where it had been exposed to the
elements for up to 30 years, there was
serious steel corrosion and associated
damage to masonry encasement. The
reinforcement in the concrete chimneys
was in especially poor condition and a
30m exclusion zone was imposed to
mitigate the risk of fist si ed lumps of
concrete causing harm if they became
dislodged.
Several steel girders directly below
the chimneys showed serious corrosion
due to the power station’s exhaust. In
one instance, a 7ft deep plate girder
was so badly damaged that a person
could walk through the space where the
web should have been.
Planning conditions and
preliminary works
Planning consent and listed planning
consent for the works was granted
in 2012. This included several conditions
and requirements that mandated
preliminary repair works to the power
station. Additionally, planning conditions
linked to these works were tied to the
development of the surrounding phases.
FIGURE 5: Original These repair works were imposed to
chimney in 1960s safeguard the remaining original building
fabric and to prevent a recurrence
of the fate of previous failed development
attempts, in which demolition
works were carried out without any
subsequent repairs or reconstruction
e orts. hese works primarily focused
on three main elements: the brickwork
facades, the wash tower structures, and
the iconic chimneys.
Main construction works
Often referred to as the ‘Everest
of real estate’, reflecting its scale
and complexity, the engineering
challenges for this project fall into two
broad categories:
| restoration and reuse of the original
building fabric (including the
preliminary works)
| main works: formation of a new
structure within the e isting, the bo
in bo approach.
27
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Project focus
Restoration and reuse of the original
building fabric
A key driver for the project was to
maximise the conservation of the
original fabric, especially since previous
failed regeneration attempts included
significant elements of demolition. his
encompassed repair and remediation
works to address years of exposure,
along with interventions to give the
building a new lease of life and to
ensure safety for future generations.
These interventions included repairing
the existing fabric, installing new
windows, justifying new loads, and
implementing upgrades to meet modern
code requirements.
Chimneys
The reinforced concrete chimneys
(Figure 5) typically consisted of a 6in.
(150mm) concrete windshield with a
2in. (50mm) protective tile on the inside
face, reducing to a concrete thickness
of 4in. (100mm) at the very highest
section. When the current owners
occupied the site, the chimneys were
showing serious signs of distress, with
many large cracks, loose concrete and
corroded reinforcement.
In the early 2000s, a Conservation
Steering Committee was formed to
determine the best way to address
the key heritage features of the power
station. This committee included the
London Borough of Wandsworth
(Wandsworth Council), Historic England
(formerly English Heritage), Buro
Happold, a number of trade contractors,
and other specialists. The forum allowed
all options to be explored and evaluated
and for agreement on ways forward to
be reached. In 2005, Historic England
and Wandsworth Council announced
that the chimneys would be dismantled
and replaced on a like for like basis.
The concrete chimneys are approx.
50m tall above the 50m wash towers.
Dismantling using hand tools allowed
debris to be removed safely by chutes
through the chimneys and wash towers
to ground level. The reconstruction of
e act replicas involved ft ump form
lifts to match the original construction
joints (Figures 6 and 7). The concrete
was placed using wheelbarrows taken
up using a service hoist. The chimneys
all vary in height to match the originals,
with approx. 300mm between the tallest
and shortest. The new 8in. (200mm)
concrete walls match the original
overall thickness because acid resistant
tiling was not required (Figure 8). The
contract for these works was placed
in September 2013 and the work was
completed in 2017.
27/09/2023 12:23
 Project focus Battersea Power Station regeneration

FIGURE 7:
Reconstruction
of chimney
FIGURE 6: under way
Details of chimney
reconstruction

BURO HAPPOLD
The reconstructed chimneys are used
FIGURE 8:
in the new scheme, with the concrete Interior view of
windshields of the northeast and reconstructed
chimney
southwest chimneys containing flues
from the two site-wide energy centres.
The northwest chimney contains Lift
109 (Figure 9), a unique glass elevator
experience which transports visitors
m to the top of the chimney o ering
360° views of the London skyline.
Battersea Power Station has been
home to a pair of peregrine falcons
since 2000. During the construction

BURO HAPPOLD
works, a temporary nest tower was built
for the Schedule 1 birds, which thrived
with chicks fledged over the year
BURO HAPPOLD

period. In 2022, the peregrine falcons

moved into their new home within the
power station’s northeast wash tower
(Figure 10).
External brickwork elevations
Although generally in relatively good
condition, there were areas where the
original e ternal brickwork had su ered
damage and needed significant repairs.
Alongside this, several existing window
openings had to be extended and
new openings formed. These included
reopening some original areas which had
been infilled during the operational life of
the building.
The original building was built in
three stages, and there are three
distinct pattens, or blends, of individual
bricks, which were provided from two
separate brickmakers: Northcot Brick
in Gloucestershire and Blockleys in
Shropshire. These brickmakers are still
in business, and they provided 1.75M
BURO HAPPOLD
repairs, preserving and celebrating
the streamlined aesthetic of this iconic
London landmark.
The original brickwork for the
elevations is a solid 1.5-brick thick
(approx. 350mm) make-up. There are
no movement joints in any of the original
fabric; with the building being approx.
150m × 150m on plan, this would be
unthinkable by modern standards, and
led to several issues, such as major
cracks developing around corners and
water ingress.
Extending the windows in the western
and eastern walls (Figure 11) involved
cutting through the original steelwork
and installing new steelwork in a planned
works sequence. Parts of the permanent
steel were used as temporary works
to save on carbon and simplify the

new bricks, a significant number of installation. odification to the brickwork

which were manufactured by hand to included incorporating ventilation
match the original methods. In total, into the new window reveals of the
18 individual brick types were used residential apartments, requiring local
in unique sizes to achieve seamless wall thickness reductions to a half-brick

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pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 28 27/09/2023 12:23


FIGURE 9:
JOSHUA ATKINS
New lift rises
out of northwest
chimne to o er
public views over
London
DAVID MORRISON
(approx. 100mm). The original brickwork
was exposed within the residential
apartments: no modern insulation
materials were added.
It was decided not to introduce
movement joints in the existing masonry
fabric; instead the brickwork was
strategically reinforced in key locations
to deal with the stress peaks and
to prevent new cracking. All these
interventions were ustified to ensure
compliance with modern standards
while respecting the building’s Grade II*
listed status.
A risk-based approach was devised
for the brickwork repairs to minimise
the impact on the original fabric.
Interventions were only undertaken
where there were visible signs of
distress, in high-level areas where regular
future access would be di cult, and
above areas with high public footfalls.
This strategy was developed to balance
capital versus operational expenditure,
the need for safe maintenance of the
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 29
Battersea Power Station regeneration
asset in future, heritage restoration, and
the risk profile of unrepaired original
fabric. The strategy was developed in
conjunction with all key stakeholders of
the Conservation Steering Committee.
Existing foundations
The redevelopment of the power station
building required the reintegration of
large sections of the original, potentially
fragile structure, which meant that the
existing foundations had to be reused.
The reused elements included large
deep pads, precast and bored piles,
and masonry retaining walls. The overall
foundation scheme was developed to
address the challenges of safely and
e ectively repurposing the structure.
New piles and retaining walls were
installed in and around the building, but
FIGURE 10: a significant proportion of the original
Northeast chimney foundation elements were reused.
includes nesting box
for resident peregrine The power station foundations
falcons largely predated the establishment
of geotechnical design principles,
so significant analytical work was
required to justify the new loadings.
The design of the new superstructure
involved both load increases and
reductions, which meant that load
increases had to be limited to the
allowable capacities evaluated,
while ensuring that stability was not
compromised through load reductions.
Reused foundations were necessarily
analysed on a case-by-case basis,
taking account of the specific aspects
for each. For example, although
there was minimal load change on
the relatively shallow wash tower
foundations, deep basements were to
be excavated immediately alongside at
both ends of the power station. These
had the potential to compromise the
stability of the wash tower.
29
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Project focus
The calculated lateral and vertical
displacements exceeded the desired
range, but sensitivity analyses were
carried out and the impact of the
relative displacements was evaluated
as acceptable with contingency
measures. Instrumentation was installed
throughout the structure to allow real-
time monitoring of movement. This was
continuously assessed and, with smaller
than predicted displacements, the works
progressed with confidence.
The client had an extensive drawing
archive for the building, which
provided good general information
on construction intent, but included
few ‘as-built’ records. Therefore, to
validate foundation reuse, a succession
of intrusive and non-intrusive
investigations was carried out, alongside
the ground investigations.
Investigation works for the piled
foundations focused on four aspects:
1) Geometric validation of dimensions
and precise locations of existing
elements: dimensional assessments
were made on a selection of
foundations to ensure a representative
assessment was carried out. Similarly,
checks were carried out on pile
groups to establish cap depth and the
numbers of piles to confirm that they
conformed with the existing records.
2) Long-term durability of materials
and corrosion risk associated with
aggressive ground or groundwater:
concrete cores were taken to assess
both physical and chemical properties
of existing piles, pile caps and pad
foundations. Chemical tests focused
on the overall composition of the
concrete, and physical testing was
BURO HAPPOLD/PAYE
FIGURE 11: External elevation of eastern wall,
showing extended windows
27/09/2023 12:23
 Project focus Battersea Power Station regeneration
used to determine strength, density
and degree of any carbonation.
Strength testing on cores from
the piles established an equivalent
concrete grade.
3) Structural integrity risks associated
with damaged piles or inherent
defects associated with the original
construction or subsequent
demolition and/or redevelopment:
the integrity of existing piles was
established by detailed examination of
representative piles. These included
both piles scheduled for incorporation
into the works and some which were
not required for reuse. The checks
included direct inspection, sonic echo
testing, and parallel seismic testing.
4) The capacity of the existing
piles was established by load
testing: piles were selected from
the existing piles not scheduled
for reuse and were progressively
loaded to failure to determine
ultimate capacities. Piles chosen
to be tested were founded in
di erent ground conditions across
the site to understand whether or
how the variations might a ect the
performance.
Existing steel frame
After visual inspection of each steel
element, it was found that almost all
the 6000 members of the frame could
be reused. Some were repaired or
strengthened, but the majority were
ustified in their current condition to
support the new loads.
This assessment of the steelwork was
refined as the design was developed,
including a careful assessment of the
original loading and visual condition
surveys of every single member. A
key part of this analysis for the original
BURO HAPPOLD
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 30
columns was to interrogate the 1909
London County Council Building
Code4 (the original design code) and
extract the key factors and criteria, which
enabled a modified buckling curve to be
plotted against the Eurocode. This meant
that only eight columns on the project
had to be strengthened, resulting in a
significant cost and programme saving
from original estimates.
The Turbine Hall A roof trusses
are a key feature of the building but
required strengthening to support new
landscaping loads. The original concrete
roof deck was replaced, and then every
truss was analysed separately with a
menu of strengthening requirements.
These included replacement of original
members with new members of the
same size but thicker sections to provide
more strength, replacement of original
rivets with modern dome-headed bolts,
over-plating of original gusset plates,
and the replacement of edge members
where corrosion was too severe. All
the steelwork was grit-blasted and
repainted, and all the works were carried
out from a series of temporary mobile
platforms that moved along the original
gantry crane rail.
Main works: formation of a new
structure within the existing
The new structure within the power
station follows a box-in-box strategy,
where the new frame had to restrain
several of the original building elements
while meeting modern standards. This
approach was adopted to prevent
overloading of the existing frame while
ma imising spatial e ciency and
optimising the structural intervention.
The new structures in both the switch
FIGURE 12: Transfer
trusses for boiler house houses and the boiler house are steel-
under construction framed with concrete floors. he new
30
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
frame within the boiler house contains
di erent usages stacked vertically: car
park, retail, o ce, and residential. Ideally,
these all re uire di erent column grids.
Through engineering optimisation, the
usages were achieved with only two
e cient transfer levels (Figure 12), one
of which doubles as a plantroom.
The project is extensive and there
are numerous significant e amples that
demonstrate engineering excellence
and innovation. The following sections
give a flavour of how the building design
requirements were met and the existing
building constraints were addressed.
Switch House West cantilever
To maximise residential area, an
ambitious 11m A-frame truss cantilever
(Figure 13) was developed over Control
Room A, the heritage jewel in the crown.
This required a considered construction
sequence and pre-setting strategy to
ensure that all agreed tolerances were
met. A jack was installed on each truss
from the outset, enabling individual
adjustment of each of the trusses.
North Atrium and trees
Two vast tree-shaped steel structures
each support a m m o ce
floorplate over eight storeys (Figure 14),
while also serving as architectural focal
points within the column-free atrium
(Figure 15). Digital technology played
a key role in designing and delivering
these elements. The architect’s
geometry generation, Buro Happold’s
computational capacity for complex
structural analysis, the steel contractor’s
I capabilities for e ectively reviewing
fabrication strategies, and the
construction manager’s model federation
and design management ensured the
success of these spectacular forms.
FIGURE 13:
A-frame truss
cantilever for Switch
House West
BURO HAPPOLD
27/09/2023 12:23

A
R
It was particularly important to
optimise the tree branches’ geometry
to limit second order e ects, and to
ensure that out-of-plane loads could
be directly transferred to the floor
plates at two levels, which ensured
the branches remained as slender
and elegant as possible. Equally
important was the connection between
the steel branches and the concrete
column. Exceptionally high loads
required use of a high-strength grout
throughout the connection interface. For
proof of concept, a one to one erspe
replica of the connection was made and
tested three times to ensure grout flow
into all areas.
One of the reasons for the tree
structures was to create column-free
space in the North Atrium. In addition
to the trees, this re uired several large
steel elements. A single, t, . m deep
beam spans m between the two wash
towers. Part of the logistics challenge
was installing the bearing elements for
A
R
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 31
Battersea Power Station regeneration
 FIGURE 14: Details this beam, which are t shaped steel
of tree structures in elements that sit within the historic wash
boiler house
tower brick and are supported by the
new 300mm thick liner wall.
South Atrium and bowstring trusses
The creation of the South Atrium
showcases the grandeur of the power
station, creating a sense of space and
allowing light to enter the o ce and
retail spaces. The narrow space called
for a light and transparent solution
and the team developed a bowstring
truss (Figure 16), with a key element
of its success being the installation
sequence and the transfer of the load
from the external historic temporary
work trusses to the delicate new
trusses. The lightness of the structure
meant that turnbuckles were limited,
and the whole system was adjustable
at only one location per vertical truss.
FIGURE 15: Interior This required an elaborate pre-setting
of North Atrium
showing supporting strategy with a highly controlled
tree structure sequence and hold points.
FIGURE 16:
Installation of
bowstring truss
in South Atrium
31
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Project focus
R
I
I
Level 05 transfer structure and steel
ground beams
The original structure comprised two
distinct power stations, constructed
in three phases. Despite its apparent
symmetry, several significant distinctions
existed within the building. A principal
alteration executed in the restoration
was the pursuit of symmetry in the
boiler house footprint above evel .
This initiative prompted the relocation
of the west wall appro . m westward,
generating an additional m
of floor space across the upper
levels. A substantial m cantilever
was established, supporting the
reconstructed west wall and facilitating
si levels of new o ce space. his
extension protruded from the roof of
urbine all A, a key heritage one within
the edifice. he cantilever was created
by e tending the evel transfer level,
enabling the seamless transfer of the
column grid to the retail grid below.
To both minimise the cantilever’s
27/09/2023 12:23
 Project focus Battersea Power Station regeneration
FIGURE 17: Design
of steel ground beam
BURO HAPPOLD
length and optimise retail space, the new
columns were positioned immediately
adjacent to the existing ones. The new
columns support 25MN of load, and
are located 50mm away for the original
columns, an integral part of the art
deco urbine all A and a significant
heritage element. here was insu cient
capacity in the original foundations,
so new foundations needed to be
provided; these clashed with the original
foundations, which had to be modified.
The original foundations comprised
a strut-and-tie pile cap supported
on 14 piles founded in the London
clay. Each new column is supported
on a steel ground beam (Figures 17
and 18), which cantilevers out over a
BURO HAPPOLD
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 32
compression pile, with the rear section of
the seesaw tied down by a tension pile.
The existing pile cap was analysed and it
was ustified that, with reduced loads, it
could be notched out to accommodate
the new ground beam.
The top of the original foundations
was at the new finished floor level, and
the depth of the nose of the cantilever
was limited, so the tolerances for
installation were incredibly tight. The
original foundations, new foundations
and steel ground beams all had
individual constraints, and therefore were
initially predicted to behave di erently.
he new steelwork was finetuned to
FIGURE 18: Steel
ground beam installed eliminate these di erences and achieve
on site a consistence response across all the
columns. However, this still resulted in a
di erential settlement between the two
columns, so the sequencing had to be
carefully planned.
In addition, this interface is 3m below
the water table and the constraints were
such that a bespoke waterproofing detail
had to be developed. Localise drainage
was installed to reduce the water
pressure, and two di erent products
were installed before the new system
was loaded with the new superstructure
dead loads. he oint was finally sealed
once the dead load settlement had
taken place.
External basement works
In addition to the power station itself,
the project team designed and built
extensive new basement areas around
the full perimeter and immediately
adjacent to the power station. These
areas were up to 12m deep and in
some locations undermined the original
structure. They were dealt with locally.
However, the bigger theoretical
challenge was dealing with movements
caused by the removal of overburden
pressure. Initial predictions were up to
32
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
BURO HAPPOLD
75mm horizontally and 50mm vertically,
caused by the movement of the power
station towards the large excavations
(Figure 19). However, analysis indicated
that overall stability of the structure
would not be a ected, and the biggest
concern was the potential damage that
these movements would cause to the
brittle original structure.
As a contingency, a series of fail-safe
elements were designed to be installed
if the movement did reach a critical
point. During construction, movements
were monitored through a series of
measures, including precise levelling,
movement monitoring, strain gauges,
and deployment of a team of seven full-
time Resident Engineers. All movements
were fed back into the modelling so
that the results could be recalibrated.
Recorded movements followed the
predicted pattern but with reduced
magnitude, aligning with expectations
due to the conservative assumptions
made during the modelling. Localised
repair was required in a number of areas;
however, the fail-safe measures did not
need to be activated.
Conclusion
This article has given an indication
of the engineering achievements –
always driven by constructability and
sustainability – required to bring the
iconic Battersea Power Station back
to life (Figure 20). The project sought
to maximise the preservation of the
existing fabric and solve highly complex
problems in an elegant and simple way.
The restoration of the power station,
along with the London Underground
Northern line extension, were the main
catalysts for regenerating the Nine Elms
district. Acting as chief place-maker,
the power station led the way for the
social, economic and environmental
transformation of the whole area. The
27/09/2023 13:57

regeneration project is creating a new
town centre for Wandsworth, with a
community of homes, shops, cafes,
o ces and over acres of public space.
Restoration and reuse
The reuse of the existing structures –
foundations, columns, beams slabs
led to a saving of over tC 2e
of legacy carbon, e uivalent to around
of the total embodied carbon in the
completed structure. he refurbishment
of the masonry for the e ternal
elevations led to an additional saving of
around tC 2e of legacy carbon,
and the internal brickwork additionally
saved a similar uantum.
ustainability considerations,
circular economy principles, and a
light touch approach drove the design,
coupled with the desire to preserve and
retain as much of the original building
fabric as possible.
Acknowledgements
housands of individuals have been
crucial to the success of this pro ect,
and it is not possible to name them
all, nor all the organisations they have
worked for. he authors would, however,
like to give special thanks to our client,
attersea ower tation evelopment
Company, and e tend their own
personal thanks to the following people
R
R
C AR I R
A
C
A I
R
A
R
A
pp24-33 TSE_October23_Project focus.indd 33
Battersea Power Station regeneration
FIGURE 19:
Movement was closely
from the uro appold tructural
monitored during ngineering eam who have made
works to protect brittle this such a special pro ect to work
original structure
on: ustin hillips, olf angelsdorf,
ayden uttall, Rob dwards,
regoire artin, A at atygulov,
atthew uckett, Adrian ri th
mith, ugues ernet, elina an,
im olomon, eter age, im elly,
ulian c arland, emma urner,
imon heeler, es ohnson,
Claudia eon ena, dmund etters,
homas ckhart.
33
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Project focus
REFERENCES
1) Berry C.S. and Dean A.C. (1935)
‘The constructional works of the
Battersea Power-Station of the
London Power Company, Limited’,
Min. Proc. ICE, 240 (1935), pp.
37–73; https://doi.org/10.1680/
imotp.1935.15232
2) Bartlett V.F. and Cadwell W.H.
(1935) ‘The coaling-jetty, circulating-
water system and cable-tunnels
at the Battersea Power-Station
of the London Power Company
Ltd,’ Min. Proc. ICE, 240 (1935),
pp. 74–95; https://doi.org/10.1680/
imotp.1935.15233
3) Anon. (1940) ‘Chimney at
Battersea Power Station’, Conc. &
Cons. Eng., 35 (2), pp. 92–93
4) London County Council
(General Powers) Act 1909. Part
IV. Amendments to the London
Building Acts 1894–1909 [Online]
Available at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
ukla/Edw7/9/130/contents/enacted
(Accessed: September 2023)
FIGURE 20: Restoration of
iconic structure has served as
catalyst for wider regeneration
of Nine Elms area
R
R
C AR I R
A
C
A I
R
A
R
A
27/09/2023 12:23
 Project focus Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney

Quay Quarter Tower,

Sydney – conservation,
life extension and upgrade
using live digital twinning
SYNOPSIS
This article describes the feasibility studies, investigations, analysis, structural health
onitorin di ita t innin and str ct ra ade ac erification o t e rep rposed
50-storey Quay Quarter Tower in Sydney, Australia.
The design life of the retained building was extended by 50 years with minimum structural
intervention. The adaptive reuse increased the net lettable area from 45 000m2 to 90 000m2.
The 45-year-old retained components provided structural integrity for the accelerated
constr ction pro ra e and o t e atera stren t and stiffness it ini
intervention for the upgraded building.
The digital twinning technology facilitated safe and speedy construction and conserved
12 079t of embodied carbon, with a carbon footprint for the gross internal area of
247kgCO2e/m2. The innovative engineering processes enabled the client, AMP, to achieve
its aspirations for a unique world-class commercial building using a comprehensive
approach to reducing embodied and operational carbon.

NIMAL J. PERERA Introduction stacked and rotating building blocks

BSc(Eng), CEng, FIStructE, FIE (Aust)
Principal Consultant, Kasina Consultants
Pty Ltd and Adjunct Professor, Queensland
University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
MURRAY MIDDLETON
BEng, GDip Mgt
Head of Development, AMP Capital,
Sydney, Australia
REZA HASSANI
BSc(Eng), MSc(Eng), PhD, MIE (Aust),
CPEng
Senior Associate – Structures, BG&E Pty Ltd,
Sydney, Australia
MARCO FICCA
BEng, FIE (Aust), CPEng, RPEQ, GAICD
Managing Director, ADG Engineers,
Brisbane, Australia
AMP Capital planned to upgrade the
operational energy e ciency and
optimum occupancy capacity of
Sydney’s Quay Quarter Tower (QQT) –
Australia’s tallest building on completion
in by grafting new o ce space
to the m tower to create a m service core.
tall hybrid tower (Figure 1). he pro ect
team accomplished what may be
considered unprecedented adaptive
reuse of a tall building by doubling its
original si e with a structural concept
design that retained the existing tower
as the backbone of the new building
(Figure 2). A unique digitally twinned
structural performance verification and
due diligence process was used to verify
the reused structure’s performance
during construction.
he design of the building is
described as more like a vertical village
than a m high rise o ce block’ by
the architects and includes urban green
space and about m of services,
food and retail outlets. he vertically
o er protection from direct sunlight
without electrically powered blinds on
the northern face, while ma imising
city and harbour views (Figure 3).
he double decker lifting strategy has
helped compress the footprint of the
Sustainability and embodied
carbon
tructural design for began in
, around the same time as the
aris Agreement on climate change
was signed. The regulatory transition
re uirements and design targets for
embodied carbon reductions were in
their evolutionary phase.
Initially, the pro ect’s greenhouse gas
reduction ob ectives were to:
| maximise reuse with minimum
structural rehabilitation
| minimise the embodied carbon
footprint of the hybrid building
aligned with the UN Sustainable
evelopment oals

34
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp34-41_TSE_October23_project focus_Quay Quarter Tower.indd 34 27/09/2023 12:24

 Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney Project focus

Project credits
Client AMP Capital
(AMP)

Structural BG&E Pty Ltd

engineer (BG&E) &
ADG Engineers
(ADG)

Structural Kasina
engineering Consultants Pty
adviser Ltd (KCPL)

Materials BG&E Pty Ltd

engineer (BG&E)

Principal Multiplex
contractor Construction

Architect 3XN Architects

(Denmark) &
BVN Architecture
(Australia)

Project Pier Property

manager Corporation (PPC)

MEP and ARUP

facade
engineer

Wind engineer CPP

| achieve low operational carbon
emissions consistent with the highest
commercial o ce standards.
When design commenced,
environmental product declarations
(EPDs) were unavailable for most
materials available for procurement in
the Australasian region. he accelerated
construction and early procurement
inhibited the procurement of structural
steel with low CO2 content from global
suppliers. he upgrade re uired
high performance concrete products.
The performance-based design
followed investigations and condition
assessments during construction.
Therefore, calculations using the
IStructE’s carbon calculation guide1,
the Structural Carbon Tool2 and the ICE
database3 were carried out retrospectively
to determine the embodied carbon
footprint and compare it with the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) carbon budget (Figure 4).
1) Method for calculating embodied
carbon conserved in reused
structure: 12 079t
| Concrete strength grades and
densities were obtained from testing
all components.
| Custom EPDs were developed using
published reference materials4,5,
historical use of concrete in Sydney
and concrete suppliers.
| Concrete volumes were from an
ETABS6 model.
Geotechnical o ey
engineer Geotechnics Ltd
| Reinforcement content was estimated FIGURE 1:
Cost WT Partnership
from the Rankine & Hill (R&H) design Transformation of
Quay Quarter Tower consultant Project Team
for the original tower, and CO2 and Circular Quay
content was from s for e uivalent Precinct
steel grades.
2) Method for calculating embodied 2022 and outperformed the preconceived
carbon in new construction: conservation targets. An integrated
247kgCO2e/m2 GIA technology-enabled process for structural
| Concrete volumes were from the ade uacy and performance verification
ETABS model, and CO2 content was maximised the reuse of the existing
from supplier oral’s s. structure. he structural engineering on
| Reinforcement ratios were as QQT for reusing tall buildings near the
specified by structural engineers, and end of their design life demonstrated
the CO2 content was from an EPD that there is a path to achieving net-zero
published by Infra uild. carbon targets by .
| Structural steel, post-tensioning
strand, and profiled decking content Structural concept
were obtained from bills of uantities. In 2015, AMP recognised its vision’s
CO2 rates were from the ICE unprecedented engineering challenge
database for welded pipes, fabricated and embarked on a diligent process
sections and steel plates. lobal to select a structural concept design
FIGURE 2:
averages in the Structural Carbon Transformation of compatible with its development
Tool were used for open, rolled and existing building ob ectives. Alternative proposals were
closed sections.
| Major demolition CO2 calculations
were based on custom EPDs
developed for the e isting structure.
The building services were upgraded
to achieve a star reen tar rating, .
A R nergy rating and old
Certification, with a high performance
facade, building geometry and external
shading contributing to a 30% reduction
in radiation, energy e ciency and thermal
comfort of occupants.
The QQT project was completed in

35
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 Project focus Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney
considered, and AMP’s preferred
structural concept design was submitted
by ADG Engineers (ADG).
The concept developed by ADG
comprised a monolithic structure with
a hybrid core, floor diaphragms, and
moment-resisting frames to resist gravity,
wind and earth uake induced actions.
The new extension is a lightweight
composite steel frame with a high
strength-to-weight ratio for reducing
gravity-induced overturning. Wind
actions doubled due to the extended
facades of the new building profile.
The design forces induced by gravity
and wind in the existing concrete core
exceeded the 1976 R&H design’s
structural capacity. The proposed new
high-performance buttressing extension
formed a hybrid with the existing core to
resist the increased forces (Figure 5).
The interactive long-term performance
of the hybrid core was essential for this
concept to be viable. ADG produced
a finite element model ( A ) to
simulate the elastic response and
time dependent creep and shrinkage
deformation through 24 stages of partial
demolition and construction to validate
its proposed concept design. Kasina
Consultants Pty Ltd (KCPL) carried out
an independent review of ADG’s concept
to establish its feasibility and provided
recommendations for implementation.
The hybrid core provided movement
control during the accelerated top-down
demolition and bottom-up construction
FIGURE 4: Carbon footprint comparison with IPCC chart and new-build
FIGURE 5: ttressed core and e tended oor p ate
pp34-41_TSE_October23_project focus_Quay Quarter Tower.indd 36
 FIGURE 3: envisaged by the project manager,
Outlook complementing Pier Property Corporation (PPC)
location and workspace
connectivity (Figures 6–8).
Design development
ADG and BG&E Pty Ltd (BG&E)
jointly developed and coordinated the
structural design for early contractor
involvement and a design-and-
construct (D&C) tender in 2017.
KCPL’s independent review
of the concept design identified
material competence and service
life degradation of the existing
structure as significant risks. he
core was vulnerable to unrepairable
damage and could become unsafe
during construction.
Current Australian design practice
has robustness provisions aligned
with practice, earth uake design
requirements, and reinforcement
detailing changes brought in after the
ewcastle earth uake. As a
result, compliance with the National
Construction Code 2016 (NCC)7 required
performance solutions based on
fundamental principles with reference to
ASCE 418, FEMA 3579, and ACI 31810 to
supplement Australian standards.
The KCPL review recommended:
| rigorous condition assessment to
verify in situ concrete properties
using a combination of core samples
and non-intrusive tests
| instrumented structural health
monitoring during demolition and
construction to capture dynamic
characteristics and detect damage.
36
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
The structural performance of the
design was investigated with analytical
and sensitivity studies using the original
R&H design and drawings, topographic
surveys, the frequency response of the
existing structure, minimal concrete
testing, and wind tunnel studies.
he final non linear staged
construction analysis in ETABS by
BG&E sequentially simulated the 1976
construction, top-down demolition, and
accelerated construction in a 35-stage
procedure. The 45-year-old, 185m
tall, reused structure was predicted
by analysis to oscillate 245mm due to
changes in gravity loads and a further
370mm due to wind actions during
construction (Figure 9). i erential
elastic shortening, shrinkage and creep
between new and old concrete imposed
additional strain and stress on the
retained core.
The latent material strength of
concrete was essential for performance-
based structural design verification of
reused structures to comply with the
requirements of NCC.
The construction needed to progress
parallel with rigorous condition
assessment, structural adequacy
verification and rehabilitation. he pro ect
required a safe and diligent procedure to
complete unimpeded construction. The
primary objective was to maximise the
conservation of the reused structure with
minimum intervention.
Detailed design and
construction
Multiplex commenced partial demolition
27/09/2023 12:24

and construction in 2018, with BG&E as
structural design and materials engineers
for the D&C phase.
During construction, AMP’s
superintendent, PPC, KCPL, BG&E
and Multiplex conducted workshops
that reviewed condition assessment,
materials testing, analysis, design
solutions, and due diligence reports.
The team collaboratively evolved a
digitally twinned simulation process
using the ETABS model updated with
live data as the enabling technology for
maximum conservation, carbon footprint
reduction, construction risk mitigation
during accelerated construction, and
cost optimisation. It combined rigorous
condition assessment, structural health
monitoring, instrumented dynamic
data capture, model updating, and due
diligence. BG&E collaborated with the
wind engineer, CPP, and the University of
Western Sydney to capture and process
data from wireless accelerometers
installed at four levels for three
fundamental modes of building vibration
(Figure 10).
The comprehensive due diligence
procedure enabled the construction
to proceed without disruption or
delays due to safety concerns, major
rectification or strengthening.
Data acquisition for digital
twinning
Real-time data for the simulation was
captured using tilt sensors, surface-
mounted strain gauges, accelerometers
pp34-41_TSE_October23_project focus_Quay Quarter Tower.indd 37
Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney
FIGURE 8: and precise surveying. Tha data included:
ottom- p | base-level settlement
construction to L10
d ring demo ition | core and column verticality
and constr ction | axial shortening of columns
above L10 | di erential a ial shortening between
core and columns
| di erential movement across new and
retained structures
| deflection and rotation of floor plates
| floor diaphragm elongation
| accelerometer readings for building
frequency and mode shapes for three
fundamental modes.
Digital twinning methodology
Live digitally twinned simulation is
distinctly di erent from familiar building
information modelling (BIM) visualisation,
as the sensors provide a real-time
dynamic response of the structure
FIGURE 6:
Sca o ding and for comparison with predictions.
construction above L45 Digital twinning was conceived as
FIGURE 7:
op-down demo ition
37
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Project focus
an achievable solution based on
the successful implementation of
instrumented data capture for structural
health monitoring at the Queensland
University of Technology (Nguyen et al.)11
and model updating (Kodikara et al.)12.
The 185m tall retained structure was
included in the A finite element
model for staged construction analysis
commencing in 1976.
The natural frequencies and
modal coe cients from processed
sensor output and latent concrete
characteristics captured from testing
(Figure 11) updated the digitally twinned
ETABS model.
ourteen five level incremental
construction stages in the model were
updated during the 26 months between
demolition to L40 in April 2019 and
construction of L50 in June 2021.
The movements and tolerances
27/09/2023 13:58
 Project focus Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney
FIGURE 9: Gravity and wind-induced building movements
report prepared for the pro ect specified
acceptable tolerances based on
Australian Standards for design and
construction. The movement of two
east and west perimeter columns
was measured, and their positional
variation was verified. he accuracy
of the measured data was ±10mm
and theoretical data had a tolerance
limit of ±15mm or ±25%. The average
displacements computed using actual
(measured), initial and calibrated ETABS
models for two columns on the east and
west faces compared and correlated
building movements at 14 monitoring
stages for model updating (Figure 12).
Figure 13 shows the comparison for the
critical north–south direction.
Stresses, strains, forces and
deformations for deterministic verification
of the structural performance at
the 14 stages were generated by
the digitally twinned ETABS model.
Live structural health monitoring
and structural ade uacy verification
pp34-41_TSE_October23_project focus_Quay Quarter Tower.indd 38
were the barometers of performance
and safety during construction. This
allowed sensitivity studies and rigorous
verification of performance based
solutions to progress in parallel.
KCPL, in collaboration with the
University of Southern Queensland
(Nguyen et al.)11, provided a design for a
structural health monitoring system for
asset management and maintenance of
QQT during its design life. The system
is designed to install sensors and data
acquisition hardware at seven levels over
the height of the building. The cabling
was coordinated, integrated with building
services infrastructure, and installed
by Multiplex in collaboration with PPC,
CPP and ARUP (MEP engineer). The
structural health monitoring system,
combined with the ETABS model and
as built structural records, is the digital
platform for the operation, maintenance
and future repurposing of QQT.
Materials testing, condition
assessment and structural
ade ac erification
Condition assessment of the existing
building, comprising materials testing
and defects inspection, was conducted
by BG&E’s materials and construction
engineers. This included:
| a three stage dilapidation assessment
before and after demolition and at the
end of construction
| five stage concrete core sampling
and laboratory testing for core
walls, columns, beams, slabs,
FIGURE 10:
Construction stage
instrumentation for
structural health
monitoring and
measurement of
building movement
FIGURE 11:
Summary of cylinder
strength and Schmidt
hammer testing for
columns and walls
with cross-calibration
between intrusive and
non-intrusive testing
38
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
retaining walls, foundations, and
beam–column junctions for concrete
strength and density
| calibrated Schmidt hammer testing
of core walls, columns, and beam–
column junctions for consistency of
strength grades
| drilling for column void inspection
| carbonation, chloride and sulphate
ingress testing for the durability of
core walls, columns, beams, slabs
and retaining walls
| cover meeting mapping, inspection
during demolition, and at breakout
locations for reinforcement spacing,
sizes, concrete cover, detailing, lap
lengths, and compliance with the
fire rating
| tensile strength testing of
reinforcement samples.
The reused building’s durability and
e tended year design life were
determined from testing for chlorides
and carbonation, measurement of
thickness and cover, exploratory
inspection, and visual observation
of demolished components. Local
mean strength test results were used
to verify the structural adequacy of
highly stressed columns and core
wall components. Concrete testing,
model updating, iterative analysis
and performance based capacity
evaluation significantly reduced the
need for reconstruction, remediation
and retrofitting of core walls and
coupling beams.
27/09/2023 12:24
 Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney Project focus

The initial ETABS model contained

concrete properties from R&H drawings,
where lightweight concrete was specified
for the concrete core from L12 to the roof.
Concrete testing showed that normal-
weight concrete was used except for two
levels. Eighteen strength grade zones
replaced the five R specifications as
latent concrete properties of the dominant
structural core.
The comprehensive condition
assessment, including sampling,
laboratory testing, intrusive and
non-intrusive scanning, and structural
integrity verifications, took over
months. It commenced after the
vacation of the building by tenants
for construction in and included
up to 1600 concrete cylinder tests,
with 50% of samples cored from the
existing structure. FIGURE 12: re enc comparison o fie d-meas red A S ca ibrated A S initia or stages and norma ised moda
disp acements with estimated mode shape at Stage 0
Due diligence and
per or ance erification
The due diligence procedure used
digitally enabled technology and
monitoring for performance-based
design. The live process helped
eliminate speculative assumptions
with adequate time to investigate
material characteristics (concrete
strengths, elastic moduli, densities)
and the retained structure’s condition
and structural adequacy. The precise
surveying and monitoring provided
confidence in structural performance.
Building oscillations at each stage of
measurement and evaluation showed
FIGURE 13: omparison o north so th a erage b i ding mo ements at east and west co mns
that the building performed better
than the predictions. The maximum
oscillations of the building were due
to gravity-induced forces, and the
dominant serviceability wind was from
south to north.
he ma imum limits for di erential
axial shortening between columns
were specified in a movements and
tolerances’ report and preset for
compensation during construction.
he A analysis uantified the
new core’s elastic shrinkage, creep
shortening, deflection and forces. A
dowelled vertical pour strip separated
the new and existing core walls across
the construction joint to articulate
di erential shrinkage and creep
(Figure 14). efore oining the floor
diaphragms, the dowels distributed
lateral forces between the new and
retained structure. Two thousand
chemical anchors were installed across
the construction joint in the core.
Column and core datum levels
were captured at five floor intervals
to monitor di erential a ial shortening
(Figures 15 and 16). he access floor FIGURE 14: ower co mn and core di erentia a ia shortening and oor p ate ti t

39
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 Project focus Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney
installed to accommodate workstation
services has a limited tolerance for
variation of slab levels. A pour strip
was introduced between new and
existing to mitigate the impact of
elastic and shrinkage shortening in
the service core.
ridging floor plates were used
across the construction joint due
to di erential a ial shortening
between new and existing columns
(Figure 17). The mitigation measures
adopted were delayed bridging
slab construction, level presetting
of temporarily braced freestanding
columns, concrete properties, and
reinforcement design.
pp34-41_TSE_October23_project focus_Quay Quarter Tower.indd 40
Robustness and redundancy
A robust tension tie system with an
alternative load path for redundancy
was re uired to resist significant tension
forces at slope changes of the north-
leaning tower columns (Figure 18).
Tension ties at these locations were
designed as key elements to satisfy the
robustness requirements of NCC 2016.
Construction
The D&C contract was tendered at
50% design development in early
2017 for early contractor involvement.
he partial demolition of floor plates,
materials testing and dilapidation studies
commenced in early 2018 when tenants
40
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
FIGURE 17: vacated the building. Maximum reuse of
Bridging structure existing structure and the accelerated
and bracing for
freestanding columns construction sequence saved 13 months
in the construction programme for
targeted completion in April 2022.
A highly collaborative and resilient
team approach was required to integrate
condition assessment, structural
ade uacy verification, performance
monitoring, reporting and reviews
during construction. The digital twinning
and due diligence process required
knowledge capture, dissemination
and proactive problem-solving from
commencement to completion of
construction by the entire team.
Simultaneous and accelerated
construction was provided with logistical
FIGURE 15: support from five tower cranes, nine
Monitoring results for
new tower column external hoists, and 12 internal lifts for
TC14 shortening materials handling, temporary works,
during construction and personnel transport. Approximately
1000t of temporary steelwork in
formwork support trusses, shoring, jump
structure bracing, loading platforms,
sca olding, and crane ties were used for
the construction activities. The temporary
steel was returned for recycled use on
other projects, consistent with customary
practice in Australia.
The existing facade was removed with
full height sca olding, followed by top
down demolition and construction of the
new structure above L45.
Below groundworks commenced
FIGURE 16:
with partial demolition and construction
Monitoring results for of the temporarily braced podium and
existing tower column tower slabs on the north face. The core
EXC32 shortening
during construction
extension was built by penetrating the
e isting floor plates below .
The shifting geometry with 25m
cantilever floors re uired reusable
prefabricated temporary truss
modules weighing 10t craned into
position (Figure 19). They provided
edge protection and access for floor
construction and facade erection.
The north tower jumpstart bridged
over L10 for demolition and construction
of floor plates. was the crossover
level for top-down and bottom-up
FIGURE 18: activities. The temporarily braced jump
Tower column slope
transition and robust structure supported the L10 deck, which
tension tie system was tied back to the existing structure.
27/09/2023 12:24

he typical floor to floor height
of the building was mm,
re uiring services through the floor
beams of the new building to match
the floor height. olted column splices
were concealed within the concrete
topping slab (Figure 20). All beam
connections and splices were designed
for bolted connections.
Construction of commenced
in anuary , and the interactive
process continued until substantial
structural frame completion in .
nowledge capture, dissemination
and proactive problem solving by
the C and superintending teams
continued throughout construction. It
contributed to completing the pro ect
on schedule despite the disruptive
workplace health and safety issues
during the Covid outbreak.
Conclusion
he pro ect demonstrated
that rigorous engineering processes
applied from design inception to
construction completion could overcome
unprecedented engineering challenges
associated with reusing tall buildings
near the end of their design life. here
were significant commercial benefits
from reusing the e isting structure, as
well as conservation value, a carbon
footprint reduction and a year design
life e tension.
he commercial benefits comprised
savings of over by retaining
the e isting structure and a further
from the month reduction
in construction time compared with all
new construction.
he owner developer, A , recognised
the engineering challenges during planning
and design and invested in technology
enabled engineering and the due diligence
processes. he innovative use of live digital
twinning, structural health monitoring,
updating of the analysis model and
performance verification to overcome the
challenges of reusing an e isting building
was a uni ue engineering e perience.
pp34-41_TSE_October23_project focus_Quay Quarter Tower.indd 41
Quay Quarter Tower, Sydney Project focus
 FIGURE 19:
REFERENCES
Temporary cantilever
truss support for
rotating structure
1) Gibbons O.P. and Orr J.J. (2020) How 8) American Society of Civil Engineers
to calculate embodied carbon (1st ed.), (2017) ASCE 41-17: Seismic Evaluation
London: IStructE Ltd and Retrofit o isting Buildings,
2) Elliott Wood (2021) The Structural
Reston, VA: ASCE; https://doi.
org/10.1061/9780784414859
Carbon Tool, v.1-1, London: IStructE Ltd
9) Federal Emergency Management
3) Circular Ecology (2019) ICE Database
Agency (2000) FEMA 357: Global
Machine Readable, V3.0 Beta – 10
Topics Report on the Prestandard
Nov 2019 [Online] Available at: https://
and ommentar or the eismic
circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-
Rehabilitation o Buildings, Washington,
footprint-database.html (Accessed:
DC: FEMA
September 2023)
4) Ryan W.G. (1968) ‘The production
10) American Concrete Institute
FIGURE 20: (2019) ACI 318-19: Building Code
Composite frame and properties of lightweight structural
Re uirements or tructural oncrete,
and oor p ate concrete in Australia’, Proc. First
Farmington Hills, MI: ACI
construction International Congress on Lightweight
Concrete, London: Cement and 11) Nguyen T., Chan T.H.T.,
Concrete Association Thambiratnam D.P. and King L.
(2015) e e opment o a cost-e ecti e
5) Stigter J. (1968) wo fi t -store
and e ib e ibration A s stem
buildings in Australia built with
for long-term continuous structural
lightweight concrete’, Proc. First
health monitoring’ , Mech. Syst.
International Congress on Lightweight
Signal Process., 64–65, pp.
Concrete, London: Cement and
313–324; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
Concrete Association
ymssp.2015.04.003
6) CSI (2023) ETABS building analysis
12) Kodikara K.A.T.L., Chan T.H.T.,
and design [Online] Available at: www.
Nguyen T. and Thambiratnam
csiamerica.com/products/etabs
D.P. (2016) ‘Model updating of real
(Accessed: September 2023)
structures with ambient vibration
7) Australian Building Codes Board data’, J. Civil Struct. Health Monit., 6,
(2016) National Construction Code pp. 329–341; https://doi.org/10.1007/
2016, Canberra: ABCB s13349-016-0178-3
41
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27/09/2023 12:24
 Opinion Teaching reuse of structures

pp42-45 TSE_October23_View point.indd 42 27/09/2023 12:37


Viewpoint
Teaching ‘reuse’
principles at university
Jon Carr and Richard Harpin describe a new module at The niversity of She eld
responding to the trend for extending the life of existing buildings.
Introduction
Many practising structural engineers already
work on existing buildings or structures,
despite this topic not being covered in detail
at university. Our response to the climate
emergency also means that reusing existing
buildings and structures will almost certainly
become an increasingly important part of what
engineers do in the future.
In recognition of this, the University of
he eld set up a credit Reuse of e isting
structures’ module for final year ng
students in September 2022. This article
discusses our approach and experience of
introducing this module.
different indset
Although the underlying principles remain
the same, working with existing structures
re uires a di erent mindset to designing
new structures. For a new structure, the
structural engineer, in conjunction with the
design team, has the luxury of being able to
select the load paths and structural materials,
FIGURE 1: Canada
AR
o se She e d
– Grade II* listed
building of traditional
construction dating
from 1870s
pp42-45 TSE_October23_View point.indd 43
but for an existing structure, the load
paths and structural materials have already
been determined.
Furthermore, it can reasonably be expected
that a new structure will be built in accordance
with the design intent, but an existing structure
may have been altered over time (potentially
changing load paths), while the condition of
the fabric may have deteriorated. Only when
all these factors have been investigated
and understood can new interventions be
approached with confidence. ven then, the
engineer must consider not only the behaviour
of the structure in its final state, but also at
every stage of construction.
Module overview
he credit, week module is led by
two senior university teachers, who have
significant industry e perience of working
with existing structures, and who deliver the
core content. This includes the philosophy of
working with existing buildings, a brief history
of building construction, the inspection and
FIGURE 2: Broad
ane b i ding She e d
– in situ reinforced
concrete-framed
building constructed
in early 1950s
43
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
Teaching reuse of structures Opinion
appraisal process, and testing procedures
(with e tensive references to the I truct
publication Appraisal of existing structures ).
Appropriate calculations are also covered,
building on previous modules for steel,
concrete and timber, with masonry being
introduced for the first time.
Guest lectures, by academic experts and
practising engineers, address various aspects
of working with existing structures. These
include talks on vertical extensions, embodied
carbon, reuse of masonry arch bridges, asset
management, as well as the architectural and
building services considerations associated
with existing buildings.
Site visits to the two buildings used for the
coursework (Figures 1 and 2), and other
existing structures or buildings which have
already been converted for reuse (Figure 3),
help students learn how to translate lecture
material and apply theory to real structures,
including the development of skills in how
to read’, investigate and analyse e isting
buildings and structures.
I
R I
I
AR I ,
RIC AR
27/09/2023 12:37
 Opinion Teaching reuse of structures

Table 1: Lecture topics

GCA CONSULTING ENGINEERS

FIGURE 3: Museum of
Week(s) Lecture topic (3 hours per week) Making, Derby – widely
regarded as wor d s first
factory, this silk mill has
1 Overview of module
recently been skilfully
Making the case for reuse of an existing structure converted to museum
Presentation of brief
2 Appraisal of existing structures
Sources of information
Inspections
3 History of building design and construction
4 Reuse of existing masonry bridges
Managing infrastructure assets
5 Material properties, defects and testing
6 Calculations on existing structural elements
Strengthening techniques
7 Vertical extensions
Architectural considerations

8 Building services considerations

Case studies
‘Existing building’ career opportunities
9–12 Independent study time for group coursework

Each student is expected to spend a more diverse range of material and resources able to:
total of 10 hours per week on this module, which students will hopefully find helpful after 1) assess/interrogate a real-world design brief
which typically comprises a combination of graduation, once working in industry. for the reuse of an existing building, in order
lectures (Table 1), tutorials and independent to identify the key (structural engineering)
working (during which students focus on their Intended learning outcomes challenges and opportunities
assignment). Online discussion boards are The overall aim of this module is to help 2) develop a strategy to assess/analyse the
used for asking questions in-between tutorials. students develop an ability to assess existing existing building or structure, and obtain
buildings (in terms of their materials, condition any necessary information to develop a
Learning and teaching theory/ and structural behaviour), in order to develop (structural engineering) solution
practice sustainable solutions which extend the life 3) produce and critically evaluate a range
The learning and teaching approach is based of buildings, thereby addressing some of the of potential solutions, with an emphasis
around Fox’s ‘travelling theory’2, as well as the climate challenges which society is currently on structural engineering and sustainability
‘constructive alignment’ approach3 developed facing. This translates to the following set of considerations
by John Biggs, an Australian academic. intended learning outcomes. 4) select, develop and present details of their
‘Travelling theory’ is ideal for open-ended By the end of the module, students will be preferred solution.
academic exercises, with students as
‘explorers’ who discover the subject with the
help of teachers who act as ‘expert guides’ to
lead the way. CELINE TAN, UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
The ‘constructive alignment’ approach
starts with the intended learning outcomes,
aligning teaching and assessment to those
outcomes. Hence, learning is constructed by
what activities the students carry out, and is
therefore about what students do, not about
what we teachers do. Likewise, assessment is
about how well students achieve the intended
outcomes, not about how well they report
back what they have been told or what they
have read.
That said, we don’t just provide the lecture
material and resources which are required for
the coursework. The intention is to provide a

FIGURE 4: Cross-section through Grade II* listed

building, showing proposed vertical extension and load
paths, as well as typical construction details

44
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp42-45 TSE_October23_View point.indd 44 27/09/2023 12:26


Assessment
The module is assessed by group coursework.
Typically working in groups of six, students
are asked to develop proposals for a vertical
extension to an existing building, with a
choice between a Grade II* listed Victorian
loadbearing masonry structure with jack arch
floors and a s reinforced concrete frame
(with original drawings for both buildings made
available to students), as shown in Figs. 1
and 2 respectively.
In addition to producing a concept design
and construction sequence for the extension,
students provide an appraisal of the existing
structure, with recommendations for any testing
required, as well as identifying load paths and
calculations to justify critical elements.
Students are also required to produce
(and critically assess) construction methods/
sequences and embodied carbon calculations
(ideally including a calculation to determine
the amount of embodied carbon saved in
comparison with demolishing the existing
building and constructing an equivalent building
from new).
In hindsight, adding a vertical extension to
a Grade II* listed building with a pitched roof
was somewhat unrealistic, and an alternative
building might be used in future.
Output
Each group’s proposals were presented in
the form of a nominally page long report,
which included associated calculations and
drawings. Extracts from two sample drawings
for di erent buildings are provided in Figures
4 and 5. (It should be noted that the sketches
shown in Fig. 5 were accompanied by
extensive annotation, including residual hazard
information, in the actual submission.)
Feedback and results of
satisfaction survey
he module proved very popular, with
of the student cohort choosing it,
Box 1. Student feedback on module
‘I found this topic very interesting, and
I also like how the content is extremely
important in the field of sustainability.
Having this module feels like an asset to
talk about in job applications.’
‘I like the topic covered in this module, and
how we were able to visit the buildings that
the project was based on.’
‘The module is really relevant to the current
issues in the built environment. Up to
now, I’ve only learnt about designing new
structures, so it was really helpful and
pp42-45 TSE_October23_View point.indd 45
Teaching reuse of structures Opinion
JOSEPH CURRY, UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD
FIGURE 5: Extract from
construction sequence
storyboard for proposed
vertical extension to
Grade II* listed building
FIGURE 6: Module
satisfaction survey
(overview)
which is very encouraging for the first year Acknowledgements
of an optional module. At the time of writing, With thanks to GCA Consulting Engineers,
of the cohort have signed up he eld usic Academy, erby useums,
for the module. and Arup’s he eld o ce.
The quality of the work submitted
was excellent, suggesting a high level of
engagement. Jon Carr
Student feedback was very positive BEng(Hons), MPhil, CEng, FIStructE, FHEA
overall (Figure 6) and a representative
Jon Carr is a Senior University Teacher at The
sample of text comments is presented
niversity of She eld and rincipal, on arr
in Box 1.
Structural esign.
Richard Harpin
BEng(Hons), CEng, MIStructE
Richard arpin is a Senior niversity Teacher at
The niversity of She eld.
interesting to learn about how we can
repurpose and retrofit existing structures.’ REFERENCES
‘I liked the variety of lectures and the
inclusion of guest speakers. I think it is a 1) Institution of Structural Engineers Task
module unlike any other, and is crucial to Group (2010) Appraisal of existing structures
take before going into practice.’ (3rd ed.), London: IStructE Ltd
2) Fox D. (1983) ‘Personal theories of
I am glad there is finally a module on this teaching’, Stud. High. Educ., 8 (2), pp. 151–
topic as it is very important in industry 163; http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0307507831
to meet carbon goals. I liked the guest 2331379014
lectures and especially liked the site visit, as 3) Biggs J. (1996) ‘Enhancing teaching
well as the tutorial sessions where guests through constructive alignment’, High.
from industry were invited.’ Educ., 32, pp. 347–364; https://doi.
org/10.1007/BF00138871
45
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023
27/09/2023 12:26
 Opinion Profile
This year’s Gold Medallist, Albert Williamson-Taylor, talks
to Helena Russell about his passion for the fundamentals of
engineering and why he’s not afraid to be controversial.
When AKT II co-founder Albert
Williamson-Taylor was told that the
president of the IStructE wanted to
talk to him, his immediate reaction was
ba ement and a mild curiosity. o I
didn’t respond. A month later, he finally
caught me on the phone early in the
morning,’ he says.
Matt Byatt revealed that the IStructE
intended to award him its prestigious
Gold Medal – unexpected news to a man
who rarely grants interviews and steers
clear of committees.
I thought that the award had to be
linked to a particular project, such as
having designed an amazing bridge,
or being good with glass, which was
to some e tent the issue for me. ut
after reading the citation, I saw that it
was more to do with the process of my
CR
pp46-49 TSE_October23_Opinion Profile_Albert Williamson-Taylor.indd 46
Albert
Williamson-Taylor
thinking and how I approach engineering,’
he says.
I was also aware that the I truct is
changing, it’s becoming more dynamic
and relevant. I felt things were moving
in the right direction, and that it was
important to be a part of that process.’
All the same, accepting the honour
left him with a conundrum. illiamson
Taylor acknowledges that he often feels
estranged from the established industry,
and was worried that his address might
ru e feathers. ut having recently been
appointed the first president of pen City,
and as a trustee for the African Futures
FIGURE 1:
The unique twisting Institute (AFI), it seems he is ready to step
form of the Generali up his public profile.
Tower in Milan by Zaha
Hadid Architects was
realised by Williamson- Overcoming prejudice
Taylor’s AKT II team It’s hard to imagine Williamson-Taylor
in conflict with anyone, given his open
demeanour and softly spoken delivery.
But it is accompanied by a razor-sharp
clarity and confidence that some might
find disarming.
Conflict, and the need to develop
strategies and the tenacity to deal with it,
is a recurring theme for illiamson aylor.
A lifetime of battles or inconveniences’
as he prefers to call them – has led to
this. sing design and innovation to
make things better is a passion of mine,’
he says.
His passion for structural engineering
was piqued at an early age, traced back
to a single encounter in agos, igeria.
Despite studying the appropriate courses
in London, where Williamson-Taylor was
born, his father’s ambition to become
an architect in the 1950s was dealt a
painful blow when, as a black person,
his application would not be considered
by RI A. Instead, he pursued a career
in surveying, taking his family back to
Nigeria, and subsequently Sierra Leone,
to use his skills in the newly independent
est African countries.
But with exceptional sketching ability,
his father was still in demand among
46
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org
his network of architect contacts. ne
day, Williamson-Taylor, aged 14, was
waiting in a drawing o ce for his dad to
finish a meeting, when his attention was
drawn to an imposing figure, seated at
a huge drawing board raised up on a
stage. e e plained that he was doing a
reinforcement drawing and that he knew
exactly what every line was, where it
was, and what it was doing. I thought to
myself, he must be the cleverest guy on
the planet! And that was it, I wanted to be
an engineer, I wanted to be like him.’
Williamson-Taylor laughs as he
recalls thinking it would be easy. e had
exceptional maths skills but learned to
read very, very late’, eventually being
diagnosed as dysle ic at university.
But the academic challenges were
secondary; he was up against the racism
of 1970s Britain, and the associated
pigeon-holing of someone of his
background and colour. ith a est
African chools Certificate instead of
conventional A-levels, his only option was
to study for an rdinary ational iploma;
a ualification not seen as a pathway to
a university degree, rather a prelude to
vocational study at a polytechnic.
He was discouraged but applied
anyway. I got ust a single o er from
radford niversity, and the grade
demanded was exceptionally high,
making it seem that they didn’t really
want me,’ he recalls. hen his hard graft
was rewarded, they had to take him, but
he describes his e perience there as a
battle from day one’; there were only two
other black people on the course, and
half the department wanted me out’.
Luckily, two of his tutors were also
hugely supportive and committed to
keeping him there. hreats were real for
young black men at that time, and his
discovery of the martial art of taekwondo
– in which he excelled, establishing a
large club at the university – proved
helpful as a form of self defence.
He still had to contend with tutors
who refused to mark his coursework
fairly, and even had to find his own
placement for his third year, rejecting
the university’s suggestion he skip the
industry experience and aim for a BSc
rather than a ng. After graduation, he
27/09/2023 12:27
 Profile Opinion

AKT II
CAREER
MILESTONES
1978 OND in building
construction from
Brunel Technical
College, Bristol
1982 ng in civil
structural engineering
from niversity of
Bradford
1983 c in structural
engineering from
niversity of radford
1983 tarted work at ohn
regory Associates
1987 oined rice yers
1989 oined Anthony
Hunt Associates
1996 ounded Adams
ara aylor
(now AKT II) with
Hanif Kara and
Robin Adams
2008 ecame a ellow
of I truct
2009 Awarded honorary
fellowship of RIBA
2021 Appointed a trustee
remained at radford as one of ust five Acting unilaterally to follow his instinct  FIGURE 2: of pen City
Williamson-Taylor has
students on the university’s first aster’s didn’t win him any favours either 2022 Appointed a
worked on major projects
course in structural engineering. ‘It was particularly the time he recalls when a in London, including trustee of African
one of the best courses I ever did; I new detail proposed for a glass facade innovative vertical utures Institute
extensions for Supreme
learned the fundamentals of analysis and and roof had been deemed too risky by 2023 Appointed
Award for Structural
programming and so on,’ he says. his boss, despite the client being keen. Engineering Excellence inaugural president
hile his boss was on leave, illiamson 2022 winner HYLO of pen City
Standing up for his beliefs aylor designed, detailed and tested (below) and Southbank
Tower (above)
These programming skills came to the the element, worked with the supplier
fore in his first ob, at a small structural and put it out to tender by the time
engineering firm in edford where he his boss got back from holiday it was
cut his teeth the only company out all sewn up. e recalls being strongly
of to reply to his ob applications. reprimanded, but the structure got built,
Computers were just starting to be and the innovation was well received by
used in design o ces, and any analysis the industry.
was a long winded iterative process of ‘To be honest, these were all
parameters faxed to Arup, run through inconveniences,’ he says. y focus was
the program and error messages always on the engineering how do we
faxed back for correction, all for a fee. push the boundaries ’
illiamson aylor spent every evening oving on to oin ony unt’s practice,
coding, and created a viable program that he was in his element. veryone was so
could carry out simple sti ness analysis passionate about engineering, and they
in house. were doing some ama ing pro ects,’ he
is subse uent move, to rice says. ony unt was a mentor to me, he
yers in ondon, was the start of a very uickly had me doing competitions
di cult period. his time the battle was with him. I took on the projects that no
more about his engineering approach – one else wanted to do, such as East
something he feels he still has to defend Croydon tation with its huge gla ed
at times – and he found little support. canopies and sloping ramps. I was given
he issue is that I know my free rein to pursue projects and make
engineering and I won’t back down,’ them work.’
he says firmly. or me, the pro ect is
paramount I’m uite happy to challenge Blazing a trail
the client, the architect, everyone. hen In the late s, unt’s practice oined
I’m presented with a brief that has no with R and the landscape changed
AKT II

logic, I question it. But that sometimes again for illiamson aylor, who decided
makes waves,’ he admits. to start his own company. It took a former

47
thestructuralengineer.org | October 2023

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 Opinion Profile

FIGURE 3: such challenges – specifying acrylic and

The ‘hedgehog’
aluminium for the spikes of the dramatic
CR

style facade of
Heatherwick’s Expo ‘hedgehog’ facade created a diplomatic
Pavilion 2010 in issue as they weren’t approved for
Shanghai created a
diplomatic issue for
structural use in China.
Williamson-Taylor illiamson aylor is stubborn in the
face of demands that he cannot put a
logic to, his mantra being that engineering
principles should never be subservient to
codes. ‘The codes are a check and are
not for establishing design principles.’
He is also forthright in his belief that if
senior engineers (‘myself included’) are
not willing to defend this position and
pursue innovation, they should retire
and let younger engineers take over. He
sees an urgent need for mentoring and
support for mid-career engineers, whom
he believes are being ‘stamped on and
suppressed’ by those who insist that
design should be driven by codes.
‘Young people come up with great
ideas, and are the ones who are going
to help us solve the challenges we are
facing such as climate change.’ He is
excited that AI will help, freeing engineers
from mundane tasks and give them
greater opportunities.

pandin ori ons

colleague to point out that he would
be blazing a trail. ‘I looked around and
realised there was not a single black-led
engineering practice in the country, and
only two architectural practices. I thought,
OK, this is going to be a challenge!’
He and colleagues Hanif Kara and
Robin Adams deliberately established a
practice with a diverse leadership, making
it di cult for them to be pigeonholed.
Adams Kara Taylor, now known as AKT
II, was established in the mid-90s at the
height of a recession. ‘That’s when you
find out who your friends are,’ illiamson
Taylor remarks wryly.
His contacts came through and
he quickly picked up three projects,
including a successful competition entry
with architect Ray Hole to design the
Rainforest House for Hanover Expo
in Germany. Around the same time,
the Eden Project was in development,
initially proposed with glass for the huge
biome domes. The Rainforest House
innovated with PTFE, which is not only
lighter, it admits rays and o ers some
insulation, and this was subsequently
picked up by the Eden Project, he recalls.
Another early success was the
renovation of the National Gallery in
ublin, where illiamson aylor designed
a hydraulic lift that was hung from the roof
of the existing structure, to eliminate the
need to blast rock for foundations.
The practice’s strategy of employing
Architectural Association students to
assist with research brought them into
contact with Zaha Hadid, and led to a
number of successful collaborations on
her complex projects (Figure 1).
Inno atin ro first
princip es
y his own admission, illiamson aylor
‘could write a book’ about the 130+
projects he’s worked on worldwide
(Figure 2), and the arguments he’s had
about engineering, such as proposing
aluminium rather than steel for a huge
staircase on the Britannia oil rig in the
North Sea, where the maintenance
benefits of the material were at risk of
being derailed by the insurer’s demands.
ven high profile pro ects such as
Thomas Heatherwick’s Expo 2010
Pavilion (Figure 3) were not immune to
His role as trustee for the AFI allows
him to share his experience of the
international built environment with
professionals in Africa, helping them
deal with the local challenges they face,
and demand better contextualisation
of projects in their own countries. The
institute organises talks and educational
events in Africa, and this year took part in
the Venice Biennale.
As a ritish est African I am very
disappointed when I go overseas and see
buildings designed by lazy architects and
engineers that are badly interpreted or
not fit for purpose, simply because they
have not been analysed in context. Local
engineers are just as annoyed and upset,
and history has put them in a place where
they lack e posure and confidence to
address it.’
hat’s more, a lot can be learned
from the African engineers in terms
of techniques such as rammed
earth, he says. e haven’t tried to
understand how they do it and we
haven’t tried to help them improve it and
codify the process.’
In his new role as president of the
Open City charity, he hopes to shake up
the industry and get design firms, clients
and developers to recognise – ideally
with financial support the huge potential
the charity has for raising the profile of
their schemes and making the profession
attractive to young people. ‘I want
to expand the stewardship nationally
WATCH
ALBERT’S and persuade the industry to fund an
GOLD MEDAL organisation that’s actually advertising
ADDRESS their buildings!’ he says.

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 Challenging the status quo Opinion

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 Opinion Letters

Verulam
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
Readers’ letters, comments and queries publishing department.

few people will have experience of

RAAC and so how anyone will have The feedback from CROSS members
‘one year’s experience of RAAC’ is a worldwide is that balconies are often
mystery. As to the second task, that troublesome and readers are well
should only be entrusted to Chartered advised to read the CROSS reports
engineers. (Readers are reminded that (and to contribute their own
IStructE advice is available at www. experience).
istructe.org/resources/news/istructe-
statement-reinforced-autoclaved-
aerated-c). Feel for
the
Reusing numbers
structural steel SEAN HANLON
HENRY DALTON Nice take on the ‘over-reliance on
Thanks to Richard Eastwood for software’ problem we’re seeing in the
his helpful comments in Verulam industry by Kate Wise (September
(September 2023). 2023). The early engagement she talks

RAAC surveys: My view is that old steelwork

how much
experience?
IAN RICHARDS
Like many other members we
have received various phone calls
and emails from schools asking
us to give fees and availability for
reinforced autoclaved aerated
concrete (RAAC) surveys.
One school gave us an extract
from the government’s advice on
RAAC (Stage 1b – above). Fortunately,
my colleague who is due to attend
fulfils all the criteria.
However, I noticed a
may be reasonably assessed using,
about only comes about if you’re able
to engineer without software though, to
for example, the British Constructional
Steelwork Association’s Historical
think on your feet and have the detail
in mind when you’re talking about
Structural Steelwork Handbook
whether it remains in situ and is
something. y first boss called this a
feel for the numbers’.
subject to extra loads or if it is
removed and used elsewhere.
The insurer’s view that the latter The concern about inappropriate
attracts more liability than the former use of software is not Luddite. Many
is unreasonable. engineers have soundly based
concerns and CROSS has many
scary examples.
It does seem unreasonable. If the
steel is removed, at least its cross-
section can e erified as ree or not
from corrosion.
CROSS:
Challenging the status quo Opinion

significant imbalance between the

required experience for a surveyor corrosion of Viewpoint

cantilevers
and an engineer.
The surveyor only requires three
Are you ready
years’ post-degree experience
to challenge the
plus one year’s experience of I am grateful to CROSS for providing status quo?
RAAC. Membership of RICS is not a forum for discussing such matters
Wise, and seek
It’s time for engineers to take a more proactive approach, argues Kate
to o er early input and advice to clients.

essential. Whereas the engineer
(CROSS Safety Report, September As engineers, we have become a very
reactive profession: we react to the
client’s brief, the architect’s designs, the
clients about their needs; they get involved
in the acquisition of sites, understand
that buildings are assets, and might even
a concern that innovation is too risky, and
we put simplicity of fabrication ahead of the
economics of the design.

should be MIStructE or MICE (which
2023). Many years ago, my mother was
introduce those assets to their clients. Shockingly, research by the Minimising
site constraints, the price of steel and Energy in Construction project and a survey
the requirements of the contractor. We sit These insights I describe are such things
as mitigating risks, explaining how the of our behaviours (www.meicon.net/)
and we wait for questions, drawings, sites. found that we cautiously and deliberately
But why do we sit and wait? This hasn’t building structure might work, looking at
overdesign. By our own admission, we

is, in general, considerably more living in a former Ministry of Defence

always been the way – if we look back in
time, engineers have led key transformations
in civilisation.
Is it a concern about risk? Do we think
whether a bridge can be altered to improve
access, whether a building can be extended
or walls altered, how a detail might work,
whether a material is right for a project.
decrease how utilised our structure is in
design models to accommodate error within
the construction process.
Or is it a way of covering for our own

than three years of post-degree block of flats in ampshire when

that if we are proactive in our discussions,
our suggestions, our emails, our sketches,
we will commit ourselves to doing more than
our brief? Spending all our fee before the
All these actions take time, which costs
money. But if our advice becomes more
valued by our peers and clients, then surely
they would be willing to pay more money for
potential errors? Or a lack of understanding
on our part of how the software works and
where the design criteria we are applying to

experience) and must have wider cantilevering walkway balconies dropped

project really begins? But what if that project
never happens? What if it gets cancelled?
What if it is over budget and gets delayed?
These are valid concerns that we all know
our input.
Our profession has been in a status
quo for some time; repetition has become
the norm in a process increasingly geared
the structure originate?
This kind of behaviour is recognised
by the wider industry. We respond with
the quip, ‘You wouldn’t want an under-
engineered design’. Who would want to

experience than a surveyor. o the side of the building. he engineer

can a ect pro ects. ome might say that
these concerns are all the greater when they
occur during the project, where contractual
agreements bind us to the task at hand. If
towards the digital world. The impact of
the digitisation of our profession is gradual,
simply because digital technology has
filtered down slowly into the construction
engage with a profession that deliberately
spends more money and has an adverse
impact on the climate?
Engineers can be – and need to be – so

involved refused to respond to any of

we just do our due diligence or are more
proactive in shaping the project at the
beginning, before we are in contract and,
dare I say it, before a means of payment is
industry as a whole.
With repetition comes complacency:
habits are formed; we choose the easiest
path. The result is that we form our own
much more. Our early input and advice can
save clients money and reduce embodied
carbon. The progression of the digital
revolution enables us to be more e cient

my numerous letters on the matter. It

agreed, then maybe we can actually take
more control and influence the brief.
Our insights are often undervalued. We
are not approached with any regularity until
rules, some of which become codes
of practice, some of which remain as and requires us to challenge the status quo
and determine what our profession needs
nuggets of knowledge that we pass down
to those we mentor. If we can’t shift from to be.
the norm, our profession will falter; digital

This is indeed frustrating. There will
is important that such problems are
a pro ect brief is fully defined, budgets set
and, indeed, teams formed. Then there
are the small number of engineers that are
ahead of the game; they are aligned before
transformation will steadily replace the
process an engineer follows.
Engineers say to each other that there will Kate Wise
always be a need for our skills, that each

flagged up and made public so that

MEng, CEng, FIStructE, MICE

be two tasks: one of identifying RAAC

a design competition is even announced;
they have got the best architects on board.
These engineers tend to be those that
are taking that proactive approach; they
project is bespoke. But, as a profession,
there is a lack of engagement with the
industry. Our input is not valued, our role is
not understood by the wider public, there is
Kate Wise is an engineer, designer and thinker,
based in ales and working all across the .
She is the founder of Static ynamic.

in t e first p ace and second they can be addressed before the

put time aside to sit down and talk to

43

fi rin o t at ris it poses er structure collapses.

42 thestructuralengineer.org | September 2023
September 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

25/08/2023 10:33
v2.indd 43
pp40-43 TSE_September23_Opinion Profile_Cameron Archer-Jones

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 Letters Opinion

Circular economy
and reuse: guidance
for designers
This publication comprises four parts, and
provides actionable guidance for incorporating
circular principles on engineering projects;
enabling structural engineers to take the
initiative on this critical transition by leading
clients and project teams through the process.

Available now:
istructe.org/resources/guidance/circular-economy

21446_circular_economy_HP.indd 1 17/07/2023 3:01 pm

Reusing existing buildings conference

7 December 2023
Institution of Structural Engineers HQ
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Structural engineers play a critical role in Programme topics:

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51
thestructuralengineer.org | September 2023

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 t t e ac Diary dates

Most events run by IStructE

HQ are being delivered online.
For in-person events, a
location will be given.
History Study Group meetings

Diary dates
start at 18:00 and are free of
charge to attend. Registration
is not typically required.
Meetings may be online or in
person.
For Regional Group events,
check the website for the
latest information. Note that more current information may be available from
the Institution website: www.istructe.org/events

10 November and Colin Rose 24 October

Structural Awards 2023 Time: 12:00–13:00 at itt e o d ec o aco stics and
Time: 18:30–00:00 Venue: Online designing for musical tone
Venue: The Brewery, London EC1Y 4SD Price: Member: £45 + VAT; Standard: £70 + VAT Speaker: Fiona Smyth
Price (early booking): Individual: £245 + VAT Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/using- Time: 18:00–20:30
(£205 + VAT); Table of 8: £1835 + VAT (£1535 + next-generation-timber Venue: The Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross
VAT) Street, London EC1M 6EL and online
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ 31 October Price: Free
structural-awards-2023 Novel materials: structural glass and Register: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/
composites auditoria-and-structure-over-the-last-2-centuries
CONFERENCES Speakers: James Norman, Liesbeth Tromp and
19 October Mariska van der Velden 7 November
Structural engineers declare summit 2023 Time: 12:00–13:00 i din t e cana a e
Speakers: Yasmin Becker, Marika Gabbianelli, Venue: Online Speaker: Mike Chrimes
Gary Elliott, Penny Gowler, Tom Howarth, Diego Price: Member: £45 + VAT; Standard: £70 + VAT Time: 18:00–20:30
Padilla-Phillips, Iva Munro, Paul Astle, Steve Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Venue: The Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross
Webb, Will Arnold, David Watson and more structural-glass-frps Street, London EC1M 6EL and online
Time: 12:30–18:45 Price: Free
Venue: IStructE HQ and online 29 November Register: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/
Price: Free Using duplex stainless steel building-the-canal-age
Register: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Speakers: Tim Collins, Nancy Baddoo and
sed2023 Graham Gedge CPD COURSES
Time: 12:00–13:00 5 October
7 December Venue: Online rocode t e essentia s o ti er desi n
Reusing existing buildings conference Price: Member: £45 + VAT; Standard: £70 + VAT Tutor: Keerthi Ranasinghe
Speakers: Rick Lee, Grace de Benedetto, Claire Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/using- Time: 10:00–17:30
Young and more duplex-stainless-steel Venue: Online
Time: 09:30–17:30 Price: Member: £305 + VAT; Standard: £425 +
Venue: IStructE HQ and online VAT
Price (early booking): Student (online): £35 + SPONSORED WEBINAR Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/
VAT; Student (in person): £55 + VAT; Member eurocode-5-the-essentials-of-timber-design-(1)
(online): £195 + VAT (£175 + VAT); Member (in 24 October
person): £235 + VAT (£215 + VAT); Standard i in po er to sers it as s 6 October
(online): £285 + VAT (£255 + VAT); Standard (in Speakers: Peter Debney, Angela Hu and i er or s op desi n t ro or ed
person): £325 + VAT (£295 + VAT) Aditya Tiwari examples
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Time: 15:30–16:30 Tutor: Keerthi Ranasinghe
events-reusing-existing-buildings Venue: Online Time: 10:00–17:30
Price: Free Venue: Online
WORKSHOP Register: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Price: Member: £305 + VAT; Standard: £425 +
10 October giving-power-to-users-with-oasys-gsa VAT
certification or s op Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/
Speakers: Mark Lawler and Robert Storey timber-workshop-design-through-worked-
Time: 09:45–16:00 HISTORY STUDY GROUP examples
Venue: Online 10 October
Price: £150 + VAT istenin to or ers ora istories o post 10 October
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ser- war construction Eurocode 6: masonry design
certification-workshop-online Speaker: Christine Wall Tutor: John Roberts
Time: 18:00–20:30 Time: 10:00–17:30
WEBINARS Venue: The Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross Venue: Online
10 October Street, London EC1M 6EL and online Price: Member: £305 + VAT; Standard: £425 +
Novel materials: using next-generation Price: Free VAT
timber Register: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/
Speakers: James Norman, Ishan Abeysekera memory-and-oral-history-in-engineering eurocode-6-masonry-design-(3)

52
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 Diary dates At the back

10–11 October
Understanding structural design CHESTER AND NORTH WALES SINGAPORE
Tutor: Mark Roberts
Time: 10:00–17:30 5 October 25 October
Venue: Online A533 expressway replacement bridge Members’ appreciation night
Price: Member: £535 + VAT; Standard: £745 + Speakers: Kareem Abusmeihah, Rebecca Brown Time: 19:00–23:30
VAT and Chris Buckley Venue: Sentosa Golf Club, Tanjong Room, Level
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Time: 18:00 3, 27 Bukit Manis Road, 099892
understanding-structural-design Venue: Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel, Price: S$150
Whitchurch Road, Chester CH3 5QL Register: https forms.o ce.com r
12 October Price: Free gQsMENN170
Deep basements Register: www.istructe.org/events/chester-
Tutors: Christina Mavrommati and Sivilay north-wales/a533-expressway-replacement- SURREY
Sayavong bridge
Time: 10:00–17:30 13 November
Venue: Online MIDLAND COUNTIES tr ct ra fi in s i din s ea est in
Price: Member: £305 + VAT; Standard: £425 + Speaker: Chris Shaw
VAT 19 October Time: 18:00
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Sustainability Open Spaces Venue: Lecture Theatre M, University of Surrey,
deep-basements Speaker: Gary Corden Guildford GU2 7XH
Time: 18:00 Price: Free
17 October Venue: Cornerblock, Two Cornwall Street, Register: www.istructe.org/events/surrey/
Protect your designs – a practical guide to Birmingham B3 2DX structural-fixings-a-buildings-weakest-link
intellectual property Price: From £42 + VAT
Tutor: Rob Langley Contact: Gary Corden WESTERN COUNTIES
Time: 13:00–17:00 (gary.corden@ramboll.co.uk)
Venue: Online 5 October
Price: Member: £255 + VAT; Standard: £355 + VAT Steel additive manufacturing in
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ NORTHERN IRELAND construction – challenges and
protect-your-designs-–-a-practical-guide-to- opportunities
intell 13 October Speaker: Dr Jie Wang
Northern Ireland Regional Group annual Time: 18:00–19:30
17 October dinner Venue: Chancellors’ Building, University of Bath,
Eurocode 7: foundation design for small Time: 19:00–23:30 Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
practitioners Venue: Titanic Hotel, 8 Queens Road, Belfast Price: Free
Tutor: Bob Benton BT3 9DT Register: www.istructe.org/events/western-
Time: 10:00–17:30 Price: £55–£85 counties/steel-additive-manufacturing-in-
Venue: Online Booking: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ni-regional- construction
Price: Member: £305 + VAT; Standard: £425 + group-institution-of-structural-engineers-annual-
VAT dinner-2023-tickets-713668099497 23 October–20 November
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Eurocode 3 steelwork design course –
eurocode-7-foundation-design-for-small- PETERBOROUGH online
practit-(1) Tutor: Bob Benton
4 October Time: 15:30–19:30
25 October Degrees of motion – moving bridges Venue: Online
Financial fundamentals Speaker: David Knight Price: Free
Tutor: Penny Taylor Time: 18:00–20:00 Register: www.istructe.org/events/western-
Time: 10:00–17:00 Venue: rightfield usiness ub, akewell counties/eurocode-3-steelwork-design-course-
Venue: IStructE HQ Road, Orton Southgate PE2 6XU online
Price: Member: £345 + VAT; Standard: £485 + Price: Free
VAT Register: www.istructe.org/events/ YORKSHIRE
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ peterborough/degrees-of-motion-moving-
financial-fundamentals-for-small-businesses bridges 20 October
Yorkshire Regional Structural Awards
31 October SCOTLAND Dinner
Writing skills for engineers Time: 19:00–23:30
Tutor: Penny Taylor 25 October Venue: The Met Hotel, King Street, Leeds LS1
Time: 10:00–17:00 CPD seminar – Engineering with Timber in 2HQ
Venue: Online the 21st Century Price: From £30
Price: Member: £345 + VAT; Standard: £485 + Speakers: Dr Dan Ridley-Ellis, Tabitha Binding Booking: www.istructe.org/events/
VAT and Rob MacKenna yorkshire/2023-yorkshire-regional-structural-
Booking: www.istructe.org/events/hq/2023/ Time: 15:00–19:00 awards-dinner
writing-skills-for-engineers Venue: University of Strathclyde, The Technology
and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street,
REGIONAL GROUPS Glasgow G1 1RD
Note that events are subject to change. Price: Graduate member: £70; other member: Regional Group Committee members
Please visit www.istructe.org/get-involved/ £80; non-member: £90 should submit details of forthcoming
regional-groups for up-to-date information and Booking: www.istructe.org/events/scotland/cpd- events to: regionsupport@istructe.org
registration details. seminar-engineering-with-timber

53
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 At the back Spotlight on Structures

All articles in Structures

are available free of charge
to paying-grade members
of the Institution as one of
their membership benefits
The journal is available
online at:
www.structuresjournal.org

Volume 54 (August 2023) of Structures is now available to read at:

www.sciencedirect.com/journal/structures/vol/54.
Hua Yang, Associate Editor for Structures, has selected an article
reviewing self-centering dampers for seismic-resilient structures.
This article will be available free of charge for six months.

Editor’s Featured Article

Review on self-centering damper for
seismic resilient building structures
Gang Xua, c, Tong Guoa, Aiqun Lia, b,
Shiyuan Wanga, Ruijun Zhanga, Ruizhao Zhua
and Jun Xuc
a
Key Laboratory of Concrete and
Prestressed Concrete Structures of the
Ministry of Education, Southeast University,
Nanjing, China
b
Multi-Functional Shaking Tables Laboratory,
Beijing University of Civil Engineering and
Architecture, Beijing, China
c
Failure Mechanics and Engineering Disaster
Prevention, Key Laboratory of Sichuan
Province, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
of the structure. his paper first reviews the
mechanical characteristics and development
of traditional dampers, including metal yield
dampers, friction dampers, viscoelastic
dampers, viscous fluid dampers, etc. hen,
the research of self-centering dampers is
summarised according to the types of self-
centering devices, including shape memory
alloy type, steel tendon and strand type,
and mechanical spring type. Further, the
experimental research and seismic design
methods of structures with self-centering
dampers are reviewed, as well as the classic
engineering applications of di erent dampers.
Finally, the future directions which need to be
considered in further research are mentioned,
which is beneficial to the future populari ation
and application of self-centering dampers
among engineers.
| Read the full paper at https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.istruc.2023.05.046

In recent years, major earthquakes in China,

Chile, New Zealand and Japan caused severe
damage to many building structures, which
must be overhauled or rebuilt. Therefore, how
to improve the seismic resilience of building
structures has been widely concerned. The
energy dissipation dampers are proposed to
be installed in some parts of the structure to
produce large damping and dissipate much
seismic energy input. The disadvantage
of these traditional dampers is that they
cannot automatically restore to the original
position after the earthquake, and the residual
deformation may result in huge economic
losses. In recent years, researchers proposed
to combine self-centering devices with
traditional dampers to obtain self-centering
capacity in addition to energy dissipation
capacity, and the self-centering dampers can
e ectively avoid post earth uake damage

Register for alerts

If you’d like to receive regular updates about new content in Structures, register for email alerts at www.sciencedirect.com.

54
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp54-55_TSE_October23_Spotlight.indd 54 27/09/2023 12:29

 Spotlight At the back

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57
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 Recruitment Telephone: +44 (0)1223 378 047 Email: polena.boutwood@cplone.co.uk

Structural Engineers Registration

Ltd seeks a new Board Director
Are you a professional working in the
built environment?
Structural Engineers Registration Ltd (SER), a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Institution of Structural Engineers, is looking for experienced
professionals, with knowledge of UK building standards to join its Board
of Directors. SER runs registration schemes for the certification of design
of building structures.
Alongside other Directors you will be responsible for overseeing and
safeguarding the success of the schemes and with a commitment of
just 8-10 days per year, this role will enable you to make a difference in a
manageable way.
For more information on SER visit: www.ser-ltd.com
For role description and application information, visit IStructE at:
www.istructe.org/about-us/work-for-us
Chartered Structural Engineer
– Associate
Golden opportunity for a Chartered Engineer who is ready
to take the next big step in there career.
We are a structural and civil engineering design consultancy
based in Wilmslow South Manchester and seek an experienced
Chartered Structural / Civil Engineer looking for fast track
career progression to becoming a Partner within 2 years.
Candidates must be self motivated and have the ability
to manage both the technical and financial aspects of
projects and have a “hands on” approach to design and
the CDM Regulations 2015.
You will be working on various projects around the UK in most
construction sectors and must be able to undertake structural
appraisals and reports on an assortment of buildings.
You will take control of an existing client portfolio and
supported by experienced engineers where necessary.
We support equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we
do and offer an attractive salary and flexible working.
If you are ready to take the next step then
please apply in writing with your cv to
Francis Bradshaw Partnership, Bank Chambers,
4 – 6 Church Street, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 1AU
wilmslow@fbpconsulting.co.uk

21479_SER_MBD_QP_advert.indd 1 14/09/2023 12:11 pm

Car park
design
The Institution’s Design
recommendations for multi-storey
and underground car parks
has set the standard for car
park design since 1976. After
more than 45 years and four
editions, this brand new guidance
builds on that legacy to provide
completely revised and updated
information for anyone involved
in car park design, construction,
maintenance and reuse.
Available now:
istructe.org/resources/guidance/car-park-design

21446_car_park_design_guide_HP.indd 1 17/07/2023 4:31 pm

58
October 2023 | thestructuralengineer.org

pp58-60 TSE_Oct23_Recruitment.indd 58 27/09/2023 14:01 ISE J

 Attract
the right
candidate
for less
Advertise
for just £449
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 options offer various levels of targeting and visibility. These include:

Digital Digital and print Premium/Rapid response

● Ad live on jobs board
for one month, with logo
£449
● Ad live on jobs board for one ● Ad live on jobs board for
month, with logo one month, with logo
● Featured in top section of ● Featured in top section of
search results search results
● Included in one fortnightly ● Included in one
jobs newsletter* fortnightly jobs newsletter*
● Quarter page in ● Quarter page in
The Structural Engineer The Structural Engineer
● Bespoke email sent to candidates
£979
£1,475
October 2021
Volume 99 | Issue 10

October 2021
| Issue 10
Volume 99

Bridging the
emissions gap
Bridging the
What measures can bridge designers take
to work towards a goal of net zero?

gap
emissions designers
can bridge net zero?
take

What measures a goal of

to work towards

Marginal carbon gains

Cover to reinforcement
carbon gains
Marginal

IMAX theatre upgrade

Cover to reinforcement

upgrade
IMAX theatre
Cover_TSE OCTOBER 2021_The Structural Engineer.indd 1 22/09/2021 14:32

14:32
22/09/2021

1
Engineer.indd
Structural
2021_The
OCTOBER
Cover_TSE

For more information and to get in touch with the media team,
contact Polena Boutwood / polena.boutwood@cplone.co.uk / +44 (0) 1223 378 047
*Available from October 2022

59
thestructuralengineer.org | September 2023

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22/08/2022 12:30
13:48
 Upcoming CPD
courses

Online Online Online London HQ

Eurocode 6: Deep basements Protect your Financial

masonry design
10 October
10:00 – 17:30 BST
–––
Price
Members: £305 + VAT
Standard: £425 + VAT
Learning outcomes
• Gain an overview of the
design of masonry to the
Eurocode
• Understand masonry
materials
• Know the standards
supporting the use of
masonry
• Understand how to design
for vertical load
• Complete design examples
for vertical load and
concentrated load
• Understand how to design
for lateral load and complete
a design example
• Know where to find relevant
information to support their
future designs
12 October
10:00 – 17:30 BST
–––
Price
Members: £305 + VAT
Standard: £425 + VAT
Learning outcomes
• Apply performance criteria to
construction techniques and
structural form considering
the intended use
• Design appropriate
waterproofing to achieve the
desired environment
• Propose structural form
and sequence to match the
geotechnical conditions
• Plan construction
methodology and sequence,
including estimating
schedule and costs
• Assess the logistics and
space requirements of
different equipment
considering the construction
methodology and ground
conditions
designs – a fundamentals
practical guide 25 October
to intellectual 10:00 – 17:00 BST
property –––
Price
17 October Members: £345 + VAT
13:00 – 17:00 BST Standard: £485 + VAT
––– Learning outcomes
Price • Recognise how the three key
Members: £255 + VAT financial documents (cash
Standard: £355 + VAT flow forecast, profit and loss
account, and balance sheet)
Learning outcomes are constructed
• Understand your legal rights • Explain some key financial
• Identify potential risks and ratios that inform the health
exposures of a business
• Know when to seek advice, • Interpret financial data to set
and what to ask forward plans
• Use key financial terminology
• Identify what financial data
is available in the public
Book now domain
• Work confidently alongside
your financial colleagues
Book now

Book now Book now

Book your place

istructe.info/courses
pp58-60 TSE_Oct23_Recruitment.indd 60 27/09/2023 12:30