Papers given at the 2011 Technical Excellence Forum
Welcome and introduction
by Simon Smith, UK Director of Buildings & Design
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The Hepworth Wakefield
by Anton Sawicki, Structural engineering
A striking example of a return to the use of aesthetic in situ concrete in architecture. In the current financial climate, in situ concrete can deliver sustainable award-winning buildings that are also value for money. Presentation of the technical and wider issues facing building teams in the sucessful production in the UK of architectural concrete.
A380 Aircraft Hangar
by Mark Yau, Fire engineering
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The provision of a safe means of escape from a new light maintenance hangar, including automatic and manual fire detection, and protection systems and methods. Our fire engineering led to a well-received fire strategy report that was highly praised by the client, and by approval authorities as the most comprehensive for an aircraft hanger that they had seen.
Hornsey Road Baths
by Katrina Scherebnyi, Acoustics
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Discussion of the acoustics challenges in the conversion of a disused Victorian laundry in Islington into a flexible performance space. The team's solutions made a real and positive impact. The project demonstrates how adding new technologies and materials to historic buildings can transform derelict structures into functional appealing social hubs.
Bramall Learning Centre
by Peter Corbett and David Tasker, Building services engineering
Presentation of an exemplar sustainable building located in the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Harlow Carr. A multi-award-winner, the project was named the UK Green Building Council's Sustainability Project of the Year (under £10m) in 2010. It achieved a BREEAM rating of 88.51%, which is exceptional.
Lincolnshire Energy from Waste
by Matthew Collings and Andrew Woolcock, Waste engineering
A joint venture between Ramboll, Gifford and Fehily Timoney in support of an outline business case for the treatment of residual waste. Combining the team's international expertise, meant we could support Lincolnshire County Council's adoption of alternative approaches to planning and procurement, resulting in a successful speedy, cost effective development process.
Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm
by Harriet Kirk and Laurence Cross, Geotechnical engineering
The challenges and uncertainties in the detailed design of 160 turbine foundations, and in installation methodology, for a windfarm off the coast of North Wales. The foundation solution involves 400 tonne hollow steel monopiles individually designed for ground conditions and water depth. Our methodology revealed potential installation cost and programme savings.
The Presidential Library, Astana
by Tom Foley, Structural engineering
Pushing the boundaries of modern iconic architecture, designed by BIG Architects. A presentation of the inevitable technical challenges associated with complex geometric forms, and examining the wider challenges relating to local culture and attitudes, an extreme environment and the importance of collaborative working.
Mary Rose Museum
by Alan Hutton, Building services engineering
An explanation of how detailed 3D vector analysis of air movement, temperature and humidity profiles across the complex hull of the rescued Mary Rose will provide the necessary conditions for preservation. Discussion on the use of detailed laser scanning to provide information about the geometry of the dock, ship hull and proposed engineering.
The University of Sheffield Arts Tower
by Clive Everett, Facade engineering
A discussion of the challenges faced in preserving the historic architectural intentions of the Arts Tower's designers without precluding solutions that meet the expectations of current users and operators. An understanding of existing structure, early engagement with conservation officers and sound facade engineering advice were all important in the selection and approval of the actions adopted.
Capital Gate, Abu Dhabi
by Carl Brookes and David Vaughan, Advanced engineering
The world's furtherest-leaning man-made tower presented many technical challenges during construction. Our specialists were asked to predict lean, provide construction control information, including stage pre-cambering, and design the world's first vertical post-tensioning. Includes a presentaion of time-dependent non-linear finite element analysis simulating each construction stage — a vital tool in calculating the 3D pre-cambering vertical and horizontal alignment applied at each level.
Forth Replacement Crossing
by Peter Curran, Civil and structural engineering
A new major piece of infrastructure for Scotland — a project led by Ramboll in collaboration with Gifford, Grontmij and Leonhardt Andre & Partners. At the centre of the project to improve the strategic road network of the east coast is a new bridge over the Forth Estuary. Focuses on the development of the specimen design during tendering and early design considerations.
Yu Sha Square, Hainan
by Shonn Mills, Structural engineering
A one million sq m mixed-used multi-high rise development in southern China. A presentation of the analysis techniques used to model the structural behaviour and develop efficient and robust structural strategies. Load cases include severe typhoon conditions and earthquake ground accelerations. The paper focuses on seismic analysis carried out under Chinese design codes, and a comparison of modal response spectra and dynamic time history analysis results.
Keynote speaker : Andrew Griffin
JDS / Julien De Smedt Architects
Performative Projects