Mr. F. Wong was awarded the certificate of Civil
Engineering Students Papers Competition 1997 for his
paper on Effective Bracing Systems for Tall Buildings. Mr. Wong
gave a presentation at the headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineering (ICE) on
17 July 1997. He came into the second next to the Cambridge student who won the Lindapter
Award.
Mr. J. Derwent was awarded the certificate of Civil
Engineering Students Papers Competition 1998 for his
paper on Grandstands Designed for Sports Events and Pop Concerts.
He was invited to give a presentation at the headquarters of ICE on 16 July 1998.
Mr. R. Roohi was awarded a Highly Commended
Certificate of Model Analysis Award 1998 for his paper on Analysis,
Testing and Model Demonstration of the Efficiency of Different Bracing Arrangements of a
Plane Frame. He was presented with his prize by the President of the
Institution of Structural Engineers in London on 29 October 1998.
Mr. Frederick Fong was awarded a Commended
Certificate of Model Analysis Award 1999 for his paper on A
Tentative Study of Static Instability of Model Structures Predicted by Dynamic
Measurements. He will be invited to be presented with his prize by the
President of the Institution of Structural Engineers.
Miss W Yip and Mr. P Lee
received a Commended award in the Model Analysis Award 2000
organised by the Institution of Structural Engineers. Their paper was titled Seeing
and touching structural concepts
Mr. L B Young Received Michael
Horne Prize
for outstanding project work for his third year research project, Creativity
and Imagination in Building Engineering, given by the Lancashire &
Cheshire Branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 2001.
Miss Victoria Littlewood was shortlisted for the best Civil Engineering Student 2008 in the UK.
STUDENT PROJECTS FOR 2001/2002
Creativity and
Imagination in Design of Long-Span Structures
Seeing and Touching
Structural Behaviour
Exploring the Relationship between the
Maximum Static Displacement and the Buckling Load of Simple Structures
Effective Bracing
Systems for Scaffolding Structures
STUDENT PROJECTS FOR 2000/2001
Creativity and
Imagination in Building Engineering
Creativity and
Imagination in Bridge Engineering
Design of
Long-Span Structures
STUDENT PROJECTS FOR 1999/2000
Research
Structural Forms of
Grandstands for Sports Events and Pop-Concerts
Seeing and
Touching Structural Concepts
Effective
Bracing Systems for Scaffolding Structures
Design
Design of a Grandstand
for Sports Events and Pop Concerts
STUDENT PROJECTS FOR 98/99
Design
Design of a Grandstand
for Sports Events and Pop Concerts
Design of a Footbridge for the
New Millennium (new)
Research
Structural Forms of
Grandstands for Sports Events and Pop-Concerts
The Structural Forms of Footbridges
(new)
Predicting the Buckling Loads of
Model Structures Using Dynamic Measurements (new)
Design
Design of a Grandstand
for Sports Events and Pop Concerts (new)
Design of an Adjustable
Single Degree-of-Freedom Test Rig
Research
The Physical Background
of Some Mathematical Equations Used in Civil and Structural Engineering (new)
Structural Forms of
Grandstands for Sports Events and Pop-Concerts (new)
Bracing Systems for
Temporary Grandstands (new)
Effective Bracing
Systems for Tall Buildings (new)
Effective Bracing
Systems for Scaffolding Structures (new)
A Tourist Attraction, A Vibrant Image of Manchester and An Impact on Local Economy
There are a lot of TV coverage on the Manchester United Stadium when it is used for football matches, but there is little concern with other functions of the stadium. The multipurpose Manchester United Stadium, combining with the reputation of the Manchester United Football Team, forms a fundamental role, in attracting tourists over the world, in creating a vibrant image of Manchester and also in improving the local economy. This project will investigate the three aspects of the stadium. The project student needs to visit the stadium, to read through a wide range of articles and books, to investigate the functions beyond the traditional use of a stadium and then to form a view of the topic.
Seeing and Touching Structural Concepts
Today many hand calculations are replaced by using computers; however, structural concepts remain and cannot be replaced by the use of computers. Actually, structural concepts play an even more important role in design and in the assessment of computer results because of the wide use of computers. Structural concepts are normally abstract because they cannot be seen and touched directly. For instance, force paths transmit loads from their points of action to structural supports, and mode shapes describe vibration characteristics of a structure. If we could make these concepts observable and touchable, they would be better understood. Some concepts have been identified which can be shown by model demonstration.
The project includes a review of structural concepts taught in university studies, identification of the concepts which can be physically demonstrated, design and making of simple physical models. The successful completion of the project may lead to a submission for national competition for the Model Analysis Award 2000.
Design of a Grandstand for Sports Events and Pop Concerts
Grandstands are usually designed for accommodating spectators in various sports events. Nowadays new designs of grandstands are required for holding pop concerts in addition to other functions. Two typical examples are the Hong Kong Stadium and the Kippax grandstand for the Manchester City Football Club. The project is to design a grandstand that is safe and economical to accommodate the required activities
The design would be almost the same as the design of a conventional grandstand except two aspects:
The cantilever tier should be designed as stiff as possible, but not by means of increasing the cross-sections of structural elements.
Dynamic assessment of the grandstand should be conducted. A simplified method will be available for you for the assessment.
Assume that:
The design requirements of the stand are the same as these for the Kippax grandstand, the Manchester City Football Club.
It can be either a steel or a concrete structure.
Suggested procedures for the study:
Collect information for general design of grandstands
Compare the structural forms of several existing grandstands and identify their advantages and disadvantages.
Design your own grandstand. As a design, the following factors, at least, need to be considered:
wind loads on the roof and the design of the roof structure
the dimension of the stand, the seating, the viewing
the static and dynamic loads on the stand and the structural response to the loads
the material consummations
Provide related drawings, including plane and the cross-section of the stand, and some details.
Provide design calculations for main structural parts, such as the roof and the cantilever tier
Write up the design report.
Information Sources:
Some background information will be provided
Journal of Structural Engineers
The City Library
Design of a Footbridge for the New Millennium
Awards have been made to several footbridges for the advanced design in recent years. The typical examples are the Merchant’s footbridge, Manchester, and the Tyne Millennium footbridge, between Newcastle and Gateshead. A good design of a footbridge demonstrates the harmony of safety, economy and elegance of the structure. The project aims to design such a bridge that is visually striking and physically possible. The project also includes site visits of footbridges in Manchester and a review of existing designs.
Structural Forms of Grandstands for Sports Events and Pop-Concerts
Grandstands are usually designed for accommodating spectators in various sports events. Nowadays new designs of grandstands are required for holding pop concerts in addition to other functions. Two typical examples are the Hong Kong Stadium and the Kippax grandstand for the Manchester City Football Club. Therefore new structural forms of grandstands need to be considered to meet the requirements. The project will review the structural forms of existing grandstands and suggest one or more structural forms that should meet the new requirements, look elegant and be economical and safe.
Suggested procedures for the study:
Search information relating to grandstands, in particular, the cross-section of grandstands.
Read related publications for the background of the project
Conceptual analysis and make comments on the advantages and disadvantages of some grandstands.
Numerical analysis of selected examples, i.e. calculate static displacements
Consider the criteria which would be useful to increase the stiffness of the stands
Take site visit to several grandstands
Provide the structural forms of grandstands you suggested.
Conduct analysis to show the advantages of these criteria and the suggested forms
Write up the project report.
Information Sources:
Journal of Structural Engineers,
The City Library,
Some background information will be provided.
The Structural Forms of Footbridges
Awards have been made to several footbridges for the advanced design in recent years. The typical examples are the Merchant’s footbridge, Manchester and the Tyne Millennium footbridge, between Newcastle and Gateshead. However, these bridges look similar because they all use an tubular arch or a pair of tubular arches. Do architects and engineers run out of their ideas for other structural forms or are tubular arches the fashion of 90’s? The project aims to investigate the structural forms of footbridges for the new millennium. The project also includes site visits of footbridges in Manchester, review of designs of footbridges in the last twenty years and clarification of the types of footbridge. It is expected that the project student should be good at structural analysis and have a good sense of structural behaviour.
Predicting the Buckling of Model Structures Using Dynamic Measurements
The buckling load of a structure is immeasurable without destroying the structure. A non-destructive testing method has been developed at UMIST which allows to predict the buckling load of a structure using dynamic measurements. The project is a part of the ongoing research work in the Department. The project aims to provide model tests to verify and to update the testing method. The project includes the design, manufacture, analysis and testing of two or three 3D frame models. It is expected that the project student has an interest in model testing. A successful completion of the project may be submitted for the Model Analysis Award 1999 organised by the Institution of Structural Engineers.
Design of an Adjustable Single Degree-of-Freedom Test Rig
A new test rig, which is a straightforward single degree-of-freedom system with adjustable parameters, will be built within the Department. The test rig will comprise a stake of horizontal circular steel plates, 650mm in diameter, supported by several vertical springs that are fixed to a laboratory floor. Structural mass and stiffness can be varied by altering the number of plates and spring respectively. The test rig can be used to measure the human body frequency indirectly and to demonstrate the dynamic behaviour of a single degree-of-freedom system. The design includes simple dynamic analysis, conceptual and detailed (but also creative) design of the test rig.
Bracing Systems for Temporary Grandstands
The structural safety of temporary grandstands has been considered to be an important issue in the UK. Attention was drawn to the problem by a number of incidents which have occurred, the most serious being the collapse of the rear part of a temporary grandstand in Corsica in May 1992. insufficient bracing of the grandstand was the main cause of the accident. It has been identified that effective bracing systems can significantly increase the stiffness of the structures. The study will focus on the bracing arrangements for 3D scaffold frameworks. A FE software package, LUSAS or QSE, will be used to conduct a number of analysis. The research findings are likely used to improve the structural safety of temporary grandstands.
Effective Bracing Systems for Tall Buildings
Tall buildings in seismic regions and high wind areas are prone to excessive lateral deflections. Reduction of the lateral deflections is one of the biggest challenges to structural engineers. It has been identified that effective bracing systems can significantly reduce the lateral deflections of tall buildings due to wind and other loads. The study includes a review of existing bracing systems used for tall buildings, comparison of efficiencies of a new bracing system and existing systems in tall buildings. LUSAS or QSE will be used to conduct a number of analysis of 2D frame structures.
Effective Bracing Systems for Scaffolding Structures
Scaffolding is widely used to provide temporary supports and access in construction industry. Some collapses of scaffolding structures related to improper bracing arrangements. The project aims to examine the lateral stiffness of scaffolding structures with different bracing systems and to apply some criteria obtained from the study of bracing systems for temporary grandstands into scaffolding structures. The project includes:
to review the functions, requirements and use of scaffolding structures,
to visit central Manchester and to see the bracing arrangements of scaffolding structures used in practice,
to evaluate the stiffness of a selected example where different bracing arrangements are considered.
to suggest one or two good bracing systems for scaffolding structures.
Analysis, Testing and Model Demonstration of the Efficiency of Different Bracing Arrangements of a Steel Frame
Bracing is widely used in tall buildings, temporary grandstands and scaffolding structures to provide or to increase the lateral stiffness of these structures. It has been identified that an effective bracing system, based on two engineering concepts, can significantly increase the lateral stiffness of these structures without the use of extra bracing members. The project will investigate the effects of different bracing systems of a metal frame model by analysis and testing. The investigation includes the design and manufacture of the frame model, the test of the model with different bracing arrangements and the comparison between the measurements and calculated results. In addition, two demonstration models will be building which allows people ‘to feel’ the stiffness of different bracing systems. It is expected that the investigator, through conducting the project, will fully understand some engineering concepts used in design and benefit from the combined experimental and theoretical studies.
Suggested procedures for the study:
1. Read through related papers and understand the effects of different bracing systems.
2. Check materials available in the Laboratory.
3. Perform initial calculations to determine the model dimensions and the cross-sections of elements of test models and two demonstration models.
4. Manufacture the test models and demonstration models
5. Calculate the stiffness and frequency of the test models
6. Measure the displacement and frequency of the test models
7. Compare the measured and calculated results
8. Write up the project report
The Physical Background of Some Mathematical Equations Used in Civil and Structural Engineering
Nowadays many problems in civil and structural engineering can be solved numerically by using computers and software packages. However the physical background and establishment of the mathematical models of these problems are still useful for understanding the nature of the problems. It is also realised in many occasions that wrong solutions from computers are due to incorrect understanding of the problems investigated. This project aims to review some mathematical equations used in civil and structural engineering, to emphasise on the physical nature of these problems and the ways to establish these equations. An summary sheet will be abstracted from the review that includes the description of the problems (physical phenomena) and the corresponding mathematical equations (modelling). The summary sheet will be distributed to new students who are keen to know the applications of mathematics in civil and structural engineering.
Suggested procedures for the study:
Check text books on Structures, Stress Analysis, Geotechnics and Hydraulics and make a list of important equations.
Investigate each individual equations by answering the following questions:
what were the assumptions used?
which way was considered or used to derive the equation?
what type of the equation is it?
what types of problem can be solved by using the equation?
what are the limitations of the equation?
how is the equation solved?Classify the groups of these equations according to their types.
Try to find out the similarities and differences between the ways for establishing these individual equations.
Try to find out the similarities and differences between the ways for solving these individual equations.
Provide a summary sheet to show the equations, the types of equation, the applications (what types of problem can be solved by using the equation)
write up the project report.
Information sources:
Text books at different levels in civil and structural engineering
16/11/01