IDE Seminar: The REAL Behaviour of Structures

A new one-day seminar is being held at New College, Oxford on Friday 9th April. The title of the seminar is "The REAL Behaviours of Structures - Tales of the Unexpected".

Here's the description:

The nature of all construction work requires a degree of temporary works and support throughout the building process. Inevitably, the supporting elements and the permanent structure will act together over a period of time. The added complication of differing materials working in a composite manner can create additional stresses and movements beyond normal expectations and the most elaborate computer analyses.

The familiar road sign “Weak Bridge” is a commonly used deterrent to prevent heavy vehicles crossing the structure. In many cases, the warning is entirely justified. However, there are a significant number of structures that have been subjected to restrictions or replaced prematurely due to inappropriate assumptions regarding the articulation and structural actions of principal elements.

High risk activities on demolition projects have reduced dramatically due to the development of purpose designed hydraulic machines and greater awareness of health and safety procedures. Unfortunately, accidents still occur due to unforeseen defects and unexpected structural behaviour. The effects of vehicle impacts and fire damage create additional hazards for both the rescue services and demolition operatives.

Long-term monitoring studies and full-scale load tests over the last 40 years have provided an insight into the hidden reserves and weaknesses in structures ranging from historic buildings to modern post-tensioned concrete bridges. The primary purpose of this Seminar is to highlight and explain the observed behaviour of a wide variety of structures during construction, in service and during demolition.

The day begins at 9am with registration and drinks and ends at 5pm after a short discussion about the seminar. Attendance also entitles IDE members to one IDE-CPD point.

Head on over to the IDE website for more information including a booking form, directions, and full breakdown of the seminar day timetable.