Skip to main content
"By creating we think, by living we learn" Patrick Geddes
Main University menu
 

Templates Top-Level Menu

Structural Engineering

structures3
Rapid assembly arch system
suitable for large-span
applications

The Structural Engineering research sub-group (Dr Ian Mackie, Dr Ken Peebles, Dr Fraser Smith) carries out research in traditional areas such as space structures, shear reinforcement in reinforced concrete beams, composite structures and high performance, hybrid mechanical connections but has also instituted recently a number of new, interdisciplinary research programmes to diversify its range of research topics and identify novel and industrially-relevant research developments. In particular, it has established research initiatives in:

  1. The application of finite element methods to ophthalmic problems (corneal properties and behaviour);
  2. The engineering of both traditional and new structural materials (e.g lightweight structures and natural fibre composites); and
  3. The use of object and component oriented methods in distributed finite element analysis.
structures4
Numerical model of a human
cornea under concentric
anterior pressure

A major development has been the growth in research at the interface between structural engineering and ophthalmology, research that has been conducted jointly with opthalmologists at Moorfields Hospital, UCL, Cardiff University and the University of New South Wales. External funding from The Royal Society and Tenovus and a Global Research Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering has facilitated this collaborative venture. Related work on tissue engineering, with specific applications to artificial corneal devices, is also being carried out within a EU-funded project involving colleagues in Lyon, Lund, Venice and Hamburg.

The interdisciplinary Lightweight Structures Unit, formed to exploit the successful development of lightweight, deployable canopy systems for modular temporary events seating has been the vehicle for further research collaboration with colleagues in the University of Dundee School of Architecture and the Technical University of Munich, to optimise the performance of lightweight structures, to develop such systems to cover large spans and to investigate their flexibility in adapting to different loading conditions.

Edit