The theme for the one-day event is “Structural Engineering for Extreme Events” and will principally cover the effects of Fire, Wind, Earthquake, Tsunami and High Explosive Blast on structures. It is intended to look at pre-disaster work such as strengthening of structures and changes in loading that might be expected due to climate change; disaster events and structural performance during an event; and post disaster work such as how codes and standards are modified due to the forensic investigation and experience of extreme events.

For more information click here.

The Irish Concrete Society Awards recognise excellence in the design or construction of a completed concrete building, structure or element. The competition has been running since 1979 and attracts a wide range of entries from small and large projects alike.

The awards are open to Clients, Architects, Consulting Engineers, Materials Suppliers, Contractors or others directly involved with the nominated project and must refer to completed work, located in Ireland, which commenced after January 2007. In order to enter this competition please complete the nomination form and return to the Society before the closing date of Friday 24 September, 2010.

Winning entries in the Building and Infrastructural categories will be considered for entry in the European Concrete Societies Network (ECSN) Concrete Awards Scheme. For further information please see the Irish Concrete Society website.

VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art and The George Bernard Shaw Theatre, Carlow - Overall Winner 2009

The UK and Republic of Ireland are divided into 12 electoral regions, based on the Institution branches. The Republic of Ireland Branch belongs to region 2 (along with Northern Ireland and Scotland). The candidates for this region are:

• Colin C Caprani – Lecturer, Dublin Institute of Technology.
• Angus M Cormie – Technical Services Manager, Ogilvie Construction.
• Kerry R Greeves – Associate Director, Ove Arup & Partners.
• Roger F Knipe – Chartered Structural Engineer, Scott Wilson.
• Suzanna M Ovenstone – Director, Robertson Eadie.

More information on the individual candidates can be found here.

Mr Tom Cosgrove is presented with a Fellowship of the Institution at the Annual Dinner

The Grade of Fellow (FIStructE) is the highest grade of membership within the Institution, the attainment of which recognises excellence in structural engineering achievement and contribution to the engineering profession.

For election to fellowship, candidates should be engaged in the profession of structural engineering, should not normally be less than 35 years old and should have at least five years of senior professional experience. Additionally, candidates must have made a significant contribution to engineering and must be able to provide evidence of CPD over the previous five years.  

Chartered members and associates who meet the relevent criteria are encouraged to apply. Further information can be got from the Institution of Structural Engineers main website.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has recently published the code of practice for the design and installation of anchors. This is an important development in the use of anchors in construction. The aim of this code of practice is to provide practical guidance to designers, specifiers and installers of metal anchors on the requirements and prohibitions set out in the relevant statutory provisions.

This code of practice came into effect on 17 May 2010 and is available to download free of charge here.

The BCRI Conference, held every two years, is a the joint conference of:

• Bridge and Infrastructure Research in Ireland;
• Concrete Research in Ireland.

It has proved to be a great success with both practitioners and academics alike. This is because a key feature of the conference is to promote discussion between academics and practitioners on various topics. The main topics are:

• Bridge & Transport Infrastructure;
• Concrete;
• Geotechnics & Materials Engineering.

This year’s event will be held jointly in UCC and CIT on 2 and 3 September, 2010.

Please see the conference website for more information: www.bcri.ie.

The night began with the presentation of the Chairman’s Medal to the incoming Chairman, Mr Pearse Sutton, by the President. A presentation was also made to our outgoing Chairman, Mr Martin Mannion, in appreciation of his unfailing commitment to the Institution, which has not ceased since he relinquished his role.

Mr Pearse Sutton is presented with the Chairman's Medal

Mr Martin Mannion's hard work as Chairman is acknowledged

This was followed by a number of presentations. The first was to Breiffni Fitzgerald, a recent Civil Engineering graduate from Trinity College Dublin and winner of the Republic of Ireland Branch’s Annual Student Prize. The Branch Prize was then awarded to Mr Ken Moriarty, of O’Connor Sutton Cronin, for his excellent evening lecture on The National Convention Centre. Finally the President presented Mr Tom Cosgrove, of the University of Limerick, was presented with a Fellowship of the Institution.

Breiffni Fitzgerald is awarded the 2009 Student Prize

Mr Ken Moriarty is presented with the Branch Prize for his presentation on The National Convention Centre

Mr Tom Cosgrove is presented with a Fellowship of the Institution

Following dinner, Mr Train spoke to the guests and thanked the members for the opportunity to visit the branch. He welcomed the members and in particular he thanked the guests, many of whom have a close relationship with the Structural Engineering community. Mr Gene Fitzpatrick, one of Ireland’s best-loved commedians, made the keynote speech. His speech set the atmosphere for what became a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

The Branch would like to thank to the staff of The Conrad Hotel who ensured the smooth running of the event. Also, thanks must be extended to our branch secretary, Dr Colin Caprani, whose tireless efforts once again resulted in a successful night.

Some more pictures from the night:

The Institution are still accepting returns for the 2009 year and members are advised to complete their CPD return as soon as possible, if they have not already done so.

Although it is not yet a condition of membership to submit a CPD return, the Institution does encourage members to do so by highlighting the advantages and benefits of submitting a return. It is anticipated that in approximately 2 years CPD reporting will be obligatory for continued membership.

A dynamic programming algorithm for optimization of composite steel box girder bridges under static and dynamic loading
Breiffni Fitzgerald – Trinity College, Dublin

This project proposes and develops a new dynamic programming algorithm for the optimisation of composite steel box girder bridges of single or multi-span under static and dynamic loads.

Displacement transfer function at mid-span for damped three-span bridge

The dynamic programming algorithm proposed is based on a combination of EXCEL based optimisation solver and finite element modelling for dynamic analysis. In addition supplemental damping devices are optimally designed. The algorithm is as follows. At first, the bridge considered is subjected to static loads and optimised. The optimal parameters obtained from this static optimisation are then used to create a finite element model of the bridge. This model is analysed dynamically to obtain the natural frequencies of the bridge and the mode shapes. Tuned Mass Dampers (TMDs) are then attached to the bridge at critical locations as defined by the mode shapes and are tuned to the natural frequency of the structure to reduce the structural response. These TMDs are tuned optimally. The composite box girder bridge is thus optimised for static and dynamic loading.

EXCEL solver is used for static optimisation Natural frequencies and mode shapes were obtained from a finite element model in ANSYS. Displacement transfer functions for the bridges were obtained based on the ‘fixed-point’ theory of Den Hartog. This project has also shown that it is justified to assume the existence of ‘fixed-point’ frequencies in moderately and lightly damped box girder bridges.

Two composite steel box girder bridges were optimised in this project. The first is a single-span simply supported bridge with a span of 40m and the second is a three-span bridge with equal simply supported spans of 40m. The algorithm achieved minimum weight structures damped optimally to reduce their response at resonant frequencies.

The algorithm is general and can be used for many different structures including tall towers, multi-storey buildings and wind turbines. It can also be used for different types of dampers.

The Republic of Ireland Branch, in conjunction with the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, will be presenting a series of evening lectures to introduce the structural Eurocodes. The course will cover the current code status, changes in the design approach, terminology, design parameters, the various National Annexes and worked examples.

For more information download the flyer here.

To register: Please download the registration form here and return to
Anne Potter, ACEI HQ, 46 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Email info@acei.ie