How do you extend the life of aging infrastructure?

Paul is currently speaking at the ‘Hidden Defects’ roadshow series of events organised by CIRIA for asset owners, bridge designers and inspectors of structures concerned with safely maximising the capacity of existing structures.

In his presentation ‘Risk Assessments and Real Behaviour - Does the defect matter?’ Paul shares his particular expertise in the real behaviour of structures, assessment, codes of practice, non-linear analysis and strengthening bridges. His tried and tested non-standard assessment approaches have enabled clients to avoid costs of unnecessary strengthening and rebuilding work.

The Hidden Defects roadshow launch event is on 1 June, in Bristol, hosted by Ramboll. It will roll-out the publication of the new guide (C764) ‘Hidden defects in bridges – guidance on detection and management’. Paul is also speaking at the second roadshow date on 4 July. Two other dates are to be confirmed. Click here for details of the roadshow launch and seminar programme.

As Technical Lead for phase 2 strengthening of The Hammersmith Flyover (HFO2) in 2015, Paul applied Ramboll’s extensive experience to what was a unique and challenging project. Not only did HFO2 challenge the application of design codes, it set a new precedent for the way we think about future refurbishment of similar concrete structures.

The major strengthening works to this strategically important bridge in west London included installation of new prestress to make the bridge independent of the original post-tensioning, without removing it (believed to be the first time this has been done) and constructed with minimum traffic disruption.

Paul has published several papers relating to the multi award winning HFO2 Project and recently his paper ‘Partial safety factors for reinforcement’ (Structures, Vol 5, February 2016), jointly written by the late Professor Andrew Beeby, won the IStructE award Best Research into Practice Paper Prize 2017.

He also presented a paper on Hammersmith Flyover Phase 2 Strengthening at the IABSE conference in Bath in April. This followed a speaking engagement at a March ICE/IStructE evening on post-tensioning.

Paul’s latest article ‘Look again at bridge inspection’ will be published in Transportation Professional this month.

During more than 40 years' experience in civil and structural engineering, Paul has been involved with research, design, analysis and assessment, and has contributed to UK, European and International Codes of Practice. He has worked for Ramboll (formerly Gifford) since 1988.