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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S53329/01
Title: Application of novel computational limit analysis and design synthesis methods in structural engineering
Principal Investigator: Gilbert, Professor M
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Civil and Structural Engineering
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 09 February 2004 Ends: 08 August 2009 Value (£): 225,560
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Ground Engineering Structural Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
28 May 2003 Engineering Advanced Fellowships Interview Panel Deferred
02 May 2003 Engineering Fellowships Sift Panel 2003 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
In the structural engineering profession limit-state analysis and design approaches have now been widely embraced. In many cases the ultimate limit-state (i.e. structural collapse) condition is found to be governing. However, to calculate the ultimate strength of structures practitioners currently often have to rely on either highly simplistic hand type calculations or highly complex non-linear elastic modelling techniques, which can be unreliable and often require both large amounts of computer time and operator expertise. Furthermore, the initial design stage, which generally has a huge influence on subsequent project costs, tends to be carried out in an ad-hoc manner, with individual engineers' intuition typically being used to arrive at optimum member layouts in structures such as canopies, bridges etc. This project aims to address both these issues through the development of a general integrated limit analysis and design synthesis framework, which will be implemented in an object-oriented computer program. This will allow both rapid ultimate limit-state analysis of relatively complex structural systems and also limit design synthesis of frames to be tackled. The integration of the analysis and design elements will, for the first time, allow retrofit design synthesis for strengthening existing structures. The technology will be applied to several applications, with an in-depth study being carried out in the case of masonry arch bridges, the most common bridge type in the UK and still relatively poorly understood due to the complex interactions between its constituent components.
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Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk