Costain technical director Bill Hewlett has been appointed chairman of the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) and wants more contractors to report incidents so that other may learn from them. Above: SCOSS chairman Bill Hewlett SCOSS is an independent body supported by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Health & Safety Executive. It exists to promote structural safety by sharing the lessons of failures and near-misses. The chairman is appointed at the invitation of the presidents of both ICE and IStructE. Bill Hewlett is a former vice president of the ICE and joined the SCOSS committee in 2011. As part of his role as chairman, he will be involved with the Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety (CROSS) scheme. “SCOSS and CROSS offer a unique and invaluable service,” Mr Hewlett said. “It is important to see SCOSS and CROSS in the full breadth of structural engineering, from petro-chem, nuclear and infrastructure as well as buildings of every type.” He hopes to expand the reach of the organisation so that more contractors report their incidents and near-misses. “In particular I shall be seeking greater engagement with the contracting side of the industry, particularly SMEs. We are also looking at our global outreach,” he said. “I would encourage everyone, across all our sectors, to participate in the scheme by signing up for our newsletters, and most importantly by reporting their own experiences of structural safety. Understanding hazards and risks is vital for structural safety, and this is a great way to learn. Reporting via CROSS is confidential and serves to bring about beneficial changes. Please visit the Structural-Safety website to find out more.” This article was published on 13 Jun 2016 (last updated on 13 Jun 2016). Source link

Scientists have crowned the termite as the natural world’s greatest engineer, thanks to its supreme mound building abilities, as detailed in a new study. Above: Termite mound [Courtesy: Shutterstock – EcoPrint] Researchers have previously explored how termites build their mounds in a unique way involving ‘bio-cementation’, a process where grains of soil are fused together into small balls with moisture, saliva and excretion. The chemical process which follows glues the ball together, and these are used like bricks to construct mounds reaching heights of two metres or more. Now, new research published in the Institution of Civil Engineers journal Environmental Geotechnics shows that this process makes the mounds as much as 10-times stronger than structures made of unmodified materials or control soil. It also significantly decreases the mound’s susceptibility to erosion. The research also reveals a certain termite savvy; when offered a choice of materials with different sized grains to build with – from glass beads to pure clays –]laboratory termites opted for materials with a finer grain which can be packed together more tightly to create more robust balls.  Furthermore, they were able to adjust the amount of moisture used to help cement the balls according to the material being offered to them. The study – by the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore – involved a series of experiments examining the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of mound soil, compared to control soil, and comparing the erodibility and stability of the mound itself.  Experiments to determine the termites’ capabilities were conducted under lab conditions. Author Ramesh Kandasami said: “Engineers have long been studying the principle of bio-cementation and how it can be utilised in engineering to improve structures and environmental sustainability. Engineers, scientists and ecologists alike have also developed a fascination for the termites that use bio-cementation to construct their mounds; impressive structures with an intricate assemblage of tunnels, cavities and chambers which are engineering feats in themselves. “However there has been little investigation on the actual effect of bio-cementation on a termite mound’s strength and stability. “When exposed to various conditions from oven drying to compression testing, the mound soil exhibited strength of 1500kPa, compared the control soil strength of 150kPa – a remarkable 10 fold increase. The mound soil also showed enhanced resistance to erosion and weathering. “When offered a diverse mix of materials to build their ‘bricks’ – each with differing grain sizes – they wisely chose finer grains with the best engineering properties. But they also showed an ability to adapt to a range of foreign materials, applying bio-cementation and smartly adjusting water content accordingly. “This behaviour is quite extraordinary, adding to the fascination of these creatures, and deepening our understanding of the termite mound phenomena. This study will hopefully provide further insight into the effectiveness of the bio-cementation process for a range of engineering structures which benefit society.”     Further Images This article was published on 1 Apr 2016 (last updated on 1 Apr 2016). Source link

Nilorn, a Sweden-headquartered branding and design firm is setting up a 15,000 sq ft North Yorkshire base, which will serve as the company’s UK head office. Signing the deal to bring Nilorn to the mixed-use Motor Works scheme in Cononley was property developer Candelisa. “We are delighted to have concluded this deal with Nilorn which will provide a major boost to the local economy and create potential employment opportunities,” said Guy Taylor, Candelisa Managing Director. The new site is being built specifically for Nilorn and is part of the wider £30 million Motor Works development, which also includes the conversion of the former Green’s Mill into 51 apartments and the construction of 46 homes on brownfield land. Moreover, the Motor Works project also includes the proposed Anley Crag Business Park, which could go before local planners as early as August. If approved, the Business Park will deliver 137,000 sq ft of commercial space and a further 19 residential units. “We have evidence that the creation of an environmentally conscious, sophisticated business park at Anley Crag will attract similar professional businesses, making it a great working environment and offering a fantastic work life balance,” said Guy. “The scheme is also critical to Craven’s commitment to provide opportunities for talented professionals to live, work, and remain in the rural North and help retain the vibrancy of the Yorkshire Dales National Park,” he added. The office for Nilorn is due to be completed in early 2019. Nilorn is a unique global company with expertise in adding value to brands in the world of labels, packaging, and accessories. The firm offers complete, creative and tailor-made concepts in the areas of branding, design, product development and logistic solutions. Its offices and manufacturing bases are located in: Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Portugal, Turkey, Hong Kong, China, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Making plans for a building facility There are different processes for a building project. These range from materials and logistics, to automobiles. Bosch quality offers some of the best spare parts for your construction vehicles to keep them performing optimally. No two buildings are exactly the same. However, there are compulsory key steps which can be applied to all construction work. The assignment might be difficult and complicated or basic and easy. Furthermore, it can be new, a renovation, or, perhaps, a modification. A seaside holiday house or a multi-storey building all follow these simple guidelines. General rules for building construction The magnitude and design determines how long the work will last. These simple principles guarantee you make right decisions: Put all your ideas together. In this sense, every possible item, process, and cost should be taking into account. Solicit the advice of expert builders to determine how realistic the entire assignment is. Two factors that will immensely affect the project is the land site and the location of the building. The location of the sun, wind direction, electricity, water supply, land boundaries, neighbours, driveways, footpath, hills, trees, and so forth, are very crucial and should be discussed early on. Rural constructions cost due to lack of water, electricity, gas, or even good roads. State clearly what you want. Nothing will cost more time, energy, and resources than errors in the plan. The designer should be made aware of what should be done and the amount allocated for it. These should be a clearly stated agreement. Look carefully at the design and make changes to suit your purpose before work commences. Prior to giving the plan for approval, ascertain if everything you want is in order. If you need to modify your plan after approval, it will cost more time and money. Sought experts familiar in the field. You can preside over the construction of the house or assign it to another. Whichever you prefer, the ultimate responsibility rests on you because you. Affirm the architect in the design and contract documents. He will be the one to organise workers. On the other hand, a quantity surveyor can provide rough estimates of how much the entire undertaking will cost. Compare the estimates of different project managers to make informed decision of the best approach. Write an comprehensive contract. The arrangement should not have ambiquities. Each party should have a clear view of what their role is and the time frame. Whether you provide the contract or it is handled by the building company, go through each detail carefully before signing and giving an approval. Everyone’s obligation should be incorporated. As the work progresses, additional cost might crop up, determine you are not paying more than the stated responsibility on the contract. Engage the service of a lawyer to make the contract legal and binding. Purchase a building insurance. Accidents do happen. Acquire enough insurance to cover the duration of the project. This premium can be obtained from a bank or an insurance company. Some building contractors have a professional insurance which can cover some of the damages during your work. Provide health and safety plans Early on in the project, make provision for health and safety and let the workers be aware of it. A First Aid kit should be in the construction site. You have a duty towards everyone’s safety at least to some extent according to the Health and Safety at Work Act. Assess the master plan and financial requirements. Before applying for the building plan approval, evaluate the master plan and check all costs. It is also the period to make adjustments. If you delay in making modifications, you will have to go through an application process and even pay a fee before you will receive another approval. This will lead to a substantial delay of the work. Determine all the requirements are present in written form before making the application. Stick to specifications. After the design is approved, the construction date has to be fixed and work begins. Some municipalities give a time frame from start to finish. Either the architect, you or someone else needs to observe the progress and send feedback to the council if they so recommend. Keep datelines and conduct inspections to be sure they are met. When the work is completed. Make sure the project is completed according to plan. There are situations whereby the architect or project manager can still make changes to the facility 12 months after completion. The contract, usually, serve as a blue print of what is involved in the whole undertaking. All financial commitments to the building company, council, individuals, and so forth, needs to be paid in full at the end. Discuss with the architect how often maintenance and checks should be carried out in the building. Some items entail constant inspections while others can be done quarterly or even yearly.