Structural Engineering (ARGiS)

ARGiS is undertaking research in four main areas:

• Timber engineering
• Concrete structures
• Steelwork structures
• Space structures
• Timber engineering

Work in timber engineering concentrates primarily on the development of high-efficiency jointing systems for timber and structural timber composites, incorporating finite element analysis and laboratory testing.

Concrete structures

In the concrete area, work is focused on the structural assessment of buildings and pavements. Instrumentation has been placed on a number of structures in order to assess their short-term response to imposed loads and their long-term movement due to creep and long-term thermal effects.

Research work has also been carried out on structural fixings for concrete and on measurements of the transient and long-term effects of impact loads on concrete slabs.

Steelwork structures

Work on steel structures is concentrated on steelwork connections and tubular elements, and has attracted involvement from major British firms such as Corus and the Steel Construction Institute. Connections are being tested and design guidelines are being developed.

Space structures

In the area of space structures, tensegrity systems, space grids and new architectural and construction forms are being investigated.

Scale models and numerical modelling are used to investigate the behaviour of these structures with an emphasis on potential applications in construction.