About Pst29
I'm a PhD student studying Structural Engineering at the University of Cambridge. My research is about active control of tall buildings.
StudentHow can we make buildings better? Competition:
Buildings are designed to take much larger loads than they will normally ever see in their lifetime. This results in much more material being used than required. While this relates more to emissions and energy use from the initial construction, if less structural material can be used, this leaves more space for insulation, without the client needing to compromise on floor area.
My idea is to design buildings for the average load they are expected to take (e.g. this could be recorded in a similar use existing building), and then have active members which come into play under 'special cases' when the building needs to take more load (e.g. a party with lots of people).
What do you then do with the freed up space due to using minimal structural material? I suggest using vacuum insulated panels to reduce the energy use of the building in use - these panels have great insulating properties, while being very thin, giving the added advantage of maximising internal floor area, which is always desirable!
Featured articles and news
How to revolutionise UK housing with MMC
CIC and Supply Chain Sustainability School unveil a plan.
From the UKs largest manufacturer and supplier of lime.
From mud bricks to smart concrete
A brief history from 7000BC to a future on the moon.
Regulator of Social Housing publishes latest fire safety report
Covering remediation of 11 metre plus social housing sector buildings.
Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Bill 2024
Approved for priority drafting by Government of Ireland.
The long list with in the frame of key historical events.
Competence frameworks for sustainability in the built environment
Code of practice, core criteria consultation draft for comment.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Sept update
Pilot version for testing and feedback on its adoption due.
New Floods Resilience Taskforce
With a wet met office autumn prediction.
National Retrofit Hub takeover of Net Zero stage
At Birmingham UK Construction Week in October.
AT Awards 2024 finalists announced
With more to come, prior to the Awards ceremony in October.
London construction cools as hotspots appear nationally
Increases in the East of England, Yorkshire and Scotland.
ARB proposals for a new Architects Code
Announced in the shadow of the final Grenfell Inquiry report.
Combining human creativity and tech innovation now and in the future
Building automation and control systems market study
BSRIA 2024 North America BACS software & services.
Impact of digital technology on productivity in construction
New CIOB academy guidance for companies of all sizes.