Your committee has been working on an interesting programme of technical talks and visits for 2024, together with more social gatherings. Topics will span the breadth of engineering disciplines. Our next branch events are:
Details of our upcoming events are in the Events Calendar. Our members are also invited to attend the following events hosted by other groups:
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Andrew Delugar from the UK Branch committee (left) thanking our speaker, Liam Duff. |
The Virgin Mary lantern, with star on top, the four Evangelist lanterns topped with sculptures of the symbols traditionally used to represent them (a lion for Mark, an angel for Matthew, an eagle for John and a bull for Luke), the lower section of the Jesus tower in the centre (under construction) and the tops of the Nativity facade's four towers. |
Liam Duff, Associate Structural Engineer at Arup, and the project manager for their input to the lantern design work, presented a very interesting technical talk on the design and construction of this iconic basilica, La Sagrada Família, which is one of the world's most iconic buildings, notorious for its prolonged construction. Having started in 1882, the construction of the basilica has now entered its final phase. For the past five years, Liam has led a team of engineers working to complete this remarkable project. They have been combining state-of-the-art structural engineering with the enduring potential of stone to help realise Antoni Gaudí's vision for Barcelona. For mote information and stunning views of the basilica, take a look at the Virtual Tour on La Sagrada Familia's website . |
We hosted the joint Engineering New Zealand and Engineers Australia Christmas Soirée at the Royal Air Foce Club in Piccadily, London, which was a very enjoyable evening. |
The UK Branch session of Member Connect was held in London in‑person and also online with ENZ Chief Executive, Richard Templer, and Wellington staff joining us remotely. Richard provided us with a thorough overview of what the organisation is doing and where we are heading. This was followed by a period of discussion on the topics raised. The evening also provided an opportunity for those who attended in person with some networking time. |
Ben Snalam, Prof Michael Davies, Selwyn Aickin and Judy Henderson outside the venue beside the River Thames. |
Standing in the ornate octagon. |
Group outside the boiler house. |
We had a very interesting visit to the old pumping station at Crossness, made especially enjoyable by our hosts, Petra and Rob from the Crossness Beam Engine Trust. There are four beam engines in the pump house, one of which has had its engine restored to operating condition, although it doesn't pump, one that is in the process of being restored and two that will remain unrestored. |
Professor Sarah Staplers (City, University of London) and Dr Andrew McNamara (City, University of London and Chief Engineer, Kanaka UK Building) gave a very interesting presentation on their work in collaboration with Peltry Piling on the HIPER™ hollow pile product which has enhanced shaft capacity, can be constructed from pre‑cast elements and can use the void for sustainable building heating and cooling. The presentation covered the background to the development of HIPER™ piles along with laboratory testing, largely using physical modelling to quantify enhanced shaft friction, and some initial testing to explore the effect of heating and cooling on pile movements. We were pleased to be able to share a meal with our presenters after the talk. |
Ian Kirker, Proof Michael Davies, Andrew Delugar, Prof Sarah Stallebrass, Dr Andrew McNamara and Ben Snalam. |
Following the AGM, Andrew Delugar gave a very interesting talk on the potential uses of hydrogen within the Green Energy Revolution. |
Greyfriars Vineyard |
Distillery |
Albury Organic Vineyard |
Silent Pool |
We joined with our friends from Engineers Australia for a day outing in the Surrey Hills to celebrate Waitangi & Australia Days with visits to a number of sites of technical interest, including Greyfriars Vineyard on the Hogs Back, Albury Organic Vineyard next to Silent Pool, and The Distillers of Surrey in Ripley. Many thanks to the Aussies for organising this enjoyable day out. |
The Kiwi Contingent |
Exhibition Hall, Australia House |
After much effort dealing with 'the powers that be', the Australians managed to put on a wonderful social evening with great food, drink and entertainment, including Frances Madden, Australia's pre‑eminent jazz musician (piano and vocal), in the fabulous Exhibition Hall at Australia House. |
Frederick (Fred) G Hughes Fred Hughes, who sadly passed away in 2021, was a strong supporter of the former UK Association of the Institution of Professional Engineers, New Zealand (now renamed the UK Branch and Engineering New Zealand, respectively). I first met Fred, very early in my career in the 1970s, when he was Managing Director of Ground Engineering Ltd, the very successful ground investigation (GI) specialist arm of contractor Cementation. At that time, most of the large civil engineering contractors had a specialist GI company to their name and could benefit from the early knowledge of ground conditions that a GI could give them at the time of tendering for Main Works. I recall that Fred's GI reports were usually printed on sheets far larger than today's A3 which very helpfully enabled a borehole log and laboratory test data to be presented on the same page. Unfortunately, the slender profit margins - if any - generated by GI companies left them vulnerable to cost‑cutting accountants working for the parent companies and Fred's company was no exception. Long before that happened, however, Fred and his wife Dorothy had travelled overseas to New Zealand to enable Fred to take part in the construction of hydro‑electric schemes. Fred's enjoyment of his time in New Zealand was reflected on his return to the UK by his contribution to the well‑being of the UK Association. He and Dorothy, who sadly pre‑deceased him, were excellent hosts for barbecues held in their garden at "Tararua" in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire. Following my own return from working in NZ in 1988, I was invited by Fred to join him in 1989 on a Trafalgar House motorboat in the Solent to witness the start from Cowes of what was then the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race. We had the excitement of powering ahead of the Maxi Yachts and being at The Needles to watch them sail out into the English Channel. Even at that stage the New Zealand yachts - Peter Blake's "Steinlager 2" and Grant Dalton's "Fisher & Paykel NZ" - were making a strong showing and it was Peter Blake who went on to win the Race. Fred's love of sailing led him to part‑ownership of a beautiful Contessa yacht, moored on The Hamble in Hampshire. I readily jumped at the opportunity to crew for Fred on his voyages and I recall many very happy times with him and Dorothy and often another member of the crew Fred had encouraged onboard. Fred and Dorothy were a wonderful couple. They brought great joy and happiness to our events, especially the Christmas Soirées. I regret not keeping in touch with them in recent years. I hope this brief tribute to them makes some amends and ensures that their valuable contribution to our lives is placed on record. Jonathan R A Gammon, FEngNZ |