Issue 8

Thomond Park, the historic home of Munster rugby, has undergone major redevelopment (Fig 1) which will see its capacity rise to 25 756. This paper describes the design and construction of the new stand and terrace structures. Particular emphasis is given to the development of the architectural and engineering concepts, the wind tunnel testing and dynamic analysis undertaken during detailed design, and the fabrication and erection of the two 150m span 'rainbow' roof trusses.

Tom Cosgrove BE, MEngSc, CEng, FIEI, EurIng, FIStructE
Director, Michael Punch & Partners

Michael Quilligan BE, MEngSc, LicEng, MIEI
Project Engineer, Michael Punch & Partners

Bryan Whelan BE, MIEI
Project Engineer, Michael Punch & Partners

Cian Murphy BE, MIE
Project Engineer, Michael Punch & Partners

Stone cantilever stairs are constructed in two basic forms, either with plain or rebated treads. The body of work available is generally confined to the examination of plain treads, yet the majority of stairs in existence are of the rebated type. This paper outlines guidelines for inspection of cantilever stairs and a method of analysis that predicts the behaviour of a flight of rebated treads under a variety of loading conditions. The theoretical analysis and model testing provide formulae for calculation of torsion, vertical and horizontal reactions, tread rotation, displacements and shear stresses.

Philip Little, BEng
Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers

Michael Hough, BSc (Eng), Dip Struct Eng, MSc, CEng, MIEI, MIStructE
Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers

Edward Mullarkey, BE, MSc, MIEI
Lecturer in Structural Engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology