Author: O'Connor, D J;McAllister, B;Munro, J;Bennett, H R
N/A
Standard: £10 + VATMembers/Subscribers: Free
Members/Subscribers, log in to access
O'Connor, D J;McAllister, B;Munro, J;Bennett, H R
The Structural Engineer, Volume 73, Issue 19, 1995
The paper describes a field trial of the use of a simple statistical ‘extrapolation' technique for the determination of design load effects in existing bridges. Deflections were measured directly using lasers in the Foyle Bridge, and data were recorded for 155 daily 48-min samples. As only traffic load effects were of interest, wind-induced defections were removed by Fast Fourier transform analysis and temperature-induced deflections were removed through identification of traffic-free periods. A simple linear regression analysis using probability paper has been employed to determine the parameters which characterise the statistical distribution. The cumulative distribution function was then used to estimate the level of deflection with a 1000-year return period. Empirically derived formulas have been utilised to determine the variability in the 1000-year estimates and to calculate a design deflection which allows for this. E.J. O'Brien, T.D. Sloan, K.M. Butler and J. Kirkpatrick
The computer giant Seagate Technology Ltd developed and now operates a purpose-built 5000m2 clean room in the Campsie Industrial Estate near Londonderry in Northern Ireland. F. Robinson
The two universities within Northern Ireland run undergraduate courses which are accredited by the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Institution of Civil Engineers. On these courses, there is a strong link between research and undergraduate teaching through specialist modules and project work. However, the following paragraphs concentrate on the research currently in progress in each of the two universities. D.J. O'Connor and D.J. Cleland