Our Insights

Advanced Systems Integration in Major Rail Projects

01 August 2015

The paper discusses the primary drivers for technological change in railways and examines a new means for integrating complex systems in rail projects whilst meeting customer expectations and securing optimum stakeholder engagement throughout the project life-cycle.

Models for Multi-Phase & Single-Phase Flow in Pressure Relieving System Using Bernoulli Integration

29 April 2015

This paper reviews integral methods to numerically solve the Bernoulli equation in compressible flow for several common situations: orifices, relief valves, and control valves. 

 

Calculation of Dynamic Impedance of Foundations Using Finite Element Procedures

30 March 2015

This paper provides structural engineers with the basic tools for the understanding, calculation and use of foundation impedance functions. 

Geo-Characterization of Brownfield Site for Modernization of a Large Industrial Facility

17 March 2015

This technical paper details a multi-phase subsurface investigation (SI) program performed to provide geo-characterization of a brownfield site for the modernization of a large industrial facility.

Instrumented Pile Load Testing Program for a Coal-Fired Power Plant

15 March 2015

This paper includes a general description of the site and its geologic conditions, along with subsurface and groundwater conditions in the vicinity of the pile load test area

Integration of Non Technical Skills in a Competence based Safety Culture

10 March 2015

This paper introduces the relevance of Non Technical Skills in railway industry training schemes for the purpose of improving business performance and safety standards.

The Challenges of LNG Materials Selection

02 January 2015

This paper provides an overview for the selection of the materials of construction for Liquefied Natural Gas liquefaction plants. The selection of optimum materials of construction affects both the initial capital investment and operational costs and profits.

Siting a large deep water transshipment port

27 December 2014

The new Panama Canal locks are being built to accommodate ships with a total fresh water draft of 50 feet (15 meters), a beam of 160 feet (49 meters) and a length of 1,200 feet (366 meters). This compares with the current canal limits of about 41 feet (12 meters) of draft, 110 feet (30 meters) of beam and 1,000 feet (305 meters) in length.

General Electric – Alstom merger brings visions of the Überturbine

08 August 2014

Integration of the two OEMs’ advanced gas turbine designs could deliver combined cycle efficiencies that leapfrog the best available today.

Improved two-step method for seismic analysis of structures

25 July 2014

This paper presents an improved two-step method that characterizes the incoherent FIM using combination of spatial mode shapes. Results are compared with SASSI2010 to judge the method’s accuracy for various response quantities, and sensitivity of results to the number of spatial modes is studied. The results show that the proposed method is quite accurate when a few basemat mode shapes are included in addition to the six rigid body mode shapes.

Systems Expansion Whilst Minimising Disruption to Existing Operations

01 July 2014

This paper discusses the importance of careful planning for proposed expansion of major railway systems.

The Pool Fire Case for Pressure Relief: Radiation Exposure Limited by Fuel Supply

02 April 2014

In design of pressure relief systems, a pool fire is one of the most typical relief cases. This paper illustrates one method where the heat input is limited by the fuel supply. 

ROPES: Joint industry project on effect of passing ships on moored vessels

01 April 2014

Ships have significantly increased in size and number over the last decades. Ports and waterways are accommodating these ships and at the same time new terminals are designed in the existing infrastructure. In restricted water moored vessels can be affected by hydrodynamic forces induced by passing ships. The ROPES project was initiated to investigate these effects, to develop a numerical model for predicting these loads and to validate this model. This paper provides an overview of the ROPES project and its results. 

Design Options for Overfill Prevention for Aboveground Storage Tanks

30 March 2014

This technical paper describes different design configurations of tanks where overfilling is a possibility.

Building Crossrail: A holistic approach to sustainability

27 March 2014

At Crossrail, we are passionate, not just about building a new railway but ensuring it is delivered in a way that provides a lasting economic, environmental and social sustainability legacy.  We have enshrined this in our strategy and governance processes and our contractors have joined us on this journey. This paper provides a comprehensive yet concise account of how Crossrail has organized itself to deliver a sustainable outcome as well as detailing a structure for successful outcomes.