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Jeremy Watson is awarded CBE

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Jeremy Watson, Arup's director of Global Research, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's 2013 Birthday honours. His citation was for services to engineering.

Jeremy has worked as Arup's global director of Research for the last seven years; spending three of these as part-time Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Jeremy has been instrumental in working with academia, businesses and the Government to inform the UK's scientific research priorities. He played a key role in realising GBP 3.5m of direct funding for academic partners as well as enabling access to GBP 50m of current EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) projects.

Within Arup, Jeremy created the Arup Doctoral College (a group of 50 students looking as Arup research themes and working towards Masters and PhD qualifications). Jeremy is also VP of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and served for 3 years as governing board member of the Technology Strategy Board.

"I am delighted to receive this important honour, and hope it brings reputational value to Arup. I would like to thank all my colleagues who have supported the mission to create value from, and give a higher visibility of purposeful research".

+ Jeremy Watson

Cuadrilla appoints Arup to conduct independent EIAs

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Today, Cuadrilla announced the appointment of Arup as independent provider of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to be conducted as part of planning applications to explore for natural gas from shale in Lancashire.

The process will start this summer, and is expected to run into the first quarter of 2014.

Arup's work on the Environmental Impact Assessments will include environment risk assessment, public and stakeholder consultation and planning application support.

"These EIAs are being carried out as part of a robust process of developing informed consent for the on-going exploration of the very significant natural gas resources in Lancashire’s Bowland shale.

"Arup's experience in technical and public consultation was perfectly suited to the issues and opportunities in Lancashire, where there is a mix of technical and public issues."

- Francis Egan, CEO, Cuadrilla Resources Ltd.

"Shale gas exploration is an emerging area in the UK and Arup understands the full range of environmental issues. However, the vital element in this work will be using that knowledge to ensure we fully assess, explain and, as appropriate, mitigate any implications for the local environment or communities. We are pleased to have the opportunity to assess these issues in more detail and to support Cuadrilla in its commitment to the highest environmental standards on this project."

- Des Correia, project director, Arup

One of the first steps of the project will be to agree a stakeholder and public consultation plan. Discussions are already underway with Lancashire County Council.

"Shale gas exploration is a process which necessitates that communities have confidence that all material risks have been properly identified and assessed, and the appropriate control steps agreed. We will be working closely with Lancashire County Council, a range of technical experts, and local communities to provide the necessary analysis and consultation. Arup has always believed in high quality community consultation, and there will be a number of opportunities for communities to be part of the process."

- Des Correia

Acoustics Bursary returns for 2013

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Arup's Acoustics Bursary is a global competition that recognises the importance of further study into acoustic design and engineering.

The Acoustics Bursary is open to students, graduates, post-graduates and people not currently in full-time employment. It provides funding for the applicant to present a paper related to the theme of room acoustics at a conference of their choice anywhere in the world in 2013/14. The award is to the value of US$3,500 and covers expenses associated with attending and presenting at the conference.

How to apply

Applications will only be accepted via theonline application form and will close at 1900 GMT Sunday 28 July 2013.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

Contact details
A recent CV / resume
A 1,000-word precise summary of the proposed research paper on a topic related to room acoustics
Details of the conference you wish to attend and present at.

The competition is open to entries from around the world, but all applications must be in English to be eligible.

The competition winner will be announced here on 22 September 2013.

Arup appointed to new Government Procurement Service framework

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Arup has been appointed to Government Procurement Service's (GPS) new ConsultancyONE framework.

As an official GPS supplier, Arup will offer management consultancy services to public sector organisations through the framework - reinforcing its position as a leading provider of consultancy services.

The ConsultancyONE framework will be used by central government departments, arm's length bodies and agencies, non-departmental public bodies, NHS bodies and local authorities. Other than by exception, central government may only use the framework for requirements valued between £100,000 and £2million, although the wider public sector is not subject to any value restrictions.

Under the ConsultancyONE Framework Agreement, Arup has been appointed to the following lots:
2.1: policy development and advice
2.2: organisational strategy
3.4: ICT
4.1: corporate finance

"The new ConsultancyONE framework provides an assurance that organisations will be procuring high-quality consultancy services in an overcrowded market. We look forward to helping support, guide and provide innovative solutions to the public sector over the next two years."

— Steven Lloyd, ConsultancyONE framework manager and Head of Transaction Advice, Arup

The GPS is an executive agency of the Cabinet Office. Its role is to provide procurement savings for the government and the UK public sector, including health, local government, devolved administrations, education and not-for-profit organisations.

For more information about the GPS and ConsultancyONE framework visit the GPS website.

Heathrow Terminal 2: one year to go

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

With 365 days to go before Heathrow's new £2.5bn Terminal 2 will open, Arup is working with Heathrow to ensure that the terminal will be fully functioning from day one.

As the UK's only hub airport, millions of people rely on Heathrow to connect them to the world. The new Terminal 2 building is designed specifically around the needs of the passenger and will transform the traveller experience. By the time the terminal opens for service, it will have undergone 182 trials and been tested by 14,000 people.

Over the next year Arup, together with Heathrow's operational readiness teams, will be trialling and testing terminal processes and equipment, and delivering familiarisation training for the 25,000 airport staff who will be working at the new terminal.

"Ensuring the smooth opening of a large terminal is a major undertaking and we're working closely with Heathrow to make certain that the transition of Terminal 2 from construction through to being fully operational has the minimum impact on passengers."

— Stephen Pollard, UKMEA Operational Performance Practice Leader, Arup

Terminal 2 marks the latest phase of an £11 billion transformation of Heathrow. The new Terminal 2 is one of the largest privately funded construction projects in the UK.

Heathrow's new £2.5bn Terminal 2 represents the next step in the airport's transformation following the opening of Terminal 5 in 2008. Around 35,000 people are expected to work on the project over its lifetime, with as many as 5,000 people on site at its peak.

"Terminal 2 will be spacious, light and airy, we are working to transform passengers' experience. Our goal is to make the journey of each individual passenger that flies to, from and through Heathrow better, within the size of the airport we have today. The new Terminal 2 has been designed to help ease all our passengers' journeys; however they choose to travel through the airport. Heathrow is changing for the better."

— Joan Buszewska, Operational Readiness Leader, Heathrow Airport Ltd

Terminal 2 will officially open its doors on 4 June 2014, with the first aircraft, a United Airlines flight from Chicago, scheduled to land at 05.55. Terminal 2 will eventually serve 20 million passengers a year and be home to 23 Star Alliance airlines, as well as Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic Little Red and germanwings carriers.

Delta Airlines terminal opens at JFK

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Arup and SOM collaborate to complete Phase 1 of the expansion of Terminal 4 at JFK Airport for Delta Air Lines.

The joint venture between Arup and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, known as ArupSOM, were delighted to attend the grand opening on 24 May 2013 of the new Terminal 4 for Delta Air Lines at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City. The new $1.2b terminal complex consolidates Delta's operations at JFK, allowing the airline to move out of aging facilities in Terminal 3 and improve the passenger experience for the estimated 11m Delta passengers who will pass through every year.

ArupSOM was the designer of the original Terminal 4 building, which opened in 2001. This latest project includes the expansion of Terminal 4's Concourse B and the addition of new security facilities. The redevelopment also features expanded shopping areas, the new 24,000ft² Delta Sky Club, and new domestic baggage claim facilities to speed the transfer of passengers from international to domestic flights. SOM, which has a long and productive history of work at JFK starting with the 1958 completion of the International Arrivals Building, was the lead planner and architect of the project, while we acted as the building and civil engineer.

This newest expansion continues to fulfill the original master plan for the terminal by strengthening support of operations within the context of the terminal's central column-free space, with its plentiful views and natural light.

We provided a full slate of services on this project, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering; civil engineering; acoustics consulting; fire and life safety code consulting; geotechnical engineering; information technology and communications consulting; security consulting; integration management, and commissioning. SOM was the lead planner and architect for the Terminal 4 expansion.

Flight path images map global travel

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Arup has created a series of visualisations of global flight paths to identify trends and connections between continents worldwide.

Michael Markieta, a transport planner in Arup's Toronto office, has spent the past year developing the flight paths which give a striking visual snapshot of how the world is connected. The stunning images map over 58,000 flight paths to track movement and identify major aviation hubs such as central Europe and eastern United States.

"By identifying patterns and connections, we can start to identify ways to help people to live and work together more effectively. Using GIS technology we've been able to provide the aviation industry with a very clean and simple way to identify potential opportunities for growth and look at how to adapt to better face the future."

— Michael Markieta, Transport Planner, Arup

Arup used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to collect data for more than 58,000 global flight paths, available from open-source project www.openflights.org.

These images have already sparked interest from the international press, including Daily Mail online, BBC News online and MSN UK News.

Revitalisation key to new Dudley Square

Thu, 30 May 2013 18:01:00 GMT

Arup's engineering expertise helps Sasaki Associates, in collaboration with the architecture firm Mecanoo, and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino achieve a critical component of the Dudley Square Vision.

The Dudley Square Municipal Office Facility project is meant to be a catalyst for development in Roxbury, MA, a once-thriving urban neighbourhood. Designed to be the new 215,000ft² headquarters for the Boston Public School system, housing more than 500 employees, the structure will preserve and incorporate the iconic Ferdinand Furniture building, an emblem of the square's historic commercial vitality. The design also incorporates the historic Curtis and Waterman buildings, and unites their façades with new construction. The restored Ferdinand, Curtis, and Waterman buildings will maintain the existing feel and scale of Dudley Square, and the new building will add a powerful modern aesthetic.

"The centerpiece of our revitalization efforts in Dudley will be the creation of Boston's next great public building, here in the heart of the square."

—Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

Designed by Sasaki Architects, in collaboration with the architecture firm Mecanoo, the facility incorporates the historic façades with an entirely new masonry and glass structure. To support the achievement of the architects' design, Arup composed a complex structure that enabled the weaving together of new and existing façades. We devised load transferring elements that fulfill the architects' vision of a column-free lobby and a generous staircase. Five floors of weight above the lobby are conveyed to the perimeter with more than 30 tons of steel beams.The Green Communities Act, enacted in 2008, requires new projects in Massachusetts to exceed the base energy code by at least 20%. To achieve these goals, Arup increased the new façade's envelope performance to offset deficits of the historic facades. Working closely with the architects, Arup tested numerous energy models to create the most energy-efficient design. The active chilled beam system chosen requires smaller ductwork that fits the lower ceiling heights of the historic sections, and allows Arup to optimise coordination across multiple floors with varying ceiling heights.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to engage with the local community and make a substantial contribution to the recovery of the square. With the involvement of the community and leadership of the city, we look forward to helping to restore Dudley Square to a place of prominence as a commercial, cultural, and social focal point of Boston."

—S. Fiske Crowell, Jr., FAIA, Sasaki principal-in-charge.

The Dudley Square Municipal Office Facility is currently targeting LEED Silver certification. Arup is providing structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and information technology engineering services.

Arup wins top Structural Excellence
Award

Thu, 30 May 2013 09:09:00 GMT

Arup-engineered Imperial Cullinan has won the Grand Award in the Hong Kong Projects category at the Structural Excellence Awards 2013.

Organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers/The Institution of Structural Engineers Joint Structural Division, the award scheme recognises excellence in structural engineering and achievement by structural engineers in Hong Kong.

A luxury residential development at the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, Imperial Cullinan comprises five towers atop a 6-storey podium with a 3-storey basement. Arup provided structural and geotechnical engineering design for this development. The building structure was carefully designed, taking into consideration of the works sequence, to improve construction safety and efficiency.

Arup engineers took an innovative approach using sheet pile walls and a sophisticated preloaded steel truss system in the excavation of the 14m deep basement, to control the movement and settlement of the surrounding sensitive ground, water mains and other utilities. The top-down basement and fast-track superstructure construction was achieved without using the conventional method of constructing a diaphragm wall. This resulted in a saving of 7,700m³ of concrete, eight months of construction time and the associated cost, and also a substantial reduction in carbon footprint.

A post-tensioned transfer plate was used to provide support for the residential towers, which significantly reduced the reinforcement content required. Precast construction was also used to reduce wastage and the environmental impact on the surrounding residents.

Presidio Parkway wins "Structural Project of the Year" award

Wed, 29 May 2013 19:58:00 GMT

Presidio Parkway's Southbound Battery Tunnel and Temporary Bypass won Structural Project of the Year at the 24th Annual California Transportation Foundation Transportation Awards.

In honour of this achievement, members of the project team were presented the award on 23 May 2013. Conducted annually, the California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Transportation Awards recognise excellence in California transportation, all modes, both public and private sector and from all regions of the state.

Along with Arup, the winning project team members include:

Caltrans District 4
San Francisco Transportation Authority
Parsons Brinckerhoff
The Presidio Trust
Pendergast Consulting Group
Envirosurvey
CirclePoint
R&L Brosmar

"The Transportation Awards jury, made up of public and private sector transportation professionals, reviewed 118 nominations this year. Our selections represent the best of the projects, programs and people who made a positive difference for California transportation in 2012."

—Sarah West, CTF Executive Director.

The Presidio Parkway Project—also known as the Doyle Drive Replacement Project—is a complete replacement of San Francisco's primary access to the Golden Gate Bridge. Arup is leading a joint venture with PB Americas, Inc. to provide engineering services as part of an integrated team with the California Department of Transportation. Arup will contribute roadway design, drainage design, utility design, structural design (bridges and cut-and-cover tunnels), tunnel systems design, environmental compliance and mitigation, extensive landscaping, site investigations and geotechnical engineering. Arup is also providing transaction advice services on the project.