SPAN

Did you know that the oldest timber building has been standing for more than 1300 years? Or that the tallest tree is taller than the Stature of Liberty? Or that mass timber can sustain load for longer than steel during a fire? There are so many environmental, structural, and health benefits to using timber in our structures... Join us today in Part 1 of our episode on sawn and mass timber to learn...

Join us for our first natter episode. The natter series has a few bloopers and bits of the chit-chat Ellie and I have while recording. Nothing serious, we catch up, laugh a lot and think we’re funnier than we probably are! Please have a listen and let us know. Send any comments to spanatter.contact@gmail.com or use the Q&A box in the podcast description. Happy listening!

In 1981, the collapse of two pedestrian walkways at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City resulted in one of the most devastating structural failures in U.S. history in terms of loss of life and injury. This tragic event highlighted the critical need for peer review and independent checks during design and construction. In this episode, we explore the causes of the collapse and the lessons learne...

Climate change due to global warming is one of the major crises of our time. The construction industry contributes significantly to carbon emissions globally, which means that structural and civil engineers are well placed to effect change and drive towards a net zero world. In this episode, we discuss key concepts in sustainability and climate change and their interpretation and implementation in...

As a structural engineer, you are legally required to provide functional and safe designs. Depending on where you are, there are particular codes/standards you can use to meet this legal requirement. In this episode, we consider the UK and cover these standards (Eurocodes), regulations (Building Regulations and the Construction, Design and Management Regulations), and the design philosophy behind...

Ever wondered how reinforced concrete came to be? Reinforced concrete is a versatile and ubiquitous material in the construction industry for its strength, durability and fire resistance. In this episode, we cover the history of reinforced concrete (in Ellie's dramatic narration) and discuss why it is such a prevalent material. We also touch on decarbonisation of concrete but we will continue...

Civil engineering isn’t a subject taught at school, it can feel like a leap of faith to study it at university; what if it’s not for you? As it happens, a civil engineering degree is one of the most versatile programmes you can undertake - with possible future careers ranging from acoustic designer, fire safety consultant and forensic engineer, to finance, media and education! This episode is a do...

Ronan Point’s partial collapse was a turning point for the industry as it brought disproportionate collapse and the need for redundancy to the picture. Built using the Large Panel System (LPS), Ronan Point is an unfortunate example of why new systems should be rigorously assessed. We cover the inherent flaws of the LPS, what initiated the collapse on the day, and how the industry changed following...

The Vajont dam disaster is one of Italy’s worst disasters. Dams provide critical water supply and renewable energy, but can cause catastrophic loss when they fail. This dam disaster is peculiar as the dam structure did not fail and is still standing today. It highlights though that our structures do not exist in a vacuum, and their impact on the environment  they are placed in and vice versa are c...

Form is influenced by function, forces, and therefore the material which makes that form matters! Today we discuss the different types of materials typically used in construction, their properties, and their advantages and disadvantages. Send in any comments to spanatter.contact@gmail.com or use the Q&A box in the podcast description.

What does a structure’s form/shape have to do with its efficiency in carrying load? Find out in this episode and get to hear of Ellie’s love for curves and arches...again! Let us know what you think. Should form inform function or vice versa? Send in any comments to spanatter.contact@gmail.com or use the Q&A box in the podcast description.

What is a force? Why are forces so important? In the Structural Behaviour series, we will discuss fundamental principles and concepts underpinning structural behaviour. Join us in this episode as we discuss what forces are, their types, and why we design against them. How a structure behaves is determined significantly by the types of forces acting on it. Capturing accurately the nature and magnit...

The career corner series is all about platforming educational and career development resources, tips, and experience.  In this episode, we share our tips on choosing the right course and university to fit you, writing your application, and finding funding. We mention a number of resources and initiatives in this episode, so visit our Instagram to access the links. Happy listening and good luck if...

We kick off our 'Learning from failure' series with the prominent Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The bridge was nicknamed 'Galloping Gertie' due to its torsional vibration deformation induced by wind. We cover why the bridge failed and how this failure has transformed the industry today. Thanks for joining us! Send in any comments to spanatter.contact@gmail.com or use the Q&A box in th...

Welcome to SPAN! In this Episode, we (Janet and Ellie) introduce ourselves with the help of some cheesy structural engineering themed ice breakers, share our career paths to date, and the content you can expect from us on this podcast. Thanks for joining us! Send in any comments to spanatter.contact@gmail.com or use the Q&A box in the podcast description.