Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

It has been a busy and interesting couple of months with Michael Barclay Partnership in London. I’ve committed a couple of weeks to learning AutoDesk’s structural modelling software, Robot, amongst other design work. It has been somewhat frustrating to get the hang of, since the slightest fault in the model can cause the model to terminate the analysis. This means you need to de-construct the model to find the fault. This can be exceptionally wasteful of time. The software also crashes inexplicably so you can lose a lot of work if you don’t save regularly!

Modelling Cabul Road

The key principles when modelling with Robot are therefore to:

1. simplify your structure as far as possible
2. only model what you need
3. verify and mesh the structure as you go
4. know what results you need and what they should look like
5. save regularly

Progress on the Cabul Road redevelopment project is ongoing, but somewhat slow. Planning permission is still outstanding and it is likely now that changes to the massing of some units will be required. I have completed a prelim structural scheme, outline demolition drawings, temporary works design to retain a terraced gable wall that will be exposed with the demolition of 4 properties. I’ve also designed the two new large roof structures in structural steel. The project also requires significant underpinning to the existing structure and party walls. I have had to research and learn about the Party Wall Act and what the responsibilities of the developer are. I also understand about Demolition Notices and the Planning Procedure. Other interesting points on this project has been to determine the disproportionate collapse class (the fifth floor of the flats is less than 50% of the total area), basement waterproofing strategy, positioning of movement joints and structural floor choice.

21 Cabul Road

I have also been involved in some other projects. One of these is Albion House, in Woking. It is a disastrously ugly and unsightly 9 floor tower next to the train station. The client’s aspiration is to redevelop the tower and maximise net lettable space, either by removing one of two stairwells, or placing another storey on the roof. The advice that I have been able to provide with MBP is shaping how the clients are costing the alternative business cases. More work is to follow on this one.

Albion House, Woking

Michael Barclay Partnership support UCL and I’ve become involved in a mentoring scheme.  As part of this I am mentoring a 4th year Masters student who is undertaking their design project.  It has so far been an interesting and enlightening experience into mentoring.

In other news, I managed to pour a whole mug of hot tea into my lap whilst in a client meeting last Monday. I then had to spend the next 15 minutes drying my trousers under a hand dryer in the loos! And to cap it off when I ran home on Thursday I tripped and impaled my right hand on some spiked railings! I then spent three hours in A&E and the whole of Friday getting surgery. I’m now sat at home with my hand stitched and bandaged like a boxer!

 Here are the railings.

The question is, why are there spikes on a guardrail at hand level? It is all rather inexplicable to me! To frustrate me more, having paid PAX personal injury insurance for years since my wound wasn’t from a knife, blast or bullet I don’t get bugger all from them!!! Thanks.

I hope your week was better than mine!