A number of your projects have incorporated cutting edge technical input with comprehensive support from academia . How do you see the role of academia best incorporated into project work ?
As practical designers we put theory into practise . The biggest support to Arup by academia has been Prof . Niels Gimsing who in his academic work has addressed down to earth engineering issues . Consultants need to be aware of latest research such as in analytical techniques , materials and actively work with academics to apply them to actual projects .
Do you have a preference for working directly for the client or as part of a design build team ? Why ?
It is obviously preferable to work directly for a client as it gives more time to research and explore various options and discuss this in detail with the client before deciding on a chosen option that is best value for money .
In a design and build situation time is constrained and approach to design is necessarily based on minimum cost which may not always result in an aesthetically pleasing design .
Can you comment on the change in bridge technology over your career ? What do you see has been the most significant technical advance ?
The most significant technological advance in bridge engineering has been long span cable- stay bridges . With projected advancements in high strength steels , composite materials and stay cable technology it is probable that cable-stay bridges will be built in the 1300-1400m span range .
How do you find balance between creativity and experience ? Between skills and innovation ? I mean that when something new is needed to be created , it is sometimes necessary to get free from traditional and proved , to find new ways and methods .
Civil Engineering is a conservative profession and infrastructure projects like bridges are generally public sector projects where value for money is the predominant factor and hence clients are risk averse to new ideas .
However with advances in technology , incremental advances and innovative ideas can be acceptable to clients . Every site is unique so there is opportunity to create something new that fits the site and will be acceptable to the client .
A lot of questions to you concern utilisation of modern materials – composites , kevlar etc .:
What are your views on innovation with new high strength materials such as composite fibre products ?
This is sort of covered above in change in bridge technology .
Higher strength steels and lightweight composite materials are going to see major advancements in super long span suspension bridges as envisaged for the E39 project in Norway . Another major innovation is going to be tension-leg foundations in very deep water where it is possible that composite material cables could be used .
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