Howard Steel Lecture: Trimming the Structural ‘Fat’: The Carbon Cost of Over-design in Bridges

Description

In this presentation, Bob Handley introduces the Howard Steel Lecture, a platform designed to provide insights from non-orthopedic surgeons, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in the medical field. He highlights a bridge-building competition involving four groups, indicating a focus on engineering principles amidst orthopedic discussions. The speaker, Ollie Budd, a chartered civil engineer from COWI, is welcomed to the stage to discuss the carbon footprint associated with overdesign in bridge construction, under the theme "trimming the structural fat."



Ollie's talk explores his background as an engineer and his motivation to create impactful structures that benefit society. He shares examples of significant projects he has worked on, including upgrades to dilapidated areas and the design of large infrastructure like the Old Oak Common station in London. Throughout his lecture, he addresses the pressing issue of reducing carbon emissions within the construction industry, highlighting materials like steel and cement that have substantial environmental impacts.



He mentions the technologies and strategies needed to achieve lower carbon footprints in future construction projects, such as efficient design practices, innovative materials, and sustainable engineering methods.



The lecture culminates with a tribute to Howard Steel, emphasizing the need for creativity and fresh perspectives in engineering designs. With examples from recent engineering advancements, Ollie advocates for the responsible use of materials and the importance of assessing carbon emissions at early design stages. Bob concludes the session by presenting Ollie with the Howard Steel medal, recognizing his contributions to the field.

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