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Civil Engineering/Faculty Project: Metallic construction over concrete ones.

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Expert: - 10/28/2007


Question
Hello. I am a Civil Engineering student, and I have to make a small presentation of a Metallic structure and also name the reason why this kind of a structure was chosen over a classic reinforced concrete one.
I've searched all over the internet, but I can't find any well explained projects. Can you, please guide me, in finding such a project?
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Sebastian,

A simple example of where a steel structure is better than concrete is for long-span trusses or portal frames for warehouses etc. This is because steel is lightweight and very good in tension, as well as compression, whilst concrete is best only in compression.

If you type the above two words (truss and portal frames) in Google, you should get lots of examples.

Hope that helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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