News

Deterioration and detailing deficiencies present an ongoing challenge when assessing existing reinforced concrete structures. To investigate this problem further, CIRG member Michele recently performed a study which looked to understand bond in the context of differing confinement conditions such as cover depth and the presence of transverse reinfo…

Applications have recently opened for the EPSRC FIBE2 CDT PhD studentship with Costain: Performance-Based Concrete as a Route for CO2 reduction. A robust digital evidence base for accurate prediction and measurement of concrete performance coupled with strategies to incentivise performance-based design are fundamental strands to overcome the challe…

Given that FRP materials are generally more costly and demand greater energy use during production, it is important to understand if the benefits of FRP such as increased performance, outweigh these drawbacks. To achieve this, CIRG member Philipp Preinstorfer recently performed a parametric design study, assessing the global warming potential and m…

In June, Philipp, Hasini and Jess of the CIRG attended the fib International Congress 2022: Concrete Innovation for Sustainability in Oslo. The conference was a great display of new and exciting research in concrete and sustainability, and a fantastic opportunity to meet world-leaders in concrete research and academia. Jess presented her paper titl…

In May, Michele and Jess of the CIRG attended the IABSE Symposium Prague 2022: Challenges for Existing and Oncoming Structures (https://iabse.org/prague2022). The conference showcased some of the best new technology in infrastructure design and maintenance, with both academics and industry professionals coming together to discuss challenges and sol…

Representatives from across the Costain business visited the CIRG at the University of Cambridge in May to discuss and align interests. The day was also an opportunity to develop the relationship that Costain and the CIRG have had over recent years. Dr Jenny Burridge of the Concrete Centre opened proceedings with an introductory talk “How can we ge…

Hasini Weerasinghe was awarded the HRH Prince of Wales Commonwealth Scholarship in 2019, as part of an offer to complete her PhD studies at the University of Cambridge with the Concrete Infrastructure Research Group. Hasini described the recent opportunity to meet His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as “a great honour”, and the opportunity to st…

Michele’s PhD thesis received a Recognition Award in the Engineering Sciences category at the 10th edition of the Doctoral Researcher Awards (DRA). The award ceremony was held remotely on 11 September 2021.The thesis titled ‘Deterioration and Cracking in Reinforced Concrete Bridges’ focussed on the strength assessment of deteriorated bridges. The u…

Welcome to Dr Philipp Preinstorfer, who has recently joined the CIRG as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow. He joins us from the structural concrete research team of TU Wien, where he previously worked as a Postdoc having received his doctoral degree in 2019 on a contribution to the splitting failure mode in textile-reinforced concrete.Ph…

On November 18th-19th the fib Italy Young Members Group hosted the second Symposium on Concrete and Concrete structures in Rome - a city famous for its concrete, both ancient and modern. Two of the group members, Postdoc Michele and PhD student Jess, attended the conference to present their work, accompanied by PhD student Hasini [pictured below, l…

Callum White has recently joined the CIRG as an MRes+PhD student, supported by Costain. Callum is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Infrastructure and Built Environment (FIBE2 CDT). His research focuses on immediate cement reduction, improving data and information flow within the context of the concrete supply chain and devel…

Many congratulations to CIRG team members Rachel Fallow and Melissa Nash who both won project presentation prizes at the June 2021 Cambridge 'Civils' Conference for Civil Engineering MEng students, staff and industry sponsors.  Rachel spoke about her work on the bond strength of steel reinforcement in functionally graded concrete whereas Melissa de…

Well done to Hasini Weerasinghe and Jess Forsdyke who had papers accepted for publication and presentation at the fib Symposium 2021 held from June 14-16, 2021.  Both Hasini and Jess pre-recorded their presentations and then discussed their work during live online question and answer sessions. So while an online event is not quite the same as the o…

Hasini Weerasinghe presented a summary of her 1st year PhD work at a Structures Seminar organized by the University of Cambridge Structures Research Group on 20th November 2021. Hasini and Danielle Van Gilst delivered online presentations during the seminar. Hasini’s research focuses on aggregate interlock action in reinforced concrete beams with …

2nd year PhD student, Jess Forsdyke, will present at the Cambridge Zero Symposium: Transport, Cities & Infrastructure on March 3rd. Humans consume concrete in such massive quantities it is second only to water. It is used globally in construction due to its wide material availability, enabling construction of complex and impressive structures for w…