Professor Norman Jones and Dr Graham Schleyer from the University of Liverpool, School of Engineering, recently delivered two short courses on impact and blast resistant design methods at the Wessex Institute of Technology to a group of participants from industry, research and government backgrounds. These courses are designed to equip professional engineers and researchers with the tools and methods to analyse and better understand problems in industry associated with large dynamic loads produced by a variety of sources, typically structural impact and explosions.The first course was aimed at introducing the fundamental concepts, principles and simplified methods of analysis. The second expanded a little on the content of the first but mainly explored the treatment of more complex structural systems and applications. Practical design examples and case studies were used throughout with reference to commonly used design manuals and codes of practice. Hands-on sessions were included to allow delegates to solve problems using spreadsheet analysis tools. The material presented applied to structural crashworthiness, explosion mitigation, hazards evaluation and safety calculations throughout the civil, mechanical, nuclear, transportation, petrochemical and process industries.
The presenters are internationally recognised and accomplished in their field with experience in research and teaching over many years. Professor Norman Jones FREng, recently retired as AA Griffith Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Impact Research Centre at the University of Liverpool, has conducted theoretical, numerical and experimental studies over the past 40 years into the dynamic behaviour of structures and systems. His distinguished career and wealth of knowledge and experience is captured in some 300 journal articles, and in his book ‘Structural Impact’ which is used on the course.
Dr Schleyer FIMechE is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering and a member of the Impact Research Centre at the University of Liverpool, having worked previously for several years in the gas industry and for shorter periods with leading research and technology companies in the UK and the US. He has published widely in journals, conference proceedings, and government and industry reports.
The participants especially appreciated the broad overview of methods presented, the practical worked examples and the easy-to-follow course notes as well as the opportunity to interact with others on the course. The next course is scheduled for 25-29 June 2012.
Wessex Institute