Flooding

Flooding
Parts of the North East have a history of serious flooding. Improvements need to be made, but there are a
number of issues holding back an overall reduction in the region’s risk of flooding: lack of funding, lack of
available design resources due to a skills shortage, and legislation that does not go far enough to coordinate
and govern a regional solution.
Ullswater Gardens, South Shields                                
Both the North East and the UK as a whole need
to address flood risk in order to reduce damage
to property and danger to life, in addition to
improving quality of life for many people who
live in areas under threat of flooding. Although        
the North East is not the worst region in the
UK in terms of flooding problems, there are a
number of high profile flood alleviation schemes.
In addition, the region is a world leader in using
detailed analytical techniques to develop climate
change strategies.
North East - flooding problems in
the region
It is estimated from the Environment Agency’s
(EA) Catchment Flood Management Plan
and from Northumbrian Water information
that more than 50,000 people in the North
East region are at 1% risk of flooding per
annum from sources such as rivers, sewers,
groundwater and surface water.
Although it is getting worse, flooding is not
a new phenomenon. Historically the North
East has seen a number of large river flooding
events in towns such as Morpeth, Bishop
Auckland, Rothbury, Gosforth and Hexham.
Morpeth was in the news in September 2008
when over 1,000 properties were inundated
with water, and has suffered a number of
major flooding events in the past, especially
in 1963 and 1968. Elsewhere in the region,
Barnard Castle flooded relatively frequently
until Cow Green reservoir was constructed in
the late 1960s to control flows in the upper
Tees Valley.
Due to a recent escalation in the number of
intense summer storms, there has been a large
increase in flooding from public sewers since
the summer of 2005. In the period 2005 to
2008, Northumbrian Water estimates that just
over 2,500 properties in the region suffered
internal flooding from sewage that escaped
from the public sewerage system.
A number of flood relief schemes have been
constructed by the Environment Agency,
Northumbrian Water and local authorities in
recent years. These organisations estimate
that their overall investment will exceed £100m
for the period 2005-2010. In addition to this
investment, organisations have been working
together with Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on two large
studies at Hartlepool and North Ouseburn
in Newcastle. These two schemes are pilot
studies to determine how different bodies
can work together in order to gain a greater
understanding of the complex issue of floods.
Causes of flooding
The recent flooding in the North East highlights
some of the problems faced by thousands of
homes and businesses across the UK in areas
at risk of flooding.
The main cause of flooding in the region is
river and coastal water. Information on flood
risk from these sources can be found on the
Environment Agency website in the form of
flood risk maps. These show the statistical
likelihood of flooding, but do not give any
information about speed of flooding or flood
routes, etc. A number of river catchments in
the North East have very short lead-in times
or “flashy” catchments e.g. Morpeth and
Hexham, where the time between heavy rain
starting and the water levels rising significantly
is only a couple of hours.
Flooding to homes and other properties due
to rising groundwater levels, or overland flows
caused by topography or inadequate surface
water management can be equally devastating.
In addition to storm water, sewer flooding
is exacerbated by overloading due to
overdevelopment and paving over permeable
areas, for example turning grassed front
gardens to hard surfaced driveways. A
nationwide study undertaken by the Royal
Horticultural Society in 2006 found that almost
a quarter of front gardens in the North-East of
England are now completely paved, with 47%
of front gardens being more than 75% paved
with impermeable materials. This encourages
large volumes of rainwater to enter drainage
networks more rapidly. Although new planning
regulations now require permission for new
impermeable areas or driveways over 5m²,
Newcastle Town Moor from the A189 Grandstand Road
generally there is weak legislation to manage
surface water drainage.
Sewer maintenance as a cause is also
underestimated. Although the latest Ofwat
assessment of sewer serviceability remains
at “stable” for both infrastructure and noninfrastructure
in the North East, property owners
are currently responsible for maintenance of the
sewers within their own boundary.
Properties are still being developed in areas at
risk of flooding, therefore flood risk must be
considered at the earliest stages of a scheme
so that it can be reduced by planning and
design. Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25),
the government’s policy on development and
flood risk, is meant to help direct development
away from areas at high risk of flooding.
Conversely, the government announced its
support earlier this year for continuing to allow
increased house building in flood hazard areas
on economic grounds.
Raising awareness
A more integrated approach to flood risk
management is required where engineers
can link openly, comfortably and directly with
communities under threat. People should be
given the ‘real story’ - that it will never be
possible to protect everything. Engineers must
better explain what risk means, and that the
possibility of flooding exists every day, not just
once every sixty or a hundred years. The positive
news is that it is certainly possible to lower the
risk of flooding significantly, and to reduce the
impact of any flooding that does occur.
Sharing information
A lot has already been achieved by the
numerous (maybe too numerous) organisations
with responsibility for dealing with flooding to
engage and inform the public. Many initiatives
including multi-agency emergency plans, public
resilience/resistance coaching, and mitigation
advice exist. Emergency and maintenance
plans should be shared with the public more
visibly. If access to this information was
improved, people would be better equipped
to make informed decisions about their own
lives. Communities must emerge from this
engagement process educated, strong and
ready to take positive action.
The engineer’s role
Equipped with knowledge, skills and
expertise civil engineers are at the heart of
this engagement process. However, there are
technical limits to what can be done, and
civil engineers can only harness or manage
the environment, not control it. This message
should be delivered to the public to raise
awareness and manage often unrealistic
expectations. With the right legislation,
funding and skills, we can do more to protect
properties from flooding. There are a number
of high profile flood alleviation schemes in the
region which show this.
Time for action
In 2004, the government published The
Foresight Report, which estimated that annual
damages due to flooding and coastal erosion
could rise from £1.4bn a year to £27bn a year
by 2080. It also suggested that these damages
could be reduced by between 40% and 70%
through risk management activities.
Following the devastating floods in the
summer of 2007, the government appointed
Sir Michael Pitt to review the process of
flood risk management, identify shortfalls
and provide recommendations to improve
the process. He gave 92 recommendations
which he felt should be implemented as soon
as possible, with major initiatives completed
by the end of 2010. The Pitt Review was
addressed to local authorities, local resilience
forums, providers of essential services, insurers
and others, the general public and government
offices and covered six main themes:
■ Knowing when and where it will flood
■ Improved planning and reducing the risk of
flooding and its impact
■ Being rescued and cared for in an
emergency
■ Maintaining power and water supplies and
protecting essential services
■ Better advice and helping people to protect
their families and homes
■ Staying healthy and speeding up recovery
The overall thrust of the recommendations
was that a much more integrated approach
Hexham, courtesy of the Environment Agency
Ullswater Gardens, South Shields
is required for flood risk management,
requiring changes in legislation to provide
clarity, especially in terms of the roles and
responsibilities of key operating authorities.
The government responded in December 2008
with resounding support of the Pitt Review’s
findings.
The Institution of Civil Engineers also
produced a report entitled Flooding:
Engineering Resilience, which can be viewed
at the following link: www.ice.org.uk/
downloads/2008_flooding.pdf
The Floods and Water Bill, due for consultation
later this year, is anticipated to address the
shortfalls identified by Pitt in order to allow
more efficient management of flood risk.
www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/
floodsandwaterbill.htm
Although there is a price to pay for better flood
management, all of the recommendations
outlined in the Pitt Review have a net cost
benefit, i.e. the cost of implementation will
be far less than that of repairing the damage
that is likely if no action is taken. At present,
this implementation cost is seen as the major
hurdle that must be overcome if the operating
authorities are to take up the challenges that
are presented to them.
www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/floods07/
Govtresptopitt.pdf
The way forward
Engineers have a key role to play in reducing
flood risk, developing solutions and engaging
with the public.
A range of techniques exists for flood
alleviation, such as better management of
surface water at source and the attenuation
of peak flows, as well as the more traditional
approaches of increasing sewer capacity or
providing flood defences for rivers and
coastal waters.
There is an obligation on everyone involved in
flood risk management to find more sustainable
solutions to flooding problems and to look
more widely to ensure that new development
does not increase flood risk elsewhere. This
approach needs to be more strongly supported
through the planning system. Even with
PPS25 in existence, it is apparent that too
much development is taking place without
addressing all flood risk issues. Opportunities
to reduce flood risk through redevelopment
and regeneration schemes, of which there are
several in the North East, are also potentially
being missed due to lack of enforcement of
sustainability principles.
The effective management of surface water must
be a central theme in any urban development
or redevelopment and should be enforceable
through statutory powers. Much better use
needs to be made of landscaping features to
reduce and attenuate surface runoff. Features
could be permeable paving, soft landscaping or
attenuation ponds. Drainage systems need to be
designed so that when capacity is exceeded, any
resultant flooding impacts are understood and
managed appropriately. This can be achieved by
containing excess flows within the highway and
directing them away from property toward less
critical areas.
A catchment approach needs to be adopted
with solutions in locations that are remote
from areas at risk from flooding, such as
surface water storage upstream of at risk
areas. In the upper reaches of catchments,
terracing of open slopes, tree planting and wet
grassland areas can provide storage areas and
delay the time it takes for rain water to enter
drainage networks. By carrying out these land
use changes sympathetically flood control
can be made sustainable with benefits for
landowners as well as the public. Controlling
surface water at source and providing
sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) to
reduce downstream impacts should become
standard practice, and this will require the
various stakeholders including local authorities,
water companies and the Environment Agency
to work together more closely. In many
urban areas an integrated approach will be
required that considers flood risk from sewers,
watercourses and other components of the
drainage system together. This needs to be
backed by strong legislation to define clearly
the lines of responsibility and funding for
construction and future maintenance.
The knowledge and technical skills to deliver
such an approach exist in the North East,
although there is generally a skills shortage in
Dutch retrofitted Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)
ICE North East
Room 3.13, Cassie Building
School of Civil Engineering and
Geosciences
Newcastle University
Claremont Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
t +44 (0)191 261 1850
e irene.hurley@ice.org.uk
ice-northeast.org.uk

the UK. The main obstacles to achieving it lie
in the division of responsibilities and funding
for dealing with flooding and drainage, and
with the weaknesses in the planning process
in relation to flood risk. We want to see these
shortcomings addressed in future legislation.
Progress in the region
SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS
(SWMP)
Findings from urban drainage pilot studies
carried out in Hartlepool and Newcastle have
helped to inform Defra’s guidance on SWMPs.
Surface water run-off contributes significantly
to the flooding of property when surface water
flows exceed the capacity of the drainage
system. SWMPs are aimed at diverting surface
water run-off away from the sewerage
system and into local drainage areas, either in
drainage ponds or through permeable surfaces.
Local authorities are to take the lead role in
implementing SWMPs with guidance offered
by Defra. Six local authorities are being funded
by Defra to help develop first edition SWMPs.
NORTHUMBRIA REGIONAL FLOOD
DEFENCE COMMITTEE (NRFDC)
The NRFDC has been funding small scale
projects in the region aimed at developing
innovative engineering approaches to local
flood defence problems. For example £650,000
is being used to create a series of small
storage ponds and wetlands upstream of the
town of Belford in north Northumberland.
The partly completed scheme successfully
reduced the impact of the same storm event
which hit Morpeth in September 2008. The
project aims to develop a toolkit of options so
that techniques can be used elsewhere in the
country. (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
news/101203.aspx) Similar schemes are to be
undertaken in 2009/10 in different parts of the
region. The committee also works with schools
and businesses to raise awareness of climate
change and its impact on future flood risk.
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
State of the art research is being carried out
at Newcastle University, modelling the risk of
flooding using a numerical model to produce
catchment scale 3D simulations of flood
events. The information gained will enable
stakeholders to identify and prioritise resources
to help reduce the future risk of flooding. The
research is funded through the Flood Risk
Management Research Consortium (FRMRC)
and is expected to be completed in 2011.
www.ceg.ncl.ac.uk/research/water/projects/
adaptive.htm
CLIMATE CHANGE
North East Climate Change Partnership
commissioned a study in April 2008 in
response to the threat of climate change.
This report will look at the impact of climate
change up to 2050, what should be done to
adapt, and recommend actions to be taken
now for the future. North East England is the
first region in the world to use such a detailed
analytical technique to develop climate
change adaptation strategies. The high level
of detail in the study will enable organisations
and businesses from the public, private and
voluntary sector to respond more confidently
when identifying what they need to do to
adapt to our changing climate.
www.northeastassembly.gov.uk/page.
asp?id=99.
The region’s aims
In addition to dedicated funding to tackle
flood alleviation schemes, we would
welcome a government amendment to
building regulations to ensure that all new
or refurbished buildings in high flood-risk
areas are flood resistant or resilient, and
that development does not increase risk
of flooding (e.g. by paving over previously
permeable areas). The government is currently
considering these requirements and how best
“flood performance” could be included within
amended building regulations. This may open
up the opportunity to provide green roofs and
purpose-built storage systems alongside flood
resilience and resistance measures.
www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/
surfacewaterdrainage.htm
Morpeth Floods, courtesy of the Environment Agency

Connected traffic system for emergency responders demonstrated

Summary : A prototype "smart drive" connected traffic system that can clear red light signals and warn of traffic tie-ups has been completed.



A live demonstration of the MCDOT SmartDrive traffic management system in Anthem, Ariz. included a live display of the 2.3-mile stretch of Daisy Mountain Drive used for the field test of the system.

The small but new community of Anthem, just north of Phoenix, has the potential to become the nation's leader in traffic safety technology. The north Maricopa Valley community is the test site for a new, federally-funded and state-supported traffic management system that, if successful, would not only protect emergency vehicles from colliding with traffic during rapid response, but would enable them to "talk" to each other and prioritize each other's routes to an emergency incident.

The MCDOT SmartDrive program -- developed through a partnership between the University of Arizona, the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, the community of Anthem and others -- could also be expanded to give city buses, special needs vehicles, and other mass transportation providers a clear path through traffic tie-ups in near-real time.

A live demonstration of the MCDOT SmartDrive system in April 2012 included equipping several street intersections and vehicles in Anthem with system components to demonstrate the capabilities of the system to manage emergency vehicles during a mock incident response. Traffic signals at six intersections along a 2.3-mile stretch of Daisy Mountain Drive were retrofitted with components that allow the signals to "talk" to not only each other, but with at least two other emergency vehicles involved in the demonstration. The SmartDrive system uses a combination of short range radios, WiFi and Bluetooth to maintain connection.

When the incident alert alarm was given to the system, it began clearing a path of green lights for the mock emergency vehicle -- in this case, a Valley Metro bus loaded with demonstration observers -- while at the same time disclosing the location of the vehicle to coordinators and other vehicles connected to the system. Traffic detection and data collection software were used to display the data live to observers.

Individual emergency vehicles can "talk" to each other via the SmartDrive system, receiving real time information during an incident response and assigning priority right of way to fire trucks, police vehicles or ambulances, depending on the circumstances of the individual incident. "It's the capability to talk to several responding vehicles at once that makes this traffic system unique, and is the focus of our research," said Larry Head, associate professor of systems and industrial engineering at the University of Arizona College of Engineering.

Operators of vehicles in the system would know which lanes are closed, and could select alternate routes to more efficiently reach emergencies, or to find a clear outbound corridor to say, a hospital or other emergency services destination. If additional emergency vehicles are heading in the direction of the incident, they would be able to find the fastest routes through traffic, Head said.

Assisting in the system research are UA engineering graduate student Jun Ding, who is studying for both his masters in systems engineering and his PhD in electrical and computer engineering, and Wei Wu, a visiting scholar from Tonghi University in Shanghi China.

The MCDOT SmartDrive test site in Anthem is part of a larger, federal research initiative called ITS, or Intelligent Transportation Systems program. It gets support from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of a broader series of research initiatives that would eventually connect all vehicles involved in surface transportation together to maximize safety, increase ground mobility, and decrease environmental impact. A second national test site in California is operated by the California Department of Transportation, or CALTRANS.

The SmartDrive system technology has another beneficial application that's also in the works: increasing city bus efficiency. Providing public transit vehicles access to the SmartDrive system would allow buses and shuttles to operate more efficiently, stay on schedule, and provide better service, if given traffic signal priority at SmartDrive intersections. "Transit and school buses would run on time and more reliably, and would make public transit more attractive," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, in an April 26 blog post describing the Arizona SmartDrive project.

While officials finalize the details of getting the SmartDrive system fully operational in Anthem, Head confirms the next step in the development of the system is adding public buses and school buses.

Head also said there are plans to use the Anthem field test site to support other research, including field testing an application that would allow pedestrians to send need-to-cross signals directly to traffic lights from their mobile phones. The phones would also be able to let visually impaired pedestrians receive red or green light signals. This research is being developed in partnership with Santa Clara, Calif.-based Savari Inc., he said.

Vibrations reveal state of bridge ropes

SUMMARY : 
                   The new ResoBridge method has been developed to check bridges during running traffic within one day. It measures the vibrations of the tensioning ropes of externally prestressed concrete bridges. In the future, it may also be used to check cable-stayed bridges and constructions as well as hybrid towers of wind plants.





The new ResoBridge method has been developed to check bridges during running traffic within one day. It measures the vibrations of the tensioning ropes of externally prestressed concrete bridges. The test method developed by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology helps control the state of infrastructure facilities and optimizes early planning of necessary repairs. In the future, it may also be used to check cable-stayed bridges and constructions as well as hybrid towers of wind power plants.

Nearly 40,000 bridges exist in Germany. They have to withstand enormous loads. In particular, they have to cope with the growing heavy goods vehicle traffic. To guarantee safety of bridges, regular inspections are required. However, visual methods allow the damage to be detected in a rather advanced state only. Other methods, such as ultrasound, radiography or magnet-inductive testing, are time-consuming and expensive. Moreover, the bridges partly have to be closed for the traffic.

The ResoBridge method developed by Lothar Stempniewski and Steffen Siegel of the KIT Institute of Concrete Structures and Building Materials (IMB) represents an inexpensive and reliable alternative. The patented method is suited for concrete bridges with external tendons that are not cast into the concrete. These bridges are equipped with a hollow concrete box underneath the road. Six steel ropes inside the box ensure stability. Such externally prestressed concrete bridges can be found all over Germany.

The ResoBridge method is based on an acceleration sensor measuring natural vibrations of the tensioning ropes. The values measured are compared to results of earlier measurements. "A decreasing frequency indicates decreasing tension of the rope. Significant changes of the values suggest damage of the wires or braids," explains Steffen Siegel, IMB. The method measures the frequency spectra with an accuracy of up to 0.01 Hertz. To detect changes, an initial value has to be determined as a reference. The KIT researchers were involved in the development of an instrument that stores all values measured and indicates frequency changes.

The instrument is easy to operate. Measurement of the values, inclusive of the assembly and disassembly of the sensor at the measurement point, takes a few minutes only. The check of a bridge will take one day without the bridge having to be closed for the traffic. Hence, ResoBridge saves time and costs. All bridge data are recorded centrally. The method can also be used to compare various tensioning units and bridges. Presently, the method is being further developed for use on other constructions. Future application to cable-stayed bridges and constructions as well as to hybrid towers of wind power plants is envisaged.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a public corporation according to the legislation of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It fulfills the mission of a university and the mission of a national research center of the Helmholtz Association. Research activities focus on energy, the natural and built environment as well as on society and technology and cover the whole range extending from fundamental aspects to application. With about 9000 employees, including nearly 6000 staff members in the science and education sector, and 24000 students, KIT is one of the biggest research and education institutions in Europe. Work of KIT is based on the knowledge triangle of research, teaching, and innovation.

Smart' Traffic Sign Stops Collisions

  SUMMARY :                
                         Researchers have developed a "smart" traffic sign that helps drivers make correct decisions and avoid collisions at traffic intersections that lack traffic signals. The device consists of two cameras mounted on a pole at the intersection - one facing the main road and the other the secondary road. A computer located below constantly processes data it receives from the cameras. When a collision risk is identified, flashing lights on two yield signs at the intersection are activated to alert approaching drivers.

Researchers from the Transportation Research Institute at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have developed a "smart" traffic sign that helps drivers make correct decisions and avoid collisions at traffic intersections that lack traffic signals.

The device consists of two cameras mounted on a pole at the intersection - one facing the main road and the other the secondary road. A computer located below constantly processes data it receives from the cameras. When a collision risk is identified, flashing lights on two yield signs at the intersection are activated to alert approaching drivers.

According to system developer Dr. Yotam Abramson, accidents at intersections without traffic lights occur when drivers coming from the secondary road do not notice the traffic sign and are not aware that they do not have the right of way. Another cause of accidents can is when drivers notice the traffic sign but do not correctly internalize the information.

"In both cases, the driver makes the incorrect decision," says Abramson. "The assumption is that the flashing light will draw the driver's attention to the sign and increase his alertness."

The device is currently being tested at a four-way urban intersection in Tel Aviv. The intersection has limited visibility and high-speed access from the main road, and differentiating between the main road and the secondary road is difficult. At such intersections, drivers do not have an intuitive understanding of right of way, which makes noticing and understanding the signs even more critical.

The researchers believe the device will reduce accidents and near-accidents at the intersection, without impeding traffic flow on the main road.

They are also working on a "smart" traffic light activated when it identifies a driver who is about to cross an intersection against a red light. In such a case, the light will either flash or delay the green light in the other direction. According to Abramson, the system would also serve as a traffic violation camera.

"We are developing a 'smart infrastructure' that integrates computers and mechanization with transportation systems," says Transportation Research Institute head Prof. David Mahalel.

The National Transportation Safety Authority is financing the research, with assistance from the Tel Aviv transportation division.

Lightweight construction materials of highest stability

Summary:
                  Researchers have developed microstructured lightweight construction materials of highest stability. Although their density is below that of water, their stability relative to their weight exceeds that of massive materials, such as high-performance steel or aluminum. The lightweight construction materials are inspired by the framework structure of bones and the shell structure of the bees’ honeycombs.



The framework construction made of a ceramic-polymer composite is highly stable, although the individual elements have a thickness of a few hundred nanometers only.

KIT researchers have developed microstructured lightweight construction materials of highest stability. Although their density is below that of water, their stability relative to their weight exceeds that of massive materials, such as high-performance steel or aluminum. The lightweight construction materials are inspired by the framework structure of bones and the shell structure of the bees' honeycombs. The results are now presented in the journal PNAS.

"The novel lightweight construction materials resemble the framework structure of a half-timbered house with horizontal, vertical, and diagonal struts," says Jens Bauer, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). "Our beams, however, are only 10 µm in size." In total, the lightweight construction elements are about 50 µm long, wide, and high.

"Nature also uses open-pore, non-massive structures for carrying loads," Oliver Kraft, KIT, explains. Examples are wood and bones. At the same density, however, the novel material produced in the laboratory can carry a much higher load. A very high stability was reached by a shell structure similar to the structure of honeycombs. It failed at a pressure of 28 kg/mm2 only and had a density of 810 kg/m3. This exceeds the stability / density ratio of bones, massive steel, or aluminum. The shell structure produced resembles a honeycomb with slightly curved walls to prevent buckling.

To produce the lightweight construction materials, 3D laser lithography was applied. Laser beams harden the desired microstructure in a photoresist. Then, this structure is coated with a ceramic material by gas deposition. The structures produced were subjected to compression via a die to test their stability.

Microstructured materials are often used for insulation or as shock absorbers. Open-pore materials may be applied as filters in chemical industry.

Steel-fiber reinforced concrete

Steel-fiber reinforced concrete for conventional construction work as well

Summary:

When adding steel fibers the size of a clip, concrete is less prone to cracking, an engineer demonstrates. What the study shows is that this material has certain advantages over conventional reinforced concrete, and it can be used for purposes like the manufacture of cylindrical holding tanks.

Reinforcing concrete with steel bars is a very common practice in construction. The industrial engineer and researcher Aimar Orbe-Mateo (UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country) has studied the possible use of a material that is normally used for other applications for these tasks: concrete reinforced with steel fibers. What the study shows is that this material has certain advantages over conventional reinforced concrete; among others, it is less prone to cracking, and it can be used for purposes like the manufacture of cylindrical holding tanks.

According to Aimar Orbe-Mateo, an engineer at the Faculty of Engineering in Bilbao, right from the start of the study it was clear that "it had to be something that had a practical application, not just any piece of research." Sothe team produced a material for research purposes and which had the potential for being used in construction: steel fiber reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC).

These are materials that are already being used in building but "they have other applications. Self-compacting concrete, for example, is used in prefabricated buildings. If this concrete is used in conventional building tasks, it is difficult to measure it out because it is very fluid, very runny. Yet its texture allows one to do away with the procedures that are used with conventional concrete (vibration, shovelling, etc.), because it moves and becomes compact on its own," pointed out Orbe.

Steel fibers are also used to reinforce glass, "but more than anything else, to manufacture secondary elements: paving of industrial estates, tunnels, sewage pipelines and such things," he added. These fibers are small, both in terms of length (50 mm) and diameter (1mm), with dimensions similar to those of an unbent paper clip."

From the lab to reality

Alongside the laboratory tests, the team also tested the use to which the material could in fact be put.For this purpose, a wall three metres high and six metres long was built and divided into 380 samples on which various tests were carried out, destructive as well as non-destructive ones, "to determine the structural capabilities of the steel fibers and, in general, the toughness of the wall," highlighted Orbe.

Since the toughness of the structure depends on the orientation and distribution of the fibers within the concrete (impossible to see with the naked eye), the research team resorted to a magnetic system.Firstly, a magnetic field was created inside the samples; then the changes that had taken place in the field were analysed.Two aspects were clarified: the axis towards which the fibers tended to orientate themselves, and how much fiber there was in each sample.According to this study, "the fibers orientated themselves in the direction we were interested in, thanks to the fluid nature of the self-compacting concrete," pointed out the researcher.Apart from these tests, the team carried out computer simulations on fluid dynamics."These simulations showed us that the orientation that the fibers are going to take can be predicted.That way we can detect the weak points and unsuitable concreting processes in advance," pointed out the researcher.

Other tests in the research showed that when compared with conventional concrete reinforcing barsthe steel fibers canmore effectivelycontrol the cracks that may open up when the concrete dries. "There are thousands of fibers distributed throughout the mortar that compact it continually," asserted the engineer.

Orbe believes that with these pieces of research, the material "has reached a level of maturity" and that it can contribute towards making certain construction work easier.Specifically, he is proposing that it be used for manufacturing cylindrical holding tanks for collecting water.Bearing in mind the capacity of the SFRSCC to control cracks better and the results of other studies undertaken by this research team,"the conclusion is thatit is more economical and more sustainable than the conventional structural design," asserted Orbe.

But using it (for the purposes put forward by the research team and for other ones) requires "building contractors to be aware of the advantages of this material." And it is difficult to persuade building contractors not to fit the traditional steel rods, that everything needs to have been mixed into the concrete, because that way it reinforces the, etc.At the same time, one reason for mistrust is the fact that when the concrete dries, it is not possible to see where the fibers are, whether they have been properly distributed or are facing in the right direction. Besides, stresses Orbe, "there are few examples of building work carried out using this system."

The future in dubai

Dubai architecture: new buildings in the united arab emirates




duabi or dubai city is located on the northern tip of the united arab emeritus on the persian gulf. it has been ruled
by the al maktoum dynasty since 1833 and has existed in its modern state since 1971. the current ruler is 
mohammed bin rashid al maktoum, who is also the prime minister and vice president of the united arab emirates. 
the rather small city has a population of 1.6 million people and a 37 billion USD economy based largely on trade, 
manufacturing and financial services. contrary to popular belief petrol and natural gas only make up a small 
percentage of revenues.

the city has gained world-wide attention in the past few years because of its booming economy and ambitious
architectural projects. with a focus on business and tourism, the city is ramping up construction on an
unprecedented level. in fact, dubai is said to be home to 15% to 25% of the world's 125,000 construction cranes.
don't think that the architectural expansion is over, because a slew of new project are on the table and in
the works as we speak.

here is only a small portion of the buildings that are being proposed, constructed or developed in dubai
and its surrounding region.

the 'burj dubai' is a supertall skyscraper currently under construction in dubai. when completed in 2009
it will be the tallest man made structure in the world. it was designed by adrian smith who worked
with the building's architecture and engineering firm skidmore, owings and merrill until 2006.
as of march 1, 2008 the building measured 611.3m tall. on september 12, 2007, it passed toronto's
cn tower to become the world's tallest freestanding structure.

the cloud' is a speculative design for a resort city elevated 300 metres in the air above dubai
and supported on slanting legs resembling rain. it is designed by nadim karam of lebanese architect
atelier hapsitus. it is a horizontal presence on an elevated platform, an antithesis to the sum of
skyscrapers spreading over the entire region.

'dubai hub one' is a design proposal for a cultural hub, serving the UAE. designed by studio nova, the
space has been created to work in much the same way as a shopping mall, except for the
consumption of culture instead of goods. its forms have been generated using algorithms and special
programing scripts creating a dense structure of spaces.

zaha hadid' dancing towers are planned to be located in dubai's business bay development 

area. the plan consists of three buildings which rise up from the ground bending and
intertwining with each other to create fluid animation of the forms.

'opus' is another dubai building designed by british architect zaha hadid. the 235 million GBP
development was designed for the business bay for omniyat properties. it stands at 20 stories located
next to the towering burj dubai. hadid's concept was to have the building open onto the city,
framing the views. it is currently underdevelopment and is planned to be completed by 2010.

'dubai renaissance' was designed by architects rem koolhaas and fernando donis of OMA for the 

business bay development competition. their entry lost to hadid's dancing towers.

0-14 tower' was designed by resier and umemoto and rur architecture pc along with dubai developer,
shahab lutfi. the building was designed for dubai's business bay and features 22 floors covered in
a double skin facade that's outermost skin is constructed from 40c, thick perforated concrete.
the one meter space between the skins creates a chimney effect, cooling the building.

The 'eta hotel' is a 68-room boutique hotel complete with restaurant, bar and roof top pool
located in a high density commercial neighborhood in dubai. the structure was designed by
sanjay puri & mimish shah, an indian firm.

duabi pearl' was originally conceived by the omnix grop in 2002 but has since been taken over by
a consortium of investors led by the al fahim group. the 3 billion USD project overlooks the pal jumeriah
and covers 1.4 million square metres of the dubai media and technology free zone.

'dubai grand pyramid' obviously derives its form from the egyptian pyramids, with a modern twist.
this pyramid will be a multi-use space and will be flanked by two smaller pyramids housing the
developer falconcity's offices and commercial space for a theme park.

the 'arabian blade' is a mixed-use tower designed by claudio catalano. the building
was inspired by plant forms and combines several volumes into one unit. it will
contain residences, a hotel and commercial space. 

dubai towers' is the centerpiece for the large 'lagoons' development. the buildings and the
development were all conceived of by TVS. the four towers range in size from 54 to 97 floors
and were inspired by the flames and movement of candlelight.

rmjm architects have designed this building for abu dhabi convention centre. the structure features an
organically shaped office tower, which blends seamlessly into the horizontal convention space below.

architect david fisher is the designer of the 'da vinci rotating tower', one of the most innovative an
unique buildings to be built in dubai. the 250 meter tower will allow each floor to rotate freely allowing
the building to shift its shape. in between each floor horizontal wind turbines will allow the building to
produce energy. 

this death-star like sphere is a design proposal for the RAK convention and exhibition centre in the
new city development, ras al khaimah. it was designed by rem koolhaas and reiner de graaf of
OMA architects. the building is made of glass and steel constructed in a giant sphere and located
beside a long and low exhibition space next to it.

currently awaiting completion, this art deco inspired building will house a hotel and residences.
'the burj dubai lake hotel' stands at 306 meters next to the duabi mall and the burj dubai lake. 

also near completion is 'the bay gate', a 40-floor tower in dubai's business bay
area. its windows appear to fade away at the sides while the base is wrapped in
a multi-floor glass atrium.





named the 'G tower', this building was designed by YOO, a design company owned by
philippe stark and john hitchcox. its geometric and grid-like exterior is set to be complete
this summer. it is located in the city of arabia, just outside dubai.





madrid's a-cero architects led by joaquin torres has designed a new tower for the
city of dubai. 'the wave tower' is a high-rise proposed to be installed on the city's
waterfront, the first skyscraper to do so. the tall tower, which appears to float in
the sea, is connected to land by a gently curved bridge which mimics the waves of
the gulf sea. the building is under development and will be in the madiant al arab
district. it will stand at 370 meters and have 92 floors wrapped in a double skin
glass facade.





'the pixel tower' by light architecture is on the palm jebel ali overlooking the lagoon and bay.
the building's twisted core gives it a light and flexible appearance. the 45 degree twist allows the
uppermost apartments to have optimal views, despite the buildings footprint.





'the REEM media building' is also designed by light architecture and is located in abu dhabi. it was
designed to reflect traditional arab architecture, focusing around the patio and pool. the facade features
an immense 34 by 9 meter projection screen which can be seen from the city's coastline. the building
is also able to be dismantled and reconstructed on another site.





real estate mogul donald trump is also part of the architectural plans of dunai,
along with nakheel hotels he plans to build a 255 meter 'trump hotel' on a
man-made island in dubai. with 60 stories, the 5 star hotel will also house some
luxury apartments. the building has been designed by atkins architects.





jean nouvel submitted this proposal for the dubai opera house. the futuristic building is meant to
differentiate itself from 'the vulgar hotels and office buildings' of dubai. its design resembles a cliff face
or a waterfall and is capped with a giant dome featuring a semi-permeable skin.





conceived of as a gateway to the city of dubai, norway's snohetta architects designed this cobra like
building complex. the project was commisioned by sheik saud and rakeen of ras al-khaimah.
the design is meant to create an icon to serve as an entry point to the city. covering over 300,000
square meters of land, the building will house a congress center, exhibition space, shopping center
and 3 hotels.





'the providence tower' is currently under construction and expected to be
complete in 2010. it features 57 floors and is located in dubai's financial district.




'the infinity tower' is designed by skidmore owings and merrill and is located directly on dubai's
waterfront. when complete it will be the world's tallest tower to feature a 90-degree twist. it will be used
for luxury apartments and services, with all sides of the building featuring optimal views. the building's
interior structure will feature a a concrete column, shaped like a helix. each floor has a slight
1.2 degree twist to compose the full 90 degrees.





ajman is a small island territory 20 km outside of duabi, which is also the united arab emirates smallest
state. a large master plan is under way to transform the city's waterfront. existing elements will be
added onto and a series of new buildings will also be constructed. the whole plan cover 26 hectares
of land area.





in addition to the proposed opera house in dubai, jean nouvel is also currently working on the design
for the louvre abu dhabi. the museum's new location will be located on saadiyat island
(the happiness island) right next to the new branch of the guggenheim museum. nouvel's louvre
features a giant sun shade which hangs ominously over the island. it is planned to be completed
by 2012 at a cost of 83 million euros.





as mentioned, saadiyat island will also be home to new york's guggenheim museum designed by
frank o. gehry. the new branch will provide 30,000 square meters of space in typical gehry fashion.
a series of interconnected forms will make up the buildings structure on the island.

'the almas tower' or diamond tower is a 360 meter skyscraper currently under construction in dubai's jumeirah lake owners development, where it will be the tallest structure. it will have 74 floors mostly commercial space with a few service floors. it was designed by atkins architects for nakheel properties and will be completed this year. the 255 meter 'stellar tower' was designed by london-based architects, make. it was commissioned to honour the late sheikh zayed bin sultan al nahyan. located on ittihad square, the building features a geometric, dress shaped exterior which will house offices, a hotel and commercial space. due for completion later this year, this 43 story office tower was designed by jean nouvel. the building is located in doha, qatar. the exterior is made from glass covered in a metal skin that is designed based on a traditional islamic pattern. the design for abu dhabi's performing arts centre was conceived of by zaha hadid. the building is meant to house music, theatre and dance, located on saadiyat island along with the new louvre and guggenheim museum's. the island was intended to be a 'beacon for cultural experience and exchange' by abu dhabi's ruler, sheikh khalifa bin zayed al nahyan. 'the burj al alam' or world tower is a 108 story, 501 meter high skyscraper currently being constructed in dubai's business bay area. designed by nihon architects, the building's form is based on the form of a flower. when complete it will be among the tallest building in the world. the top of the building will be finished with a 6 story turkish bath and sky garden, when construction is completed in 2010. 'tameer towers' was proposed as a sustainable skyscraper, designed by gensler architects. the development will include six 72 story towers with a diamond shaped base. set to be complete in 2011, the towers will be shaded by a series of landscaped terraces. inside, apartments, hotels, shops and office will fill p the space. royal haskoning architects were invited by nakeel development to create a masterplan design for pal jebel ali, off the coast of dubai. their winning design includes sports facilities, housing, retail and office space. the design also features an iconic bridge connecting to the main towers. 'the apeiron hotel' will be a 7-star hotel built on an island off of dubai. the arched 185 meter tall hotel will cost 500 million USD. it will have 350 luxury suites that will only be accessible by yacht and helicopter. designed by sybarite uk, the hotel features its own lagoon, beaches, cinemas and at gallery. hydropolis is a company who produces underwater resorts in places all over the world, including dubai. its 220 suites will sit 66 feet below the persian gulf. cost issues and concerns over the project's environmental impact have halted the project which was originally expected to be completed this year. tvs architects were commissioned by dubai properties to design 'vision tower', a 51 story office building in the business bay district. the tower features a canted and bent glass facade to light its 650,00 square feet of office space. rem koolhaas's OMA architects collaborated with porsche design to create the 'porsche towers' in dubai's business bay. the two building complex features a cylindrical tower and a hallow slab which is glassed in the center. the project is currently under construction. 'the empire tower' is located in the heart of dubai. it uses an array of splayed vertical layers which are unified at the bottom and rise up into the sky with gentle curves. it measures 230 meters overlooking the sea and nearby parks. 'the palm tower' is as its name implies, inspired by the trunk of a palm tree. it is located in the center of jumeirah village. it measures 150 meters tall holding offices, retail space and gardens. designed by sybarite uk, it contains 60,000 square meters of interior space. dbi design created this 5 tower project dubbed 'the ethiad towers'. the project is located on a the waterfront in abu dhabi, near the business district. the 5 towers range in size from 55 to 77 stories. 'dubai promenade' is another project developed by nakheel. located in between dubai marina and palm jumeirah, this wheel shaped five star hotel is built on a man-made peninsula. it will be accompanied by a series of sister towers that will create 2,000 residential units. 'the al sharq tower' will be the tallest building on dubai's sheikh zayed road when it will be completed. measuring 360 meters tall, the tower will contain 268 luxury apartments. the building features eight interconnected cylinders which covered in a spiraling filigree. skidmore, owings and merrill designed the structure which is currently under construction. 'the oval tower' is located in the business bay area and features 19 floors of office space and a luxury deck with a gym. divided into the tower and the podium, the project also holds retail space. it is designed by atkins architects. architect andrew bromberg designed this 120 floor building while at aedas architects. measuring 516 meters, the 'pentominium' is a residential only building which will be one of the highest towers n dubai's marian, when it is complete. the slender building is covered in glass with a series of tiered balconies on one side. 'the emaar towers' are located at the entry point to the burj dubi development, right across from the burj dubai tower. the towers are 42 and 34 stories each and will mostly house offices. an articulated skin covers the buildings and recalls the layers of traditional islamic architecture. inspired by the 'Q1', the world's tallest residential tower, the 'D1 tower' is designed by sunland architects. it combines middle eastern tradition with modern technology. it measures 284 meter tall with 80 stories, located on dubai creek cultural and artistic district. atkins architects also designed 'the lighthouse' a new tower located in the middle of dubai's financial center. the 400 meter tall office tower which hopes to set a new standard for sustainability among dubai's towers. it plans to reduce its total energy consumption by 65% and its water consumption by up to 40%. sorough real estate is planning a grouping of large buildings in abu dhabi for their 'gate development'. the complex will house a number of unique structures including the 83 story, 379 meter tall 'sky tower'. when complete, it will be the 15th tallest residential tower in the world. located in the emirate of ras al khaimah, 'jebel al jais mountain resort' is a tourist resort designed by rem koolhaas of OMA architects. the project features an inhabited dam, bridge and vertical village built right into the cliff. 'ocean heights' is another tower located at dubai marina. it measures 310 meters tall and contains 82 floors. each side is twisted to maximize the views over the water when the building is completed this year. 'tiara united' is a pair of office tower located near the financial district in dubai. its multi-coloured facade features branch like structural components. the two buildings are joined at the base with a glass atrium. situated on dubai's sheikh zayed road across from the burj dubai are 'the lam tara towers'. the two towers are 60 and 70 stories, measuring a total height of 360 meters. while currently under construction, the towers are planned to be complete by 2010. 'golden dome' - 455m high, 2.2 million sqm, 500,000 sqm commercial areas and 3,000 apartments - it will be one of the higher building of the world 'synergy' is another building designed by india's sanjay puri for dubai's business bay area. the 20-story building was designed to appear like a stack of cubes that were fluidly merged. one side overlooks the promenade in front while the other side faces a lake. the facade is punctured by a decorative motif derived from islamic art.