PRESENTATION: “Transforming Construction” by Prof Campbell Middleton, Cambridge University

When – 5.30pm – Thursday 18th October 2018 //

Where – Faculty of Engineering, University of Auckland Street Level Foyer, Symonds Street, (Room ENG1439 / 401-439), Auckland.

Agenda

17:30 pre-presentation refreshments
18:00 presentation

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Abstract

It is a very exciting and challenging time in the construction sector in the UK at present. There is considerable uncertainty over the likely outcome of Brexit, concern at the underlying causes of the recent collapse of the construction company Carillion, and ramifications from the inquiry into the Grenfell tower block disaster. At the same time, the UK government has recognised the very significant economic benefits that could be generated by improving the productivity and performance of the construction sector. As a result, the government has announced a new “Transforming Construction” initiative which commits £170M of government funding, matched by £250M from industry, to create new construction processes and techniques. Much of this funding will focus on the development of offsite manufacturing, digital engineering and improving productivity and skills. This presentation will give an overview of these recent developments and look in more detail at the opportunities.

Biography

Professor Campbell Middleton
Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering & Technology, Department of Engineering, Cambridge University

Professor Campbell Middleton is the Director of the Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering & Technology in the Department of Engineering at Cambridge University. Prior to Cambridge, he worked for nearly 10 years in professional practice in infrastructure design and construction in Australia and with Arup in London. He is Chairman of the UK Bridge Owners Forum, a member of the Design Panel for High Speed 2, and has acted as an advisor or consultant to a number of organisations including Infrastructure UK, the Highways Agency and the National Transport Commission in Australia. He has been awarded a number of academic awards including the Henry Adams Award of the Institution of Structural Engineers in 1999 & 2014, and the Telford Premium Award (1999) and Telford Gold Medal (2010) from the Institution of Civil Engineers. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Engineers, Australia and the Transport Research Foundation. His research interests include advanced plastic analysis, risk & asset management, non-destructive testing, modular and additive manufacturing, applications of computer vision & smart sensor applications for structural health monitoring. He is a member of the executive team responsible for overseeing the EPSRC/Innovate UK funded Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction.