CPD Seminars

Recordings of previous seminars area available here

List of Courses

List of Seminars

Graduate Seminar #1 - “Structural Scheme Design”

My CPD Seminar #1 for graduate structural engineers to discuss the development of a structural scheme design with an Overview of the Structural Design Process.

Graduate Seminar #2 - “Qualitative Structural Engineering”

My 2nd Seminar for Graduate Structural Engineers looking at how we model a structure for computer analysis and get a feel for the output we should expect. We did Engineering without numbers, and Without Using A Computer.

Graduate Seminar #3 - “Learning From Failure”

My 3rd Seminar for Graduate Structural Engineers discussing historical structural failures and lessons learned from them. Requirements for designing against progressive / disproportionate collapse with reference to the UK Building Regulations and Eurocodes.

Graduate Seminar #4 – “Inspection & Appraisal of New & Existing Structures”

My 4th Seminar for Graduate Structural Engineers looking at the procedure for the inspection and appraisal of new and existing structures to answer the question: How Safe is My Building?

Graduate Seminar #5 “Preparation of Calculations and Structural Design Reports”

My 5th Seminar for Graduate Structural Engineers looking at how to Prepare Calculations for Checking & Approval and then at how we check calculations and drawings.

Graduate Seminar #6 - “Wind Analysis to NZS 1170 Part 2”

My 6th Seminar for Graduate Structural Engineers looking at Wind Analysis in accordance with the New Zealand Code NZS 1170 Part 2

Graduate Seminar #7 - “Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings”

My 7th Seminar for Graduate Structural Engineers looking at Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings in accordance with the ‘Technical Guidelines for Engineering Assessments’ from the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering

Graduate Seminar #8 - “Initial Seismic Assessments and IEPs”

My 8th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This is the second of 2 seminars on the Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings in accordance with the ‘Technical Guidelines for Engineering Assessments’ from the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering. This time we went through the Initial Evaluation Procedure (IEP) and Initial Seismic Assessment Reports (ISA).

CPD Seminar #9: “Ethics for Engineers”

My 9th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This looked at the philosophical basis for a professional life. It used case studies of unethical behaviour. It discussed the EngNZ Code of Ethical Conduct and the ICE Code of Professional Conduct

CPD Webinar #10: “Precast Concrete 1: Theory”

My 10th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the first of 2 seminars on Precast Concrete covering the theory

CPD Webinar #11: “Precast Concrete 2: Practice”

My 11th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the second of 2 seminars on Precast Concrete covering the practice. We'll cover practical issues relating to: Finishes, Inserts, Grout sleeves, Propping, Grouting, Alignment, Tolerance

CPD Webinar #12: “Construction Monitoring and the PS4”

My 12th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This time we discussed the roles & responsibilities of the engineer during the Construction Monitoring phase of the project. We also looked at a typical site report and the compilation of the documents for the producer Statement PS4.

CPD Seminar #13: “Residential Portal Frames”

My 13th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This time we discussed the analysis of a specifically designed steel portal frame in accordance with BRANZ Study Report SR337 (Lui 2015) to account for compatibility of mixed bracing units. Light Timber framed buildings per NZS 3604 have an assumed ductility of 3.5 due to the GIB board bracing.

CPD Seminar #14 - Driven Piles using the Hiley Formula

My 14th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This time looked at how we calculate the ultimate axial compressive capacity for a driven pile in accordance with the Civil Engineering Code of Practice No.4 (and reference the old NZBC B1/VM4 Appendix A)

This is the third is a series of shorter seminars asking, "WTF does this spreadsheet do?" with the answer presented via Mathcad.

CPD Seminar #15 - Vibration of Concrete Floors

My 15th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This time we looked at the ‘Mast’ method of calculating the Minimum Natural Frequency required for a floor in a normal walking situation and a rhythmic dancing situation.

CPD Seminar #16 - Structural Insulated Panels Part 1: Tiny Homes & Modular Buildings

My 16th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the first of a series of 5 seminars on the topic of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This time we looked at Tiny Homes and Modular Buildings, and the rules and regulations surrounding them.

CPD Seminar #17 - SIPS Pt 2: Calculating Structural Capacity of Panels

My 17th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the second of a series of 5 seminars on the topic of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This time we looked at how we calculate the axial and bending capacities of panels. This is another in the series of seminars asking, "WTF does this spreadsheet do?" with the answer presented via Mathcad.

CPD Seminar #18 - SIPS Pt 3: Case Studies on Cold Stores & Freezers

My 18th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the third of a series of 5 seminars on the topic of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This time we looked at some case studies on cold stores & freezers.

CPD Seminar #19 - SIPS Pt 4: Design of Fixings

My 19th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the fourth of a series of 5 seminars on the topic of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This time we looked at how we calculate the structural capacity of bolt, rivets & screws in steel and aluminium in accordance with AS/NZS 4600 & AS/NZS1664. This another in the series of seminars asking, "WTF does this spreadsheet do?" with the answer presented via Mathcad.

CPD Seminar #20 - SIPS Pt 5: Warm Roof Load-Span Tables

My 20th Seminar for Structural Engineers. This was the final part of a series of 5 seminars on the topic of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). This time we looked at how we derive the load-span tables for composite panel to be used in a warm roof. We used Mathcad to derive the transformed section properties of a composite panels from first principles. Then used matrix mathematics to derive the load-span tables & graphs.

CPD Seminar #21 - "Back to the Future: Thoughts on The 4th Industrial Revolution & Construction 4.0"

In my 21st seminar we looked at what we were trying to achieve with our research and development activities in the 1990s including product modelling, building information modelling (BIM), industry foundation classes (IFCs) and dreams of interoperability.

We revisited my 1996 paper "Construction as a Manufacturing Process" and provided thoughts on "The 4th Industrial Revolution" & "Construction 4.0". We'll finish with a reminder of the information facts of life.

CPD Seminar #22 - Precast Concrete Culverts

In this joint seminar, we looked at the design and specification of precast concrete box culverts. We also discussed how to pick the right box culvert.

CPD Seminar - "Mathcad for Dummies”

By request, my webinar a basic introduction to Mathcad with a collection of tips and tricks for using it for structural engineering.

CPD Seminar #23 – “Design of Aluminium Portal frames

My webinar on the design of the members and connections of an aluminium portal frames to AS/NZS 1664.

CPD Seminar #24 - Getting Chartered - Advice for those migrating to New Zealand

In my 24th Seminar for Structural Engineers, I described my personal journey as a Structural Engineer migrating from the United Kingdom to New Zealand. We had a brutally honest conversation in which we discussed the differences in European and New Zealand practice in the construction industry. I provided some useful resources and share some tips and then discussed getting chartered through Engineering New Zealand to achieve CPEng status.

CPD Seminar #25 - Design of Steel Connections to NZS 3404

In my 25th Seminar for Structural Engineers, we looked at the design of steel connections to NZS 3404 including the following approaches:

Redco Excel Spreadsheet
SCNZ Handbook & Online Tool
Bentley RAM Connection
Mathcad

CPD Seminar #26 - Broms Method of Pile Design

In my 26th Seminar for Structural Engineers, we looked at the design of timber piles subject to lateral load. We use the method developed by Broms. The procedure follows Section 4.3.2a of Verification Method B1/VM4: Foundations

CPD Seminar #27 – Steel Portal Frame Design to NZS3404

In my 27th Seminar for Structural Engineers, we looked at the analysis & design of steel portal frames using various tools including Multiframe. The procedure follows NZS 3404.

CPD Seminar #28 - Stiff Diaphragms & Lateral Load Distribution

In my 28th Seminar for Structural Engineers, we looked at how load is distributed into concrete walls supporting a stiff concrete diaphragm subject to seismic loads and accidental eccentricities giving rise to torsion on plan. The procedure follows NZS 1170.5 & NZSEE Guidelines. This will be another seminar asking WTF does this spreadsheet do with the answer given using Mathcad.

CPD Seminar #29 - “Retaining Walls to MBIE Module 6 & NZBC B1/VM4”

In my 29th Seminar for Structural Engineers, we looked at the design of Concrete Cantilever Retaining Walls.

The procedure follows Appendix C of "Verification Method B1/VM4: Foundations" and "Module 6 of MBIE Earthquake Geotechnical Practice – Earthquake resistant retaining wall design". This will be another seminar asking WTF does this spreadsheet do with the answer given using Mathcad

CPD Seminar #30: Design of Precast Concrete “Tiltslab” Walls

In my 30th Seminar for Structural Engineers we looked at the design of Concrete Cantilever “Tiltslab” Walls. We looked at out of plane and in-plane behaviour, as well as the design of foundations and lifting eyes. The procedure follows: - NZS 3101 - CCANZ IB82 & TM34 - Branz Design Guide This will be another seminar asking WTF does this spreadsheet do with the answer given using Mathcad.

CPD Seminar #31: Design of Anchors in Concrete

In my 31st Seminar for Structural Engineers we looked at the design of Steel Anchors with a focus on the calculation for Holding Down Bolts Cast in Concrete Footings. The procedure follows: NZS 3101 This will be another seminar asking WTF does this spreadsheet do with the answer given using Mathcad.