Although we ended 2020 effectively in National lockdown (however the Government may have described it), I expect I was not alone in failing to anticipate that at the end of 2021 we would still be navigating troubled waters. At SCI the pandemic has not been our only worry – the last of our European funded research projects is coming to a close as a very real impact of BREXIT hits us, and fallout from the Grenfell tragedy has been slowing our ability to offer product certification. But despite these challenges, our financial year ending March 2021 was profitable, and we continue to be valued by our members and clients, as some highlights below confirm.
Our project highlights included the publication of AISC 370 – the first US design standard for structural stainless steel. This was written over a three year period, with SCI taking a lead on the development of the design rules. The year also saw the successful completion of the European collaborative project STROBE, which has resulted in design rules for high strength steels based on both laboratory tests and numerical analysis. Our global recognition is also seen in work we have undertaken for our long standing client Blind Bolt – over many years we have conducted test programmes, analysed the results and prepared design resistances for use in the UK, Europe and North America. December saw the delivery of a ‘good working draft’ for a CEN Technical Specification on twin and single skin composite construction. This was developed by a team lead by SCI, and will lead to rules that national standards bodies can ‘authorise’ to supplement Eurocode 4.
Many readers will be aware of certain issues concerning the design of steelwork joints, associated with information transfer, responsibilities, and joints that are so unusual it makes sanity checking of software output difficult, if not impossible. Late in 2021 SCI convened a meeting of various stakeholders, where some specific technical issues were identified (notably that code-type guidance is needed for complex joints subject to complicated loading, and for bases, where the design of the steel and foundation should be integrated). The most important outcome was agreement that an industry standard for the communication of connection design information should be developed.
For several years now our Light Steel Forum has proven to be a useful vehicle for identifying and funding guidance that is needed. Our publication P424 reviews fire design, and provides an authoritative way of extrapolating the results from load bearing fire tests so they can be correctly applied to a given design situation. We have developed a TEDDs module that makes application of this method quick, reliable and efficient (it can be purchased here). Work is currently progressing on guidance for assuring the stability of light steel framing. Following requests from manufacturers, we are investigating if a similar group would benefit the particular needs of offsite volumetric and panelised systems.
In November we were very pleased to welcome over 200 delegates to our (virtual) Annual Event. A key theme of ‘sustainability’ was deliberately chosen as the event coincided with COP26, and it was motivating to hear what some organisations are already doing, what steel producers are planning (SCI were commissioned by BCSA to produce a roadmap, which identifies numerous and diverse ways to achieve decarbonisation by 2050), and what we as engineers can do. Attendees also heard that next year we will be releasing guidance and tools aimed at helping designers use less material through more sophisticated methods.
We were also very pleased to extend our engineering capability in 2021, Dr Bogdan Balan bringing useful specialist experience of the software sector, and Dr Socrates Angelidis a wealth of knowledge gained at two old ‘friends’ of SCI, Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge.
So to close I wish all readers a happy and healthy Christmas break, and a successful 2022.