Forensic Engineering
Peter Lindsell & Associates have extensive research and professional experience resulting from detailed structural investigations conducted on laboratory models and full-scale structures. Particular experience of structural and material behaviour has been accumulated from detailed monitoring of structures in service and during controlled dismantling. The primary causes and contributory factors leading to structural collapses have been investigated in detail in cases involving industrial accidents and personal injuries.
Selected Publications
1. Lindsell P. "Temporary Works and the Permanent Structure". Seminar on The Real Behaviour of Structures. New College Oxford. 9 April 2010.
2. Lindsell P. "Material Effects & Finishes". Seminar on The Real Behaviour of Structures. New College, Oxford. 9 April 2010.
3.Lindsell P. "Accidents & Collapses - Causes and Effects". Seminar on The Real Behaviour of Structures. New College, Oxford. 2010.
4. Lindsell P. "Design Assumptions and Effects". Seminar on Forensic Engineering. New College, Oxford. 27 September 2000.
5. Lindsell P. "The Influence of Construction Materials". Seminar on Forensic Engineering. New College, Oxford. 27 September 2000.
6. Lindsell P. "Effects of deterioration and Repairs". Seminar on Forensic Engineering. New College, Oxford, 27 September 2000.
7. Lindsell P. “Structural Failures – A Combination of Classic Errors”. Seminar on Catastrophic Failures. Institution of Civil Engineers, London, 30 September 1999.
8. Lindsell P and Buchner SH. “Investigation of Non-Catastrophic Failures”. International Conference on Forensic Engineering – A Professional Approach to Investigation, Institution of Civil Engineers, London, 28-29 September 1998.
9. Price WIJ, Lindsell P and Buchner SH. “Monitoring of a Post-tensioned Bridge during Demolition”. IABSE Colloquium – Monitoring of Large Structures and Assessment of their Safety. IABSE Report, Vol. 56, Bergamo, October 1987, pp 357-365.
10. Lindsell P and Buchner SH. “Long-term Monitoring of Spill-through Abutments”. IStructE/BRE Seminar on Structural Assessment – Based on Full and Large Scale Testing, Watford, April 1987.
Structural appraisal of construction faults in 45m long post-tensioned concrete beams.
Structural Collapses
Peter Lindsell & Associates have been responsible for planning and supervising the controlled collapse of a diverse range of structures built in steel, concrete and masonry during demolition and dismantling projects. The range of experience gained over the last 40 years from research testing and demolition activities have therefore provided a practical approach to the investigation of uncontrolled and unexpected structural collapses.
Selected Projects
2010 Expert Witness - Construction: Collapse of temporary works, Manchester
2010 Expert Witness - Demolition : Fatality caused by lateral instability of concrete beam, London
2009 Expert Witness - Demolition: Fatality caused by collapse of temporary works, London.
2009 Expert Witness - Construction: Inquest into fatality due to temporary works failure, Manchester.
2008 Structural Expert - Advisor to Network Rail following partial collapses during dismantling a high-rise building, London.
2007 Structural Expert - Advisor for Urban Search & Rescue and Forensic Teams following major fire in steel frame Warehouse, Warwickshire.
2007 Expert Witness - Demolition: Fatality due to uncontrolled collapse of precast concrete structure, London.
2006 Expert Witness - Health & Safety: Appraisal of Planning Supervisor performance prior to sudden collapse of building facade during refurbishment works, London.
2005 Structural Expert - Demolition: Site inspection and appraisal of causes of uncontrolled collapse of concrete building, London.
2005 Expert Witness - Health & Safety: Personal injury resulting from fall through fragile roof, London.
2004 Expert Witness - Demolition: Personal injury resulting from uncontrolled premature collapse of masonry structure, Kent.
2003Expert Witness - Demolition: Uncontrolled collapse of steel framed building, Middlesex.
2001 Expert Witness - Construction: Partial collapse of Suspension Bridge, Cornwall.
2000 Expert Witness- Demolition: Collapse of Cinema Building during demolition of the adjoining structure.
1999 Expert Witness – Demolition: Collapse of School Classrooms, Shropshire.
1998 Witness – Construction: Failure of Construction Rubbish Chute, Hampshire.
1998 Expert Witness – Demolition: Collapse of Prestressed Concrete Floor Units, London.
1996 Expert Witness – Demolition: Collapse of Internal Masonry Wall, London.
1996 Expert Witness – Demolition: Collapse of Sub-station Wall, Bristol.
1995 Expert Witness – Demolition: Progressive Collapse of Barrel Vault Roof, Dumfries.
Investigation of sudden collapse of Barrel Vault Roof.
Non-catastrophic Failures
Peter Lindsell & Associates have been involved in the appraisal of non-catastrophic structural failures since 1970. Detailed structural investigations have been conducted on a range of historic and modern bridges, residential buildings and industrial structures. Particular problems have arisen due to a combination of design deficiencies, construction defects, material effects, thermal loading and soil/structure interaction.
Selected Projects
2008 Demolition Expert - Appraisal of proposed dismantling procedures for structurally defective car park, Bournemouth.
2008 Expert Witness - Vehicle Impact: Appraisal of damage to post-tensioned concrete footbridge, Leeds.
2005 Bridge Expert: Independent review of bearing failures during replacement scheme for Motorway Bridge. Highways Agency.
2002 Bridge Expert: Assessment of damage to adjoining pretensioned bridge beams, Motorway Bridge Widening, Birmingham
1999 Safety Procedures: Broken tendons in post-tensioned Railway Bridge, Staffordshire.
1999 Load Testing: Flexural/shear failures in prestressed multi-storey Car Park, Surrey.
1999 Structural Expert Severe cracking in rigid frame bridges, Greece.
1998 Structural Expert: Construction defects in 45m post-tensioned beams, Greece.
1997 Special Inspection: Flexural/shear failures in 45m post-tensioned beams, Pakistan.
1996 Stress Measurements: Torsional/buckling failures in plate girder footbridge, Surrey.
Monitoring of shear crack during incremental live load tests on a Rigid Frame Car Park.
Research Investigations
Peter Lindsell & Associates gained extensive research experience in testing both small-scale and full-size structures over a period of 15 years at Salford, Surrey and Oxford Universities. The research techniques have been widely employed in structural instrumentation, monitoring, load testing and the determination of in situ stresses in existing structures. In particular, live load testing of bridges has been applied to over 120 spans in order to verify the actual behaviour of structures, calibrate the theoretical idealisation and identify particular areas of structural weakness or additional strength.
Selected Projects
2004 Half-Joints: Feasibility of testing procedures for existing post-tensioned concrete half-joints, Highways Agency.
2003 Load Testing: Review of full-scale load testing procedures on post-tensioned concrete half-joint, Glasgow.
2003 Structural Monitoring: Response of steel swing bridge to thermal movements, East Sussex
2001 Structural Monitoring: Response of steel composite skew bridge to thermal movements, East Sussex
1999 Structural Monitoring: Response of rigid frame bridges to daily thermal cycles, Greece
1999 Structural Monitoring: Response of rigid frame car park to thermal movements, Surrey
1999 Load Testing: Determination of non-linear behaviour at critical sections in post-tensioned viaduct, Cumbria.
1998 Structural Monitoring: Loss of prestress in multi-tendon stressing system for tied arch, London.
1997 Structural Monitoring: Development of temporary prop forces during construction of wall, Lincolnshire.
1981-87 Structural Monitoring: Long-term monitoring of earth pressures and stresses in spill-through abutments, Surrey
Monitoring of temporary strut forces during construction of an Underpass beneath an existing railway bridge.