Friday Fun - Engineering Quotes

Today we thought we'd have some fun with quotes

"To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the

glass is half empty. 

To the engineer, the glass is twice as big

as it needs to be."

Unknown

"The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing.

From the book "Foundation design" by Coduto, Donald P.

"Death and taxes are unsolved engineering projects."

Romana Machado

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler"

Albert Einstein

"Engineering is the art of doing with one dollar which any bungler can do with two after a fashion."

AM Wellington (1887)

"Fast, Good, Inexpensive"

Pick two!

Our Boss, Andy Fewtrell ;o)

My favourite is:

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
Douglas Adams

We hope this brightened up your Friday.  If you have any others to share, please feel free to post them on our Facebook page.

Transportation Consultants Directory Published

This week see the publication of the 2013 Consultants Directory compiled by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and we are please to have risen 6 places in the table of 'companies ranked by turnover' to 84th place.

This shows continued support from our existing clients and a growth in new clients which is especially pleasing in the tough trading environment many are reporting.

To the hundreds of individuals and companies that value and trust our services we would like to say thank you.  we look forward to working with you, and perhaps a few more, over the next year.  However large we become you can be assured of our continued personal attention.

The Directory is an interesting read with a perspective on various aspects of the industry delivered by leading players in the industry.

Friday fun

That time of the week again, I thought you'd like to see this ;o)

Project News - Hamble Bridge

Working with Enterprise Mouchel we recently completed the inspection of the Hamble Bridge on the M27, near Southampton.  Our team of engineers used industrial rope access techniques to complete a visual inspection and paint inspection in accordance with Highways Agency Standards BD63/07 and BD87/05.

 

Much of the structure had to be accessed using aid climbing techniques.  During the works we had a safety boat in attendance.

In addition to the above water works we also undertook a diving inspection of the two central piers.

Cooperation is te key to successful completion of this type of project.  We have a number of landmark stucture projects either ongoing or in preparation, follow us here or on facebook to keep up with all of the latest news.

Latest Project News - Tunnels with Towers

We recently completed the inspection of the ventilation towers to the Tyne Tunnel.  Conventional rope access was preceeded by the application of centuries old technology to get ropes up and over the rim of the the ventilation towers, the highest being over 40m high.

Big!

 The inspection, carried out by our engineers, was completed in accordance with Highways Agency Standard BD63/07.

Getting hands on

The methods used ensured that we we were able to access all areas of towers with no need for installation of any fixings/anchors.

Best off all the tunnel remained open to traffic throughout these works.

Inspections, testing or investigations our award winning team will find a solution that works for you, contact us  01270 589615

Safety Update - In Support of Inspection

The recent out of court settlement in the Doha Airport dispute highlights the need to inspect complex structures both during and following construction. The Doha case is reported as centering around cracks in end pieces designed to connect supporting cables to the structure. Although the building continued to function, and has since been remediated, the costs to the parties involved are expected to be high.

NCE 2012

Historically design, by necessity, was more conservative than that of some of the exciting structures we see being built today. Our greater understanding of material behaviour coupled with our use of complex modelling software has allowed structures to be built with less material, fewer components and to spans and heights not previously possible.

The potential downside is that there is now likely to be less redundancy in these structures and failures of individual components could lead to catastrophic failure. Designers are aware of these issues and design the structures accordingly, but monitoring the condition is an essential part of the whole life maintenance strategy.

If you have inspection, testing or investigation questions we are happy to help. Contact us 01270 589615

Masonry Repairs to Railway Viaduct

Up and Under (Specialist Contracts) recently completed a repair contract on a masonry viaduct next to the Helmshore Textile Museum between Haslingden and Ramsbottom in Lancashire.  This type of safe work at height is routine for our Contracts Division and we deal with all of the safety and environmental paperwork, if required.

Mortar injection for deep joints

The works included:

• Vegetation removal
• Joint raking
• Re-pointing
• Masonry replacement

Most of the works were undertaken by our skilled team members using rope access to minimise cost and inconnvenience.

Areas prepared for masonry replacement

We are happy to discuss your repair and maintenance needs whether specialist access or routine.

Contact us for a quote, or advice.

Helping Amey Keep Sheffield Running

 We recently completed two culvert condition surveys for Amey as part of their Sheffield PFI contract.  Up and Under are a long standing supplier to Amey of a range of services including speciailst access inspection investigation and testing services.

This job  involved the inspection of two culverts to determine their condition plus gathering data to allow the highway load capacity to be assessed.  Inspecting these hidden parts of the transport network is essential to its effective and safe operation. 

As you see, it is not an easy place to work, but with the right team, training and equipment we are able to undertake the works safely and professionally.

If you need culverts inspecting or repairing we are happy to discuss your needs. Our services include:

• Inspection
• Training
• Repairs
• Survey
• Dimensional checks
• Intrusive investigation 
• Safety escort
• Rescue services

Confined spaces, over water or rope access call 01270 589615

 

 

 

 

Transportation Consultants

Lost amongst all of the Olympics and holidays was the CIHT Consultants Directory where Up and Under found themselves ranked 77th out of 149 consultantants offering transportation related services.  Although we were not able to compete with the Atkins, Arups and WSPs (who were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively) we were well placed against many other well known names in the industry .

We have continued to grow the range of services to both structure owners and other consultancies.  We carry a range of qualifications and accreditations specific to transport related asset management.

Whether it is conventional inspections or works requiring specialist access we are always happy to help. Give us a call 01270 589615.  We are also interested in export partnership arrangements.

ICE NW Civil Engineering Awards

In 2011 we will be sponsoring these awards. As a company we feel it is important to support stuff: charity, young people, profesional development and sporting endeavour are just some of our interests.

The Civil Engineering industry has an important and exciting history in the North West, but also today it contributes to the health, wealth and pleasure of all of our society, a fact often lost in our celebrity centred world.

Well tomorrow many of the hard working people who ensure that we have safe drinking water, roads, airports, sports stadia, shopping centres, hospitals, power and many other essentials of our modern life will recieve their recognition and we are proud to be supporting this event.

Good luck to all of the finalists from the Up and Under Group.

Rope Access inspection in Manchester

Up and Under Group Sponsor awards

The Up and Under Group will be an associate sponsor of the ICE NW Awards which will take place on 4th February in Chester.

MD Andy Fewtrell will be bringing along a the rally car that has carried him to success in a number of desert rallies.  The company which helps youngster have adventurous experiences they would otherwise be denied due to lack of funds will be selling snowballs to put on their car which will be competing in the Arctic 4x4 Rally starting  12th Feb in Stockholm, Sweden.  If you want to support the charity efforts you can at Just giving

Up and Under Group 138th in UK Consultants List

The Up and Under Group stands a creditable 138th on the list of UK consultants compiled by the New Civil Engineer for 2010.

The figures are published in the NCE Consultants File throw up a number of interesting things; one, that we are twice the size of Chesterfield Borough Council Engineering Services and that we are 37 places (only!) behind Sir Robert McAlpine Design in terms of staff employed - now there's a challenge for 2011.  There were only 63 companies with 100 or more Civil/Structural staff and 93 with 50 or more.

Who was first?  Well at least, by Civil and Structural staff numbers, it was one of our clients - Mouchel - with 6850 staff and a £740M turnover.

A few recent projects

Do any of these look like a problem you have?  Problem solved!

Marathon leads to row

One marathon in the family is hard enough, but this Sunday morning Andy and Lorna Fewtrell will be lining up for two different ones. At 10.30 Lorna, a long time runner, will set out for the 26miles 385 yards of Windemere Marathon whilst Andy will be sitting down at Crewe Hall’s Reflections Spa to row the 42,195m of his own marathon challenge.

Andy and Lorna will be raising money for the Up and Under Foundation who wish to set up a bursary in memory of Eric Swan, a man who was highly respected by all who had dealings with him during his life. His enthusiasm for sports, the outdoors and athletics was generously shared with all he came into contact with. The fund will provide assistance with fees for outdoor education to youngster(s) in the S Cheshire area.

Andy was introduced to mountain walking and later mountaineering through the efforts of Mr Swan, or ‘Biffa’ as he was affectionately known, whilst a pupil at Crewe Boys Grammar School. The interest in mountaineering led Andy to set up Up and Under in 1987 which carries out building and bridge works using abseiling techniques. Therefore there is symmetry in the Up and Under Group Charity seeking to help other young people experience adventurous activities.

There is a bit on needle between the couple who are both aiming to beat the others time. If you are in the Lake District at the weekend look out for the runners and give them a cheer, if not you could always pop around to Reflections and give Andy some encouragement. At the end of the run it is likely that Lorna will have sore feet, where Andy will be sore doesn’t bear mentioning.

If you wish to donate to the Eric Swan Bursary fund you can donate at Crewe Hall on the day or send a cheque made out to ‘The Up and Under Foundation’ at Coppice House, Quakers Coppice, Crewe, CW1 6FA

The charity currently receives all of its income from the Up and Under Group but would be happy to hear from anybody who would like to undertake a fund raising event in its name. Earlier in the year the Foundation donated funds to assist scouts with costs of attending camps.

The Up and Under Foundation is a charity founded in 2008 by the Up and Under Group to provide financial assistance to youngsters in the South Cheshire area to allow them to have beneficial experience which they might otherwise miss out on due to lack of funds. We are particularly interested in area involving adventure, physical activity and music performance.

Currently the funds available for awards are limited. The plan is to make awards from the interest earned on a capital sum which it is intended will continue to grow from further Up and Under donations to form a legacy fund which will be capable of making payments into the future.