'Folded plate' roof entry wins student prize

The TRADA Timber Engineering 2005 Award has been won by Roger Knipe of Queens University, Belfast.

The TRADA Timber Engineering 2005 Award has been won by Roger Knipe of Queens University, Belfast, from where a number of entries were received.

Appropriately, he received his prize from TRADA Technology Head of Engineering Graeme Spencer at the Institution of Chartered Engineers conference 'The Potential of Timber in Construction' on 31st October.

Roger's entry was based on a 'Folded Plate' timber frame roof construction and the judging panel agreed that it was 'a good, sound and well presented technical submission'.

Roger had carried out a 1:5 scaled model experimental test and, according to Graeme Spencer, Head of Engineering of TRADA Technology, had 'monitored well all the issues to be addressed and re-established the proven advantages of the folded plate roof concept.

He also highlighted an excellent understanding of engineering design assessment when trying to address the issue of spread at eaves level for a real life building'.

Roger wins GBP1,000 in prize money and, Graeme added, "shows great potential in becoming a promising engineer of the future".

The second prize of GBP500 was awarded to Oliver Edwards, University of Nottingham.

His entry addressed the possibility of using British grown timber for glulam members, as the centralised layers between TR26 outer laminates at various thicknesses.

The judges were very impressed with the technical content of Oliver's submission.

"We look forward to next year's entrants with anticipation.

We hope to encourage groups of architectural and engineering students to join forces, to produce innovative entries that will sex up the use of timber in mainstream construction," said Graeme Spencer.

TRADA would like to thank the judges involved in this year's competition, Christopher Mettem (Senior Research Engineer), John Gordon (Timber Consulting Engineer) and Martin Milner (Managing Director of CCB Evolution).

TRADA Timber Engineering 2005 Award, sponsored by TRADA, the Institution of Structural Engineers and wood.

for good, was launched to recognise excellence and innovation.

Entry forms for the 2006 award will shortly be available.

Email Charlotte Andrews at candrews@trada.co.uk.

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