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[July 2003]
CERAM Building Technology receives prestigious approval from RIBA
CERAM Building Technology (CBT), the research, development and testing body for the building and construction industry based in Stoke-on-Trent has received prestigious approval from the Royal Institute of British Architects for its seminar Consultants to the Design Team. The seminar has been rigorously assessed as being suitable for the Continuing Professional Development of members of the RIBA. Members that attend the seminar will receive some general training on the techniques available to help architects and indeed engineers in the difficult circumstances that can occur in the design of new buildings or the appraisal of existing ones. The seminar is strongly influenced by a series of case studies on prestigious projects which have been handled by CBT e.g. Portcullis House, The Round Foundry, La Poste.At Portcullis House, the new accommodation for Members of Parliament above Westminster Underground Station, the issue was the strength of the limestone and granite to be used. Existing design rules are suited to thick walls and low stresses and consultant Arup was concerned about their application to highly stressed situations. Stonework testing in the 1000 t machine at CBT provided the data upon which accurate design could be based.
At The Round Foundry the 19th century buildings of the famous Matthew Murray works for producing static steam engines were to be converted to apartments, office accommodation, restaurants etc. The requirement was to retain as much of the original as possible, certainly the character but provide a safe and durable structure for an economic working life. CBT coordinated a team including brickwork, timber and wrought and cast iron specialists to assess the materials which included in situ load testing such that the developers and conservators could agree on a sensitive way to proceed.
At La Poste in Marseilles loading tests on concrete floor beams were completed and the repair issued within four days of the initial contract. As a result the French authorities allowed work to proceed on the conversion of a listed Post Office building into a WorldCom Call Centre and a very large construction project was allowed to proceed.
It is the wide range of activities that CBT undertake that make their work both valuable and interesting to building professionals. Hence the RIBA were happy to award their seal of CPD Assessed Material to CBT.
ENDS