Professor J. Toby Mottram, BSc(Durham), PhD(Durham), DSc(Warwick), CEng, FIStructE

Professor

Civil Research Group (CRG)toby

Research Fields:

Fibre Reinforced Polymer Shapes and Systems in Structural Engineering


Postal Address:
School of Engineering
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL
UK
 

Telephone: +44 (0)24 76 522528

Fax: +44 (0)024 76 418922

Email: J.T.Mottram@warwick.ac.uk 

Room: A303

 Education 

  • BSc (Engineering Science) University of Durham, 1979
  • PhD University of Durham, 1984
  • DSc University of Warwick, 2007

Professional Affiliations 

 
Research Interests: for Modern Methods of Construction using Low Impact Materials

Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for modern methods of construction  

  • Structural characterisation of lightweight systems for achieving sustainable construction.
  • Structural engineering towards developing member shapes and methods of connection for traditional and innovative construction.
  • Physical testing, design and analysis of members, connections and joints, and sub-assemblies for load bearing systems of pultruded FRP shapes and systems.
  • Structural integrity and durability of materials and structures.
  • Test methods for characterisation of FRP materials and their structures.
  • Preparation of prescriptive and performance based design rules and procedures for industry-wide standards and codes of practice.
  • Application of finite element analysis and other computational methods to understand the static, buckling and dynamic responses of FRP structures.
  • Development of novel structural systems combining concrete with FRP material.

 Connections and Joints for Buildings and Bridges of Fibre Reinforced Polymer

Toby Mottam is the PI of a programme of research work (2010-14) with Research Fellow (Dr Jawed Qureshi) and PhD student (Navroop Matharu). The objectives of this EPSRC project are:

  1. to develop a test methodology for the determination of pin-bearing strength, and to characterise this key strength property required for the design of bolted connections with FRP shapes.
  2. to complete a series of plate-to-plate tests that characterise the resistance of bolted connections of pultruded material, having details that correspond to practice, and which, by addressing current knowledge gaps, identified by the PI from drafting a ASCE ‘code of practice’, shall lead the research team to propose new or improved design guidance that is required for a structural Eurocode and that will reduce the risk of failure.
  3. to conduct and evaluate a programme of new tests on sub-assembly specimens to characterise bolted connections for bracing members and frame connections for simple construction, for both serviceability (static and fatigue) and ultimate limit states, so that we can understand their structural limitations for code writing.
  4. to develop and characterise a new mechanical fastener that shall give slip (and fatigue) resistant connections and can be used with FRP shapes to fabricate larger built-up members than present and, with appropriate connection components, could allow joint details to provide stiffness and strength properties for bridge engineering.
  5. to use a critical evaluation of the targeted test results to either revise or modify current design provisions so that the risk of structural failure is minimised as we strive for minimum weight structures for sustainable construction.

Startlink Lightweight Building System (for low cost housing and other applications) 

  1. Toby Mottam is the PI of a programme of work with PhD student Behrouz Zafari) for the £1.3m project "Startlink lightweight building system", sponsored by the UK Government (Technology Strategy Board) and industrial partners, including Exel Composites, OCS Structural Plastics, Larkfleet House and Costain. From 1st January 2009 the consortium is to develop energy-efficient, low-cost housing that is rapid to build by developing a family of lightweight pultruded fibre reinforced polymer and fire-resistant calcium silicate based profiles, and innovative labour-saving assembly techniques. Using thin or core-filled profiles to reduce material cost, the consortium will engineer snap-fit assembly and hollow dowelled joints to minimise labour. Engineering analysis will optimise the new profiles and consider whole house performance, resulting in the construction of a two-storey, three-bed, low-cost house that automatically meets Passivhaus standards. Designed for buildability and adaptability, the Startlink system will avoid all site waste and require no skilled labour, concrete or wet trades. Water saving measures and flood resistance will be integrated into the building design.

 Standard for Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) of Pultruded Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Structures (completed November 2010)

  • The team of Professor Larry Bank (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Professor Russell Gentry (Georgia Institute of Technology), Professor Carol Sheild (University of Minnesota) and myself have completed two chapters on "Design for Members in Flexure and Shear" and "Design of Bolted Connections" for a new America Society of Civil Engineers standard. I led the task for the a chapter to design bolted connections. This three year project, with $1.4m of funding from the Amercian Composites Manufacturers Association (http://www.acmanet.org/index.cfm). Prestandard with ASCE Standards Committee to pass though an ANSI standards process before being adopted as a national standard.

Awards

  • IStructE 2011 Service Award: 'For your much valued and extensive support to the Midland Counties Branch over a period of many years'.

 External Appointments

"Learning the lessons of the past is as important as understanding the possibilities of the future."
  1. A new addition to the prestigious ICE Proceedings suite of journals, Forensic Engineering focuses on examining not only failure but also under-performance or non-compliance to promote understanding and future best-practice. The journal is chaired by Eur Ing Prof. Costas Georgopoulos. Forensic Engineering equipes the engineering community with the knowledge to achieve the highest standards i constructing facilities and encourages the effective application of engineering principles on the ground. Forensic Engineering is essential reading for engineers and other practitioners such as architects and projects managers in government, industry and academia, particularly those concerned with constructed facilities that fail to perform as intended.
  2. The journal is currently welcoming submissions from the academic and practitioner communities in civil engineering. To read more about the journal, visit the homepage where you can view the full aims and scope and editorial advisory panel.
  • Member of EPSRC Peer Review College (2000-)
  • Member of NGCC (the UK's Network Group for Composites in Construction) (Jan. 2004-)
  • BSI nominated UK member to CEN/TC 250 (Structual Eurocode) Working Group 4 for Fiber Reinforced Polymer Structures. Co-ordinator of sub-group to prepare Chapter on Design of Joints for tecehnical report to new construction made from FRP structural elements (2009-2015)
  • Member of ASCE Fiber Composites and Polymers Standards Committee (Jan 2011-).
  • Member of EPSRC Network LIMESNET (Network for Low Impact Materials and Innovative Engineering Solutions for Ground and Structural Engineering) (2011-2012)
  • Past Chairman to IStructE Midland Counties Branch (Session 2010)
  • Member of IStructE Council (Sessions 2005-08)
  • Past member of IStructE Journal Editorial Board for The Structural Engineer (Sessions 2005-2011)
  • Past Member of IStructE Research Panel (Sessions 2003-10)

 Teaching Interests  

 Administration  
  • Stream leader for Civil Engineering and Business in School of Engineering (from 01/06/10)
  • Director of MSc Programme (School of Engineering - to 01/09/10)

Current and Recent Research Fellows

  • J. Qureshi, 'Aspects of Bolted Connections for Fibre Reinforced Polymer Structures,' 2010-2013 (EPSRC funded project).

Current and Recent Higher Degree Students 

  • M. Khador, 'Efficient steel joint connecting I-beam to elliptical hollow section column for seismic actions,' co-supervisor with Tak-Ming Chan (First), FT PhD 2010-2013 (University of Warwick).
  • T. Sheehan, 'Strength, ductility and energy absorption of tubular column assemblies,' co-supervisor with Tak-Ming Chan (First), FT PhD 2010-2013 (University of Warwick).
  • T. N. Tien, 'Buckling Behaviour of FRP shapes,' co-supervisor with Tak-Ming Chan (First), FT PhD 2010-2013 (Vitnamese Government Scholarship and School of Engineering).
  • N. Matharu, 'Aspects of Bolted Connections for Fibre Reinforced Polymer Structures,' FT PhD 2010-2013 (EPSRC funded project).
  • B. Zafari, "Startlink Building System and Connections for Fibre Reinforced Polymer Structures," FT PhD 2009-2012 (TSB funded project).
  • A Khalifa, "Processing and Characterisation of Cementitious Materials Reinforced with Fibres," FT PhD 2007-2010 (Jointly with Dr Phil Purnell, Leeds University)
  • K. Butcher, "FEA based Fatigue Life Assessment of an Aircraft Wheel's Locking System," PT PhD 2006-2011 (Confidential, industry-based project)
  • M. Hazel, "Aircraft Brake Condition Monitoring: A Novel Approach in Determining the Remaining Life of Carbon-Carbon Composite Heat-packs In-service," EngD thesis, 2008. (Confidential industry-based project)
  • I. T. Pearson, "A Method for the Inclusion of Adhesively Bonded Joints in the Finite Element Analysis of Automobile Structures," PhD thesis, 2006.
  • A. Elnur Abbaker, “Behaviour of lightweight framing systems”. PhD thesis, 2006.
  • M. C. Evernden, “Structural evaluation of a novel box beam system of PFRP shapes”. PhD thesis, 2006.
  • C. Lutz, “Structural integrity of bolted joints for PFRP profiles." PhD thesis, 2005.
  • W. Hall, “Finite modelling and simulation for a smart tyre”, PhD thesis, 2003. (Joint supervisor with Dr R. P. Jones)
Current and Recent Grants 

  • Startlink Lightweight Building System, Toby Mottram (local PI) with EXEL Composites (project PI), and six industrial partners (Startlink Ltd., John Hutinson Architect, Larkfleet Homes, OCS Plastics, Optima Ltd. and Costain), Technology Strategy Board (Low Impact Building Competition of Summer 2008), 01/01/2009 for 36 months, £80k from total funding of £1.3M.

Publications co-authored by Toby Mottram

List of publications  

Commenatary to DSc thesis that delevlops my research in context of its contribution to engineering knowledge and scientific understanding.

Literature database on R&D with Pultruded Fibre Reinforced Polymer shapes and systems (Updated on the first of the month)
 
Over 1950 entries. Open database (details of publications not in the database are always welcomed: e-mail them to J.T.Mottram@warwick.ac.uk)
 
Presentations