Introduction HS2 is not being built as a short-term transport solution. It is a piece of national infrastructure designed to operate for more than a century, carrying high-speed services through tunnels, across viaducts and into complex station environments day after day. When infrastructure is expected to perform for that long, [...]
Introduction Reinforced concrete sits at the heart of HS2’s physical infrastructure. From tunnel wall pillars and equipment bases to drainage structures and retaining elements, concrete provides the mass, stability and durability required for a high-speed railway designed to operate for more than a century. Traditionally, steel reinforcement has been the [...]
High Speed 2, known simply as HS2, stands as one of Britain’s most ambitious infrastructure endeavours in decades, poised to transform rail travel between London and the Midlands and, in its original conception, beyond. Even amid controversy over costs and timelines this high-speed rail project continues to make headlines for [...]
Introduction Every building project starts with the same crucial decision: which materials will deliver the right balance of performance, cost, and sustainability? For decades, the default answers have been concrete, steel, timber, brick, glass, or stone. These are familiar, readily available, and embedded in industry standards. But what looks affordable [...]
Introduction The construction industry is at the heart of the climate challenge. Around 40 percent of global carbon emissions are linked to buildings and infrastructure, from the energy used in producing steel and concrete to the maintenance required to keep assets operational. Clients, regulators, and end users are no longer [...]
Introduction The drive toward net zero is reshaping the construction industry. From schools and hospitals to data centres and transport infrastructure, projects are expected to use environmentally friendly building materials that not only reduce carbon but also prove safe, durable, and efficient in practice. Traditional choices like steel, concrete, and [...]
Introduction Housebuilding is changing. Homeowners, developers, and local authorities are demanding eco friendly building materials for houses that reduce carbon, improve safety, and last longer. Traditional choices such as timber, steel, and concrete remain dominant, but all bring challenges. Timber requires preservatives to resist decay. Steel corrodes and needs painting [...]
Introduction The global construction industry is under pressure to transform. Clients, governments, and end users are demanding that infrastructure projects reduce embodied carbon, improve durability, and deliver long-term value. Traditional materials such as steel, concrete, and timber have delivered the built environment for centuries, but they are no longer sufficient [...]
Introduction Every building project starts with the same crucial decision: which materials will deliver the right balance of performance, cost, and sustainability? For decades, the default answers have been concrete, steel, timber, brick, glass, or stone. These are familiar, readily available, and embedded in industry standards. But what looks affordable [...]
Introduction Switching to Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) can deliver benefits in durability, safety, and sustainability, but many engineers and specifiers hesitate because they are less familiar with its standards, design parameters, and installation requirements. In reality, specifying GRP follows a logical process similar to traditional materials, with a few key [...]
