BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Newcomen.com - ECPv6.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Newcomen.com X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.newcomen.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Newcomen.com REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241002T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241002T193000 DTSTAMP:20240926T083531Z CREATED:20240906T104933Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T083531Z UID:15738-1727892000-1727897400@www.newcomen.com SUMMARY:'The history of Vierendeel railway bridges in Belgium and the Congo' by Professor Bernard Espion DESCRIPTION:This event is both an in-person and on-line event. No need to register – just come along or click this zoom link to join on-line. \nThis is a joint meeting with the Institution of Structural Engineers History Study Group \nThe “Vierendeel” type bridge takes its name from the Belgian professor Arthur Vierendeel\, who patented the principle in 1895 and intensively promoted it as a replacement for the truss bridge. From the outset\, Vierendeel envisaged this type of bridge being used for railway bridges. That said\, the very first railway bridge of this type was not built in Belgium until 1922. Then\, on the initiative of one of Vierendeel’s former students\, it was used for some forty spans on the BCK railway line in the Congo in the 1920s. Finally\, in the 1930s\, the national railway company adopted the Vierendeel type for the construction of a number of long-span bridges in Belgium. The Mechelen bridge mentioned above is part of this series. \nAt the same time\, the Vierendeel bridge type was also adopted en masse for the construction of around forty road bridges over the future Albert Canal\, currently under construction. But unlike the rail bridges\, which were always riveted\, the road bridges were built using the new and little-experienced technique of arc welding. This led to the famous accident in March 1938\, when the Hasselt welded bridge collapsed into the Albert Canal. \nProfessor Bernard Espion has studied the history of these welded Vierendeel road bridges and their importance in the history of brittle fracture in various publications. However\, he has never reported on the history of the Vierendeel rail bridges which\, to his knowledge\, were only used in Congo and Belgium. There are a large number of them in the Congo that are almost 100 years old\, and a few more in Belgium. \nThe history of these Vierendeel rail bridges will be the subject of Professor Bernard Espion‘s presentation\, along with a few lessons drawn from the very recent expert examination of this bridge in Mechelen concerning the properties of the steel used at the time in Belgium. \nAbout the Speaker\nProfessor Bernard Espion graduated in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnical School of the University of Brussels (Université Libre de Bruxelles\, ULB) in 1979. He earned his doctoral degree in 1986 with a dissertation on the Numerical modelling and analysis of the nonlinear and time-dependent behaviour of concrete structures. \nBetween 2000 and 2021\, Professor Espion was the Director of the Laboratory for testing Materials and Structures\, a laboratory with origins in 1924. He taught courses on Structural Analysis and Design of Steel and Concrete Structures. Since 2021\, he has been Professor Emeritus from the University of Brussels (ULB) where he has spent his whole scientific and academic career in the Department of Civil Engineering. \nProfessor Espion’s themes of research from 1980 to 2006 were mainly in structural concrete and concrete technology. He acquired an extensive experience of testing of materials and structures and in situ stress analysis of bridges. \nSince 2002\, his research interests have mostly been in Construction History and Conservation of heritage engineering structures\, specializing in the history of Construction in Belgium (19th-20th Centuries)\, with emphasis on concrete and steel structures\, construction materials\, biographies of engineers\, bridges\, thin concrete shells and lightweight cable roof structures. URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/the-history-of-vierendeel-railway-bridges-in-belgium-and-the-congo-by-professor-bernard-espion/ LOCATION:LONDON Alan Baxter Gallery\, 75 Cowcross St\, Clerkenwell\, London\, EC1M 6EL CATEGORIES:Newcomen Online Lecture,UK - London Branch ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/24-10-02_Vierendeel-railway-bridges-in-Belgium-and-the-Congo_1920x1280.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - London Branch":MAILTO:office@newcomen.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241002T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241002T210000 DTSTAMP:20241001T134912Z CREATED:20240930T112447Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241001T134912Z UID:15794-1727895600-1727902800@www.newcomen.com SUMMARY:'The Nice Parts of Technical Curatorship' by Dr Jim Andrew DESCRIPTION:Joining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register.\nJoining us ON LINE – click on this zoom link before the event to join in. \nThis is a joint meeting with Thinktank: Birmingham Science Museum \nMost of a senor curator’s time is spent on typical management activities as in any other job\, but from time to time the curator can do some research or hand on aspects of exhibits’ history or use. \nThis talk will look at a few of these sagas and even blocking attempts to “poach” the exhibits for display elsewhere\, or dare one say it\, to sell! \nAbout the Speaker\nDr Jim Andrew was Honorary Secretary of the Midlands Branch of the Newcomen Society\, and is currently Chairman. \nAfter starting his working life in environmental protection for local government\, he joined the Birmingham Museum Service at the Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry\, where he remained\, as curator responsible for the Science Museum’s technical collection. \nAlthough now retired\, Dr Jim Andrew remains as a volunteer technical adviser at the Thinktank Museum. URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/the-nice-parts-of-technical-curatorship-by-dr-jim-andrew/ LOCATION:BIRMINGHAM Think Tank\, Birmingham Science Museum\,\, Curzon Street\, Birmingham\, West Midlands\, B4 7XG CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - Midlands Branch ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/24-10-02_TheNicePartsOfTechnicalCuratorship_1920x1280.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - Midland Branch":MAILTO:midlands@newcomen.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241009T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241009T193000 DTSTAMP:20240926T084258Z CREATED:20240906T094829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T084258Z UID:15731-1728496800-1728502200@www.newcomen.com SUMMARY:'Measuring the Metre' by Dr Terry Quinn FRS DESCRIPTION:This event is both an in-person and on-line event. No need to register – just come along or click this zoom link to join on-line. \nThe great revolution in metrology began with the redefinition of the Metre in terms of the wavelength of light. From antiquity\, practical dimensional measurement standards had all been based upon material artifacts and measurement of time on the rotation of the Earth. \nAll of that changed in 2018 when the base units of the SI were redefined in terms of fixed values of a set of fundamental and atomic constants. \nThe lecture will explain how practical measurement standards can be obtained from such definitions. \nAbout the Speaker\nDr Terry Quinn graduated from Southampton University in physics in 1959 and then moved to Oxford for his D. Phil in what was then the Metallurgy Department. His thesis supervisor was Professor William Hume-Rothery FRS. \nIn 1962\, Dr Quinn joined the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington where he worked on high-temperature measurement and standards. In 1967/68 he spent a year at the then National Bureau of Standards in Washington. \nDr Quinn moved to the BIPM in Paris in 1977 as Deputy Director becoming Director in 1988. He was Lady Margaret Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Cavendish Laboratory Cambridge in 1984/84.  \nDr Quinn retired from the BIPM in 2003. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2002. URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/measuring-the-metre-by-dr-terry-quinn-frs/ LOCATION:LONDON Alan Baxter Gallery\, 75 Cowcross St\, Clerkenwell\, London\, EC1M 6EL CATEGORIES:Newcomen Online Lecture,UK - London Branch ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/24-10-09_MeasuringTheMetre_1920x1280.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - London Branch":MAILTO:office@newcomen.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241022T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241022T200000 DTSTAMP:20240930T132027Z CREATED:20240930T132027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240930T132027Z UID:15799-1729621800-1729627200@www.newcomen.com SUMMARY:'Engineering of roads & airfields for military victory with bituminous geomembranes' by Eugene Gallagher & William Craig DESCRIPTION:An in-person event only. No need to sign up\, just come along – all are welcome. \nThe presentation will explore the history of bituminous geomembranes from its origins in the 1930s and subsequent development during World War II for the rapid construction of military roads and runways right up to the current day. \nThese materials were manufactured in large quantities in support of the Allied air and land forces and were to play a significant role in battles of the Burma campaign and in the immediate aftermath of the Normandy landings. In Asia they were used to create airfields and all-weather roads\, keeping supply lines open and enabling fast movement of troops\, particularly during the monsoon season. In northern France and Belgium in 1944/45 they allowed rapid surfacing of temporary or expedient airfields by sealing the ground and maintaining the existing soil’s bearing capacity\, thereby enabling close tactical air support to be maintained with rapidly advancing ground forces.\n \nAbout the Speakers\nEugene Gallagher is an associate geotechnical engineer with Coffey Geotechnics based in Manchester\, where he acts as a focus for geosynthetics and containment engineering and consults internationally. \nWilliam Craig is now a visiting academic\, formerly Reader in geotechnical engineering\, at Manchester University and past chair of the British Geotechnical Society.  \nBill and Eugene will discuss the historical aspects of the development and deployment of bituminous geomembranes based on their research into its wartime use. URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/engineering-of-roads-airfields-for-military-victory-with-bituminous-geomembranes-by-eugene-gallagher-william-craig/ LOCATION:MANCHESTER International Anthony Burgess Foundation\, Engine House\, Chorlton Mill\, 3 Cambridge Street\,\, Manchester\, M1 5BY CATEGORIES:UK - North Western Branch ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/24-10-22_EngineeringForMilitaryVictoryWithBituminousGeomembranes_1920x1280.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - North Western Branch":MAILTO:catherine.casson@manchester.ac.uk END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241028T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241028T200000 DTSTAMP:20241028T120007Z CREATED:20241028T120007Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241028T120007Z UID:15844-1730140200-1730145600@www.newcomen.com SUMMARY:'Technology and health: the history of the science behind the cure' by Dr Jenny Stephenson DESCRIPTION:Joining us IN PERSON – just turn up\, there’s no need to register.\nJoining us ON LINE – Meeting ID – 840 6763 5852 \nDr Jenny Stephenson will be covering the medical history of some of the common treatments and procedures we know today\, asking which represent groundbreaking changes and which have remained much the same over decades\, and why. \nAbout the Speaker\nDr Jenny Stephenson was a GP until recently when she left the Practice after 40 years service. Her interest in history has led to a Diploma in Medical History and quite a few talks delivered locally\, to raise money for charity. \nJenny has written two relevant books for this talk. One is about the history of General Practice and the other is about the evolving relationship through the history of pharmacists and doctors. All proceeds go towards local charities. URL:https://www.newcomen.com/activity/technology-and-health-the-history-of-the-science-behind-the-cure-by-dr-jenny-stephenson/ LOCATION:SHEFFIELD Kelham Island Museum\, Alma Street\, Sheffield\, South Yorkshire\, S3 8RG CATEGORIES:Shed Talks (Newcomen Online),UK - South Yorkshire Branch ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.newcomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/24-10-28_TechnologyAndHealthThe-historyOfTheScienceBehindTheCure_1920x1280.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Newcomen - South Yorkshire Branch":MAILTO:meetings.syorks@newcomen.com END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR