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Type
Lecture

Harding Memorial Lecture 2024: What could possibly go wrong?

Event organised by The British Tunnelling Society

Date
21 November 2024
Time

This event has now ended

Overview

Charles Allen, director of OTB Concrete Ltd, will outline his 50 years in the construction industry and discuss the causes of errors in the tunnelling sector, including a lack of engineering judgment.

With 60% to 80% of embodied carbon contained in the shaft and tunnel linings of a tunnelling project, he will emphasise the urgent need to decarbonise concrete linings and question the current assumption that shotcrete final linings are beneficial for carbon reduction. He will also address the often-overlooked issue of sewer tunnel lining deterioration caused by biogenic corrosion, presenting testing results and potential concrete solutions.

Lastly, he will discuss developments in geopolymer concrete, its use in the UK, and the publication of BSI Flex 350, the Code of Practice for Alternative Binder Systems for Lower Carbon Concrete.

Following the lecture, there will be a networking session with food and drinks at ICE Kendal's Cafe.

Drinks sponsored by

Master Builders Solutions

Master Builders Solutions

Master Builders Solutions is a leading global manufacturer of concrete technologies dedicated to revolutionizing the construction industry with sustainable solutions that inspire people to build better.

Food sponsored by

HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture (HMJV)

HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture (HMJV)

HOCHTIEF-MURPHY Joint Venture (HMJV) have been delivering major infrastructure in the UK over the last three decades. HMJV is proud to be able to support the Harding Memorial lecture and the sharing of knowledge within the tunnelling industry for the generations ahead.

Organised by

British Tunnelling Society

British Tunnelling Society

The BTS is a dynamic group of tunnelling professionals sharing knowledge within the industry.

Speaker

Charles Allen

Charles Allen

OTB Concrete

director

Read more

Charles Allen

Charles is a leading specialist in concrete engineering and construction materials with over 50 years experience. His experience includes the use of concrete for civil, building and tunnelling applications. 
After a number of years working in the construction chemicals industry in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai, in 2000 he was appointed of Managing Director of the International Centre for Geotechnics and Underground Construction based in Zurich, a foundation responsible for the training and qualification of staff for tunnelling projects.

More recently, Charles has been involved as a consultant to a number of different organisations within the civil engineering and tunnelling sectors and has recently been advising joint venture contractors on the Deep Tunnel Sewer System, Phase 2 project in Singapore, the Central Interceptor Tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand, the Sydney Metro to West Sydney Airport railway, Australia and the Thames Tideway project.
Charles is a fellow of the Concrete Society and a member of the Institute of Concrete Technology.

For more information please contact:

Shelly-Ann Russell

Sustainable Development Goals: