Ingenieurs et Scientifiques de France British Section
The British Section of IESF links Anglo-French engineering and science as part of a global French Learned Society.
- Date
- 29 April 2026
- Time
- 17:30 - 19:30 BST
- Location
-
The Caledonian Club 9 Halkin Street London, SW1X 7DR United Kingdom
This event has now ended
Overview
Metallurgists occupy a niche role in the world of engineering of structures. In this lecture, Euro Engineer Alan Denney will illustrate how interesting and varied that role can be.
Alan will talk about his work in the 1970s in the Materials Group in Arup’s R&D department, which was a ‘doctor’s surgery’ for issues with construction materials, whilst focussing on Centre Pompidou in Paris and Bush Lane House in London.
Alan conducted studies for the use of castings for the structure of the Centre Pompidou and its protection against fire by the use of internal water cooling.
The structural solution for Bush Lane House developed out of the work on Centre Pompidou, but, in addition, it is the world’s first building with a structure of cast duplex stainless steel. Its lattice steel structure is also protected from fire by internal water filling.
These projects reflected the growing workload in R&D on fire engineering, which became increasingly significant during the rest of the 70s to the present day.
Alan will illustrate how the innovations of that time led to a fresh appreciation of the use of castings for structures, illustrated with examples from the offshore industry.
How to register your attendance
Please register your free place by using the link provided or by emailing [email protected] with your name and company name.
Any IESF non-members wishing to book just the drinks reception at £10 per person, or the drinks reception and dinner at £115 per person, should request a booking form by emailing [email protected]
Programme
17:30 - 18:00
Registration and refreshment
18:00 - 19:00
Lecture
19:10 - 19:40
Drinks reception
19:40 - 22:00
Dinner
22:00
Close
Speaker
Alan Denney EURO Eng
metallurgist and welding expert
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Alan Denney EURO Eng
Alan Denney has practiced as a metallurgist for over 55 years, finding solutions to the questions raised by structural, mechanical, chemical, marine, and pipeline engineers regarding the right material for steel structures, pipelines, ships and submarines, and the means of welding them and preventing them from failing by fire, fatigue, sudden fracture or corrosion.
While working at Arup he became involved with The Welding Institute and studied for an MSc in Welding Technology at Cranfield University, where he was awarded the British Oxygen prize for his academic work and dissertation.
After returning to Arup, he joined John Brown in offshore platform construction. He worked with John Brown Companies for over 25 years, mainly as a technology head or Chief Engineer working on offshore platforms, pipelines, defence engineering and process facilities.
After setting up a specialist consultancy for what is now Wood PLC, he moved on to Saipem, where he was the Manager responsible for welding and materials for North Sea and Baltic operations for nine years. His work there related mainly to offshore pipelay projects, including the Balgzand-Bacton interconnector pipeline to the Netherlands and Nordstream 1.
After retiring Alan performed Expert witness work on projects including offshore platforms, pipelines, process plant and steel structures.
Throughout his working life Alan has been heavily involved with The Welding Institute. He has sat on Council, and Professional Board, currently runs the programme of activities of London Branch and is its immediate Past-President.
He was one of the founders of the Institute’s journal, ‘Welding and Joining Matters’ which started in 2022 and he is currently its editor.
Sustainable Development Goals:
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