Our Structural Fire Research Engineer Fanqin Meng has recently investigated how far passive protection on the primary beam needs to extend when the slab panel method is used. When the slab panel method (SPM) design procedure is used, unprotected secondary beams are connected into protected primary beams. This raises the question as to how far the…
Each year, we seek member feedback and input into the research programs that HERA should focus on for the following year. These are then considered by the Steel Research Panel, which comprises a range of HERA members and recommendations are made to the CEO. The CEO then includes these in the budget that the HERA…
HERA is excited to announce that we have been successful in the 2022 round of the prestigious Endeavour Fund and awarded a grant of close to $10.3 million to support a four-year Construction 4.0 research project. The Endeavour Fund is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, and plays a unique role in…
HERA is pleased to announce the publication of HERA Report R4-159 – Common language in Structures as Steel Banks The HERA “Structures as Steel Banks (SASB)” project has identified the need to define the “common language” used in steel construction. There is a risk of misunderstanding key concepts and impeding clear communication in an interdisciplinary…
We are pleased to announce the launch of our online corrosivity map to enable our members to search by address to quickly and precisely determine a recommended corrosion classification for their project. Developed in collaboration with NIWA, these corrosion maps were first published in SNZ TS3404:2018 based on our past research projects. These paper-based maps…
HERA is pleased to announce the publication of HERA Report R4-156 – Seismic Design of Moment Resisting Frames This report has been authored by A/Prof G. Charles Clifton of the University of Auckland, Dr Kaveh Andisheh of HERA and Zahid Hamid of SCNZ. The report is the result of significant edits to the Moment Resisting…
Significant updates to HERA report R4-131 Design of Composite Steel Floor Systems for Severe Fires (slab panel method (SPM) design guide) HERA is pleased to announce the re-publication of updated HERA Report R4-131:2022 – Design of Composite Steel floor Systems for Severe Fires. This updated report has been authored by Associate Professor Charles Clifton…
A healthy sustainability solution for structural engineers: nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is reused. Traditionally, structural engineers have followed optimisation procedures to reduce material usage, increase the efficiency of designed systems, and consequently reduce negative environmental impacts. Recently, a new procedure, termed ‘healthy sustainability’ has emerged, aimed at creating positive rather than reducing…
We’re excited to let industry know that Reza Kordani has joined our Structural Systems team this week. Reza brings to HERA over four years’ of consulting experience in Aotearoa, and we’re very excited to bring this ‘commercial’ understanding to our research at hand so we can better serve our members. Reza studied his Bachelor of…
We’re excited to let industry know that Fanqin Meng has joined our Structural Systems team to assist with our focus on structural fire performance research. Fanqin is joining the HERA Structural team for a six month period to contribute to two key structural fire projects. These projects will be conducted in collaboration with the University…
We’re excited to announce that HERA’s long-anticipated Composite Design Software is now available for our members. In 2019, our Steel Research Panel identified it was important to develop electronic tools to support AS/NZS 2327 to allow our membership to better exploit the benefits of this standard. Responding to that feedback, we are pleased to release…
Data on the cool down phase for timber structures is something designers and regulators need to consider when it comes to load carrying capacity of CLT structures. This thinking comes about after noting an interesting paper in the recent issue of Fire Safety Journal highlighting the critical aspect of the cool down phase for timber…