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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M95936/01
Title: PROCESS AND DESIGN OPTIMISATION OF COLD ROLLED SHEET AND SECTIONS
Principal Investigator: Lu, Dr T
Other Investigators:
Barlow, Dr CY
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Banro Holdings plc Lafarge Plasterboard Ltd
Department: Engineering
Organisation: University of Cambridge
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 March 2000 Ends: 30 September 2003 Value (£): 234,426
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
A high percentage of the final product cost of cold-formed sections is in the raw material. For steel sections to become a viable alternative to timber, the amount of steel in the section must be minimised for a given application. It is also vital to optimise manufacturing processes to ensure high throughput on mills and low downtime. Traditionally, design optimisations have been empirical and there has been little evidence of application of highly advanced development tools such as the method of finite elements. The objective from the product perspective is to reduce the material content of the sections which will further accelerate the trend from timber to steel in the construction industry. Even rough empirical developments in this area have resulted in savings of more than 10% in raw material content. This research project will explore scientific ways in which rolling process and section design might be optimised to achieve enhanced properties without increasing the material content or reducing the production speeds. The deformed sheets with optimised rib patterns can be used to fabricate structural sandwich panels and cardboards which may have wide industrial applications.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cam.ac.uk