Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

Nuaire puts sustainability at the fore at UK Construction Week, Birmingham

UK ventilation manufacturer Nuaire will proudly be displaying its sustainability credentials at this year’s UK Construction Week at the NEC, Birmingham, 30th September – 2nd October, on stand D71.

 

With increasing emphasis being placed on reducing embodied carbon within mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems – which are estimated to account for around 23% of a building’s embodied carbon – Nuaire is leading the ventilation industry in its drive to substitute high carbon materials with more sustainable alternatives, without compromising performance, reliability, or indoor air quality.

Nuaire is the first UK ventilation manufacturer to switch to recycled and renewably produced XCarb® steel across its BPS air handling units and XBOXER XBC packaged heat recovery systems, the latter of which will be on display at UK Construction Week. This shift will result in a 64% reduction on the steel proportion of Nuaire’s SCOPE 3 embodied carbon activity within the first year alone, compared with the same steel manufactured via the conventional steelmaking route.

Similarly, plastics used in residential ventilation systems and ducting often rely on virgin fossil-based polymers.  Nuaire has changed to recycled plastic for its ducting, which will also be displayed at the show, along with Ductmaster Thermal all-in-one thermal ducting solution Nuaire’s metal air brick range for use in high-rise residential buildings.

In line with the sustainability theme of Nuaire’s stand at this year’s UK Construction Week, the latest evolution in Nuaire’s Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) unit will be revealed.  Highly effective at preventing condensation dampness, PIV technology was invented by Nuaire over 50 years ago, and continues to be developed for greater efficiency and sustainability.  With Awaabs Law coming into force on the 27th October in the social rented sector, and being extended to the private rental sector, Drimaster remains a highly effective solution for landlords to prevent damp and mould.

Of course, ventilation doesn’t just protect against damp and mould, it is effective in addressing overheating, a more modern day issue to be found in many urban high-rise new builds. Nuaire will be showing its Hybrid Cooling System at UK Construction Week, which has been designed to tackle residential overheating in properties where window openings are limited and insufficient to naturally ventilate excess heat.  The Nuaire Hybrid Cooling unit works in tandem with its MRXBOX MVHR.  It activates when indoor temperatures exceed a threshold—typically 23°C—and introduces pre-cooled fresh air to help maintain occupant comfort.

Also on display at this year’s UK Construction Week will be Nuaire’s Faith-Plus from decentralised mechanical extract ventilation (dMEV) fan, designed to provide Building Regulations compliant continuous background extract ventilation for social housing.

Providing customers with a true breadth of ventilation solutions and expertise, whether it be the residential new build sector, social housing or commercial applications, Nuaire ventilation systems are renowned for saving energy and improving indoor air quality.

Nuaire is part of the Genuit Group of businesses which serve the construction industry.

CLICK HERE for information on Nuaire

 VISIT us atstand D71 at UK Construction Week

 

CLICK HERE to register for UK Construction Week

 

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Welsh Slate helps a station building whose life was on the line

     

Ffestiniog slates from Welsh Slate

feature on the Cambrian Railways Building

 

A dilapidated railway station building has been brought back from the brink of dereliction with a little help from Welsh Slate.

Some 16,000 of the leading UK manufacturer’s 500mm x 300mm Ffestiniog Blue Grey Capital-grade slates now adorn the roof of the historic Grade II listed Cambrian Railways Building in the market town of Oswestry on the Shropshire/Welsh border.

It has been three years since the building has been properly visible as it was shrouded in scaffolding following storm damage in 2022 when a number of eaves corbels became loose. These are specifically referenced in the Listing by Historic England and are a key feature of the building.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and owners Shropshire Council, this £630,000 phase of the renovation scheme has been completed in nine months by local building conservation specialists Phillips and Curry in conjunction with consulting architectural technicians Donal Insall, Cambrian Heritage Railways, Oswestry Town Council and the Future Oswestry Group.

Work has included removing dangerous asbestos roof tiles and replacing them with 750m2 of the ones from Welsh Slate’s Ffestiniog quarry, and restoring the building’s exterior to prevent falling masonry, as well as giving windows and doors a fresh coat of Cambrian Railway colours.

The scheme has also included installing nesting boxes for swifts under the eaves as well as bat roosting tiles along the roof which features six large chimneys and multiple hips and valleys. The Ffestiniog slates were graded into four thicknesses by Philips and Curry before they were laid and fixed with large-headed copper clouts.

Due to the tight site, Philips and Curry installed a haki scaffold stair to improve roof access for site operatives, along with a rack and pinion goods hoist to safely lift all materials to roof level.

The Cambrian Station Building boasts a rich history that stretches back to the mid-1860s. Once serving as the local railway station and the Cambrian Railway headquarters, it was key in connecting Oswestry and North Wales. Though still used seasonally by the Cambrian Heritage Railway, the building needed major investment to stay safe and functional.

Shropshire Council’s property management arm, Property Services Group (PSG), found the original Victorian roof, which would have been Welsh Slate from the quarries served by the Cambrian Railway, required significant repair and restoration.

A report by the council’s Historic Environments team identified several areas of “large-scale damage” caused by rainwater from the leaking roof, along with what they described as “the combined effect of material saturation, construction defect, inappropriate intervention and poor maintenance.”

Significant renovations had been made in the 1970s but these included the replacement of the original Welsh slates with a ceramic composite tile which contained asbestos, and the removal of many of the building’s architectural features.

It was originally thought it would be possible to save most of the nearly 300 existing eaves corbels by just replacing the worst of the delaminating and loose ones, but after thorough testing and trialling on site, it was decided longevity of repair could not be guaranteed.

Shropshire Council sought building consent and instructed Phillips and Curry to remove all 300 corbels and install new. These were moulded and manufactured from eco-friendly Jesmonite which is identical in appearance to the original Roman cement but is a more stable casting compound.

For a birds eye view of the project, CLICK ON the link below to watch the drone video

Philips and Curry director Michael Curry, a heritage roofer by trade, said:

“The roofing itself was straightforward. What was challenging was the long duration of time required in between stripping the roofs and then recovering them, which was approximately four months due to structural repairs to the roof structure and that all the new cast corbels needed to be fitted before the fascia boards could be fixed. It was a challenge keeping the building dry with temporary tarpaulins.”

He added:

“The Ffestiniog slates were great to lay. We are immensely proud of our heritage roofers for completing this exacting work and two weeks ahead of programme.”

 

Further structural work is required to its interior subject to further grant funding being available but, in the meantime, the Cambrian Heritage Railways have started their summer programme.

Shropshire Council has said it will be working to determine a long-term use for the building, with a scheme of internal improvements to bring the building up to a rentable standard.

 

Its senior project management officer Peter Gilbertson said:

“We’re so pleased that the scaffolding is finally coming down, and in time for Easter. This building holds significant cultural value for our community, and these essential repairs ensure it remains safe and usable for future generations.

“Since taking on the ownership of the building in 2023 lots of progress has been made. Whilst the scaffolding was in place we made some of the more fragile parts of the building safe, while retaining and reinstating its historic features where necessary. It really is a beautiful building and we’re proud to be involved in securing its future.”

 

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WELSH SLATE WEBSITE

 

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Building Safety Regulator Blamed for unacceptable delays

   Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor of London for housing and residential development

London’s failure to build even a third of the affordable homes it is meant to is down to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and former housing secretary Michael Gove, according to the capital’s deputy mayor for housing.

Tom Copley said the way the BSR – which regulates the construction of higher-risk buildings – was set up has led to “unacceptable” delays in building, partly due to its capacity and partly because of its interpretation of new post-Grenfell building safety regulations, he claims.

Work has only started on 5,535 affordable homes in London since 2021 – less than a third of City Hall’s target of 17,800 by 2026.

However, Copley said he was still “very confident” the mayor would hit the target – which was downgraded last year following an agreement with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) – and anticipated a “surge” in starts towards the end of this year.

He told the London Assembly housing committee:

“We are in an enormously challenging economic context, with some factors affecting London specifically.

“These include record material costs partly due to the war in Ukraine, increased labour costs due to Brexit, and 14 years of disinterest in affordable and social housing from the last government, and in the social housing sector in general.

“High interest rates have affected both supply, in terms of the cost of borrowing, and buyers, in terms of mortgage costs.

“Developing flats is more expensive and uncertain than houses – that has been affected particularly by high interest rates. Flat development in London makes up 96 per cent of our new homes compared to 17% in the rest of the country.

“While the mayor supports the principle of the BSR, the way it was set up by the previous government has led to absolutely unacceptable delays. This government has begun the process of reforming the BSR so we do expect that to improve.”

Last month Sir Sadiq Khan came under fire for his record after new figures revealed that just 347 new affordable homes were started between April and June this year.

The mayor has taken aim at the BSR as a primary factor in the lack of spades in the ground, saying last week that the “regulator hasn’t been fit for purpose”.

Copley told the committee:

“The BSR doesn’t have the capacity necessary to operate. The way the BSR has interpreted regulations has not been particularly helpful and I am very hopeful that the new leadership are going to be able to make the necessary changes.”

A BSR spokesperson told the LDRS:

“We don’t recognise this interpretation of our approach to enforcing regulation aimed at avoiding another tragedy like Grenfell.

“Most of the delays have been caused by developers failing to demonstrate their plans comply with longstanding regulations.

“We are working hard to speed up our processes while supporting industry to understand what they need to do. Ultimately, it is for developers to show their plans are safe, and already we are seeing more of them doing so successfully.”

In June, the MHCLG unveiled a new package of reforms for the BSR and appointed Andy Roe to help “evolve and improve” practices.

Sources at the Health and Safety Executive, which established the BSR in 2022, told the LDRS:

“The most significant cause of delays right now is the quality of applications from developers. However, around 70% of applications fail to do this and are therefore rejected.

“We accept the enforcement of building control standards by BSR has delayed some higher-risk building approvals. However, not enforcing the law risks the safety of residents in high-rise buildings. The purpose of the Building Safety Act, 2022 is to prevent the failures that led to the Grenfell tragedy ever happening again.”

Copley also suggested Gove’s delay in signing off the Affordable Homes Programme for London meant the capital was playing catch up.

The former Tory Housing Secretary did not rubber stamp the scheme until July 2023, with City Hall saying that work could not start on the new wave of affordable homes until later that year.

“We have had just 18 months,” Copley told assembly members. “For circumstances out of the mayor’s control and due to the previous housing sec, the [housebuilding] figure is not higher.”

Despite the issues, Copley said he was bullish on London’s future when it came to building affordable homes.

He claimed there will be the “usual hockey stick effect” – a sudden, sharp increase – in the final quarter of 2025 “because there is a very strong incentive for partners to meet the deadline in order to access funding”.

In July, the MHCLG announced that London will receive up to £11.7billion over ten years, 30% of the total national fund, to invest in building new homes for families on lower incomes.

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Ease discomfort as fourth heatwave hits UK

Heat-reflecting insulation could help ease discomfort as fourth heatwave hits UK

In the middle of the fourth heatwave of the year in England, insulation specialist Actis is reminding specifiers that installing certain types of insulation can actually help reduce the impact of extreme temperatures.

Amber heat health alerts are in place for parts of central and Southern England, with temperatures of up to 34 degrees hitting some areas.

“We all need to prepare to cope with the impact of the UK’s now regular heatwaves,” explained Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper. “Specifiers and builders need to futureproof the homes they build, and homeowners need to look at retrofitting where possible to ensure that as well as keeping them warm in winter, properties stay cool in summer.”

 

Some forms of insulation can make homes unbearably hot during heatwaves, but others, such as those in the Actis Hybrid range and its two-in-one Eolis HC, can actually keep them cool, as well as still performing their traditional warmth-maintaining duties in the winter.

All Actis products have been specifically designed to help buildings stay cool, as well as warm, with the reflective films from which Eolis HC is created reflecting 95% of infrared radiation.

Mark added:

“Architects are obliged to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings under Part O of the building regulations. As well as strategically siting windows in new builds and drawing curtains, installing reflective insulation can help protect the health and comfort of the occupants.”

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The Diamanti Bridge: 3D Prototype

Courtesy of Massive Form

 

Presented as part of the Time, Space, Existence exhibition organized by the European Cultural Centre (ECC) in Venice, the Diamanti bridge is the result of a multi-institutional collaboration led by Professor Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh, his team at the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory (University of Pennsylvania), and Sika Group Switzerland, led by Karolina Pajak.

The small-scale prototype of the structure was fabricated by the Dutch firm Vertico, while the 10-meter version was 3D printed by Carsey3D in France. The bridge is composed of nine prefabricated concrete segments, 3D printed using a robotic arm and a two-component cementitious mix developed by Swiss construction chemicals company Sika. The geometry of each segment includes voids and surface articulation that support structural performance and enhance sustainability metrics by lowering embodied carbon. These segments are held together by eight ungrouted steel cables, forming a post-tensioned system that is functional and reversible. No adhesives or grout are used in the connections, making the bridge entirely demountable and recyclable.

The project explores the future of construction through computational geometry, modularity, and additive manufacturing. Engineered around funicular logic and fabricated using robotic 3D concrete printing, the 2.5-meter-long bridge model offers a glimpse into how architectural spans can evolve toward material efficiency and demountable systems.

3D-printed Concrete Construction Uses Polyhedral Forms

Drawing on the design method of Polyhedral Graphic Statics (PGS), the Diamanti project channels compressive and tensile forces through a polyhedral form optimized for performance with minimal material. The geometry of the structure is shaped by force flow and fabrication constraints and integrates anticlastic diamond surfaces that stiffen the segments, distribute loads, and reduce concrete usage without sacrificing integrity.

While the version on display at the seventh edition of ECC’s Time Space Existence in Venice spans 2.5 meters with a slim 26 cm depth, the design led by Professor Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh has been successfully tested at a full 9-meter span, underlining its scalability. The underlying concept proposes a rethink of how construction systems can reduce reliance on massive reinforcement, cut material waste, and favor ease of disassembly. The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory team integrates computational design with innovative material systems.

Cross-disciplinary collaboration shapes low-carbon prototype

The Diamanti bridge reflects a systems-based approach that links academic research with industrial application. Each phase of the project was carried out through a network of collaborators. Sika Group developed a customized cementitious mix tailored for robotic extrusion. Carsey 3D printed the parts and managed the logistics of fabrication and assembly, while post-tensioning expertise was provided by AEVIA. Structural modeling and analysis were conducted independently by researchers at City College of New York and Villanova University, and physical load testing took place at the CERIB institute in France.

Diamanti should be understood as a working prototype, a testbed for modular construction methods that focus on material efficiency, reversibility, and low-carbon performance. Its design is driven by a logic of force distribution, demonstrating how structural performance, ease of assembly, and future disassembly can be integrated within a single prefabricated system.

 

Source: Designboom

 

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Best In Class Accommodation for Leeds City Centre

 

WORKS COMMENCE FOR 80,000 SQ FT GATEWAY OFFICE REDEVELOPMENT  IN LEEDS CITY CENTRE

Prescient Capital has announced the start of construction for the redevelopment of Wellington Plaza, a significant office building in the heart of Leeds’s premier business district.

Cleggs Construction has been appointed as main contractor to deliver the redevelopment which will see demolition of the existing 1980’s built, four-storey building to make way for a new state-of-the-art, eight-storey development comprising 80,000 sq ft of Grade A accommodation.

Joint venture partners, Prescient Capital and Asset Capital secured planning consent for the redevelopment in 2024 with Prescient subsequently acquiring 100 per cent shareholding in the project.

Rebranded as 31 Wellington Street, the new development will reflect the status of its prominent position on the corner of Wellington Street, directly opposite Wellington Place, and just a few minutes’ walk from Leeds train station.

The development will deliver best in class accommodation, meeting the highest ESG standards including; EPC A, BREEAM Outstanding, Fitwell 3 Star, NABERS 5 star, & Wired score platinum.

The internal space is designed to support the post-pandemic hybrid way of working with total flexibility for occupiers fit out.  The new building will boast an impressive entrance lobby and reception area along with co-working space and floor plates will be available between 3,000 & 9,500 sq ft.  The top floor will feature a sky lounge for client entertaining and social events, with further amenities including a fitness suite, luxury changing facilities/showers and secure cycle storage.

Doug Friend, CEO of Prescient Capital, said,

“We’re delighted to now get this project underway. Leeds currently has a significant shortfall of prime workspace and this elevated ESG credential property is perfectly located and designed to assist in relieving some of that pressure.

“This also marks a return to the commercial office sector for me and Rob Randall, Prescient Chairman, having previously funded and managed over two million sq ft of Grade A office space across the UK.”

The design of 31 Wellington Street has been led by DLA architects, an award-winning practice which has created some of Leeds’s most prominent Grade A office spaces. DLA is supported by a team of experts including Roscoe (civil/structural engineers), Thornley & Lumb (service engineers), BB7 (Fire engineering), Hydrock (BREEAM & Fitwell), Ridge (NABERS) & AH connections (wired score).

Prescient Capital has appointed Knight Frank, Fox Lloyd Jones and Cushman & Wakefield to market the scheme.

Nick Salkeld, Partner at Fox Lloyd Jones, said,

“Fox Lloyd Jones is proud to be a part of the team bringing forward this exemplar development designed to the highest standards and current day ESG benchmarks. It is a truly unique landmark scheme for the Leeds office market offering boutique, high-end workspace in a prime West End location.”

Adam Cockroft, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield, said,

“We’re beyond excited to be representing Prescient Capital in the delivery of this game changing office building in the heart of Leeds’s core business district. 31 Wellington Street will offer levels of sustainability, quality and intelligent systems management that, to date, has only been talked about. This is a building that occupiers and their staff will be proud to work in, offering class leading facilities to attract and retain the highest calibre of staff.”

Eamon Fox, head of the Leeds office at Knight Frank, added

“It is brilliant to see Prescient Capital take an approach where the need to be thinking about tomorrow is non-negotiable. 31 Wellington Street is an office building which acknowledges the redefining role of real estate, where office solutions have to be recast.

“Offices are no longer the backdrop to business. Instead, they are a dynamo for your business. That means the role of 31 Wellington Street is a transformation enabler, and we are a strategic business partner for firms in Leeds, or those looking to put down an anchor here. I am beyond excited to see Prescient Capital highlight the next era of office development, leading those who act with intent, build with agility and lead with conviction.”

Site preparation works have commenced with the demolition due to start from this September and project completion anticipated by July 2027.

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Net Zero Carbon School Refurbishment

Morgan Sindall Construction and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council are celebrating significant progress in the delivery of the pioneering Net Zero Carbon refurbishment of Pen-y-Dre High School, with final handover scheduled for 2026.

The project represents one of Wales’ most ambitious school refurbishment programmes, transforming the 1970s building into a state-of-the-art educational facility whilst maintaining its operational status throughout the three-year construction programme.

The comprehensive refurbishment has included new roofing, cladding, windows and external doors, mechanical and electrical works, internal alterations, internal finishes, fixed furniture and fittings, and extensive external works across the 11,250m² site. The project has been delivered through six phased stages to ensure minimal disruption to the pupils and staff who have remained on site throughout construction.

A key highlight of the transformation is the installation of a substantial photovoltaic array, which will not only support the school’s Net Zero Carbon status but also provide surplus energy to the neighbouring Prince Charles Hospital and Goetre project via direct wire connection. The innovative approach has already delivered 619 tonnes of carbon savings through operational efficiencies.

The decision to refurbish rather than rebuild was driven by environmental considerations, with the refurbishment approach delivering four times less carbon impact than a new build whilst preserving valued facilities including the school’s swimming pool, two dining halls, and two sports halls.

The project team, comprising Lawray Architects, Cambria (civil and structural), WSP and High Admit (MEP services), and Mark Morant Sustainable Design (Net Zero Carbon consultant), successfully addressed complex site challenges including asbestos, structural issues, and contamination whilst improving circulation and widening corridors throughout the building.

The refurbishment has surpassed key performance targets for social value across multiple indicators. Highlights include 3,389 New Entrant Training opportunities – ranging from graduate roles to work placements and pupil engagement – alongside the creation of 42 new entrant jobs. Additionally, 95% of the labour force has been sourced from within the region.

Robert Williams, Area Director from Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said:

“This key milestone at Pen-y-Dre High School marks the culmination of an extraordinary three-year journey. This has been a truly pioneering project – the scale and complexity of delivering such a comprehensive transformation within a live school environment cannot be overstated, and our teams have responded with exceptional skill and dedication throughout.

“What makes this project especially significant is the legacy it leaves behind – not only are we creating a world-class educational facility for future generations, but we’re also setting a powerful example of how sustainable refurbishment can dramatically reduce carbon impact, preserve valued community assets, and deliver meaningful benefits for the local economy.”

Sophie Jenkins, Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme Manager at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, said:

“Some people who would tell you that a refurbishment project could never be as good as a new build project. After working with Morgan Sindall I’m not one of those people.

“I’ve been astounded at the quality of the final works their team have been able to produce. Working together has felt a genuine collaboration too.

“The teaching and learning environment is exactly what is needed to deliver the new curriculum for Wales and facilitate new community activities.”

Source: Business News Wales

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Ecological Building Systems announce exclusive partnership

EcoCocon and Ecological Building Systems announce exclusive partnership to expand straw panel construction in the UK & Ireland

In a significant move for sustainable construction, EcoCocon, a leading European manufacturer of prefabricated straw wall panels, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Ecological Building Systems, a well-established distributor of sustainable building materials in the UK and Ireland.

The partnership will make EcoCocon’s innovative straw-based wall system more accessible to professionals across the UK and Irish construction markets — combining bio-based innovation with localised technical expertise.

EcoCocon’s modular wall panels are made primarily from compressed straw and timber, offering Passive House-level thermal performance while significantly reducing embodied carbon. The system is robotically manufactured in Europe to ensure precision, consistency and scalability — making it a viable solution for both single-family homes and large-scale developments.

With the addition of EcoCocon to its portfolio, Ecological Building Systems will provide full distribution and technical support, including design consultation, detailing, training, and on-site assistance.

 

 

“We’re proud to partner with EcoCocon to bring this next-generation ecological wall system to our region,” said Penny Randell, UK Director and General Manager at Ecological Building Systems. “It aligns perfectly with our mission of supporting healthy, low-impact buildings through science-led guidance and proven building solutions.”

Adrian Crosson, Irish Director & General Manager at Ecological Building Systems, stated:

“From the beginning, Ecological has focused on low embodied carbon solutions that are durable, purpose-fit for the UK and Ireland, and supported by expert technical guidance from design through to construction. By combining EcoCocon straw wall panel systems with our trusted technical support, we’re making sustainable building more accessible and achievable than ever before.”

 

EcoCocon has been used in hundreds of projects across Europe, from schools and apartment buildings to custom homes and co-housing developments. The system is fully certified, supports circular construction, and is designed for fast on-site assembly, reducing build time and waste.

 

“This partnership marks a key step toward scaling up ecological construction,” adds Paul Lynch, International Sales & Network Manager at EcoCocon. “Our aim is to make sustainable, low-carbon buildings not only possible, but practical. With Ecological Building Systems, we have the right partner to support that journey in the UK and Ireland.”

The two companies emphasise that this collaboration is about more than materials — it’s about enabling the construction sector to meet the growing demand for climate-conscious, human-centric buildings.

For more information, click on the logo’s below to visit

 

 

 

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The lateral performance of modular buildings

 

The global demand for multi-storey steel-framed modular buildings is rapidly increasing, driving the development of post-tensioned inter-module connections that enhance factory prefabrication and minimize site work for rapid construction. However, the lateral performance of modular buildings with these connections has been inadequately assessed due to the lack of 2D models capable of simulating key failure modes, such as gap-opening and slip. This study proposes a simplified 2D finite element (FE) connection model to simulate these failure modes and evaluates the lateral performance of mid-rise modular buildings using an innovative bolt-free post-tensioned inter-module connection, termed the ‘AJ connection.’ Designed for easy assembly and disassembly, it facilitates fast construction and reusability. First, the developed 2D model is validated against a 3D connection model calibrated to experimental results, then applied to mid-rise moment-resisting frames (MRFs) composed of modules to assess their performance under design wind and seismic loads. Compared to MRFs featuring welded connections, MRFs with AJ connections demonstrate nearly equivalent performance under wind loads, but slightly inferior performance under earthquake loads. Nevertheless, they demonstrate excellent seismic performance by exhibiting strong-column-weak-beam behaviour, satisfying most FEMA 365 performance objectives. Moreover, using identical cross-sections for floor and ceiling beams improves the lateral stiffness, strength, and ductility, while reducing the required preload for the AJ connections, compared to using beams of different sizes.

 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL TECHNICAL REPORT

Source: Science Direct

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Green Light to Rail and Road Upgrades

 

  • 5 strategic road schemes and 5 key rail upgrades given government funding – supporting 42,000 jobs, paving the way for 1.5 million new homes as part of the Plan for Change, and rail enhancements will connect 50,000 more people to the rail network
  • backed by over £92 billion from the Spending Review settlement, the government is delivering the biggest boost to England’s transport infrastructure in a generation, and unlocking schemes that deliver for the taxpayer and drive growth
  • wave of projects set to ease congestion, cut journey times and bring greater access to jobs and opportunities, making working people better off

    Millions of commuters and businesses are set to benefit from quicker journeys, as more than 50 road and rail upgrades are given the green light – including the long awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route and Portishead to Bristol city centre rail line, the government has announced today (8 July 2025).

    Working people will also gain better access to jobs and housing through these schemes, helping deliver the Plan for Change to build strong foundations and kick-start economic growth, made possible by the government’s investment unlocked in last month’s Spending Review.

    Five major road schemes in the north and Midlands are confirmed as funded including the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, which will cut journey times and connect thousands to key economic hubs across the Midlands.

    The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester), connecting to developments which could support 20,000 new jobs and 7,000 new homes if planning approval granted, has also been confirmed as funded, alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) which will support 15,400 new homes and A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire, which could support thousands of new jobs and homes, if planning approval is granted.

    The long awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine will also be delivered and will cut journey times across the north, support over 10,000 new homes and connect millions across the region as a key national and international economic route.

    The government is also announcing key rail projects across the country, including reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran over 60 years ago, delivering 3 brand new train stations, bringing thousands more people closer to a railway and funding a Midlands Rail Hub, creating brand new rail links for more than 50 locations.

    Rail investment outside of London and the South East is long overdue, which is why the government is confirming additional funding right across England and Wales, which will improve access to jobs and leisure and stimulate housing growth in the regions.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

Roads and railways are the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer’s money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier.

With over £92 billion investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the north and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.

We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.

Over 42,000 new jobs and 39,000 new homes are estimated to be supported thanks to the funding committed for major road schemes, helping deliver the government’s Plan for Change to boost economic growth, and build 1.5 million more houses over 5 years.

Journey times will be slashed, saving commuters, businesses, and freight thousands of hours every week, and boosting economic growth across the whole country.

These new infrastructure commitments are backed by £92 billion of government funding to invest in more projects across England, including record levels of funding for upgrading our road and rail networks, extending the £3 bus cap, providing £1 billion to enhance the local road network and create a new structures fund.

To support local journeys, the government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes vital to connecting and growing communities. These schemes, which include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes, are not motorways or trunk A-roads, but junctions, bypasses and traffic-easing projects which will improve millions of congested commutes and unlock further housing and jobs.

Of the £92.8 billion, the Chancellor has already announced £10.2 billion for rail enhancements, improving connectivity and unlocking growth in key areas of the UK, which have for too long struggled with unreliable, infrequent services. This also includes £24 billion for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country.

Investments like these are only possible because we took the right decisions to stabilise our public finances and changed the fiscal rules so we can invest in Britain’s renewal, grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.

In addition, the government is investing a further £27 million to reinstate passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol city centre. The new hourly services will connect an additional 50,000 people to the rail network and support a significant new housing development.

Two new stations, Wellington and Cullompton, have been given the green light in the south-west of England, unlocking significant new housing developments and providing more chances for people to access Exeter to visit loved ones and benefit from increased leisure, education and employment opportunities. Similarly, a new station at Haxby will now be delivered, bringing an additional 20,000 people within 3 kilometres of the railway, providing easy access to the regional centres of York and Leeds.

The Midlands is also set to see a huge improvement to its rail services. The new Midlands Rail Hub will be the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme to date.  Significant government funding will mean huge numbers of additional trains and extra seats can be added to the rail network in and out of Birmingham every single day. This will support new homes and create greener growth across the Midlands while providing faster, more frequent and brand new rail links for more than 50 locations and creating almost 13,000 construction jobs.

Investment will also benefit existing rail users. The East Coast Main Line, which runs the length of the country, is already benefiting from an increase to capacity and frequency and will also receive new, upgraded digital signalling, boosting capability and resilience of the line, and reducing delays by one third. This rollout will support new digital skills in the rail sector and the creation of 4,800 new roles across the supply chain.

This continued funding for rail schemes up and down the country will open up access to jobs, grow the economy and drive up quality of life as the Plan for Change is delivered.

Logistics UK Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy Jonathan Walker said:

The schemes announced today are significant upgrades to national infrastructure and when complete will make supply chains more resilient and boost trade by keeping goods moving as efficiently as possible.

80% of UK freight travels on roads at some point on its journey to the end user and congestion increases costs and makes journey planning highly unpredictable.

An efficient national logistics network is critical to enable business to drive growth across the whole economy and ensures that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.

John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, CBI said:

Improving transport connectivity is key to unlocking the productivity gains needed to deliver sustainable growth across the country. When businesses can move people, goods, and services more efficiently, it helps them to reach new markets faster and attract the talent they need to grow. Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward and builds on a strong series of planning reforms aimed at delivering the long-term infrastructure the UK economy needs.

Source: www.gov.uk

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