Dr Matthew Gilbert

Reader

Address:
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street, Sheffield, S1 3JD

Telephone: +44 (0) 114 222 5418
Fax: +44 (0) 114 222 5700
Email: m.gilbert@sheffield.ac.uk

Qualifications

BEng (Sheffield) PhD (Manchester) CEng MICE MASCE

Profile

Matthew Gilbert graduated with a first class honours degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Sheffield in 1989. Following a brief period spent with civil engineering contractor Henry Boot he returned to academia, studying the behaviour of masonry arch bridges (awarded PhD by the University of Manchester, 1993). He then joined the University of Sheffield where he is currently a Reader.

From 2004-2009 he held an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship, focusing on the development of novel computational limit analysis and design optimization techniques for application to a wide range of problems. He also has a continuing interest in the static and dynamic performance of masonry structures, particularly masonry arch bridges.

He co-founded the University spin-out company LimitState Ltd, and is currently its Managing Director. The company specialises in the development of novel ultimate limit state analysis and design software applications which make use of novel methods developed in the University (e.g. the Discontinuity Layout Optimization limit analysis procedure is incorporated in the LimitState:GEO geotechnical software application).

He is a chartered civil engineer and organisations sponsoring his research have included EPSRC, Network Rail, Buro Happold and the International Union of Railways (UIC).

Activities and Distinctions

• Holder of EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship (2004-2009), allowing new methods to be developed in the field of computational limit analysis and design synthesis.
• Internationally recognized researcher on masonry arch bridges (advisor to UK Bridge Owners Forum; member of UIC and CIRIA advisory committees; invited plenary conference speaker; originator of RING analysis software used in >40 countries).
• Recipient of ICE Baker Medal (2007) and IStructE Husband Award (1999) for published journal papers.
• Member of the College of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
• Member of the editorial advisory panel of the ICE Proceedings Journal: 'Engineering and Computational Mechanics'.
• Referee for 20 journals / learned society proceedings.

Selected Publications

• Tyas A, Pichugin AV and Gilbert M (2011) Optimum structure to carry a uniform load between pinned supports: exact analytical solution. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 467 (2128), April, pp 1101-1120. DOI 10.1098/rspa.2010.0376
• Gilbert M, Smith CC and Pritchard TJ (2010) Masonry arch analysis using discontinuity layout optimisation. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 163 (3), September, pp 155-166. ISSN 1755-0785. DOI 10.1680/eacm.2010.163.3.155
• Le CV, Gilbert M and Askes H (2010) Limit analysis of plates and slabs using a meshless equilibrium formulation. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 83 (13), September, pp 1739-1758. ISSN 0029-5981. DOI 10.1002/nme.2887
• Smith CC and Gilbert M (2007) Application of discontinuity layout optimization to plane plasticity problems. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 463 (2086), October, pp 2461-2484. ISSN 1364-5021. DOI 10.1098/rspa.2006.1788
• Burnett SJ, Gilbert M, Molyneaux TCK, Beattie G and Hobbs B (2007) The performance of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to low-velocity impacts: finite-element analysis. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 34 (8), pp 1433-1450. ISSN 0734-743X. DOI 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2006.08.004
• Gilbert M, Casapulla C and Ahmed HMA (2006) Limit analysis of masonry block structures with non-associative frictional joints using linear programming. Computers and Structures, 84 (13-14), May, pp 873-887. ISSN 0045-7949. DOI 10.1016/j.compstruc.2006.02.005

Grants

• 2011-2014: "Ultimate and permissible limit state behaviour of soil-filled masonry arch bridges" funded by EPSRC with additional support from Network Rail. Investigators: M Gilbert, CC Smith and RF Harrison. Value: £467,999 (Total value of collaborative grant: £1,030,691).
• 2008-2009: "Review of assessment methods for masonry arch highway bridges" funded by County Surveyors Society. Investigators: C Melbourne and M Gilbert. Value: £20,000.
• 2007: "Development of a DLO based prototype slab analysis software application" funded by University of Sheffield (Proof of Concept Fund). Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: £9,899.
• 2007: "Contribution to the development of UIC 778-3R" funded by UIC (International Union of Railways). Investigators: M Gilbert and CC Smith. Value: €7000.
• 2006-2007: "RAIS-Tom Prichard" funded by EPSRC CTA. Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: £31,827.
• 2005-2007: "Modelling settlements and the effects of gross displacements in railway masonry arch bridges using RING" funded by UIC (International Union of Railways). Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: €11,200.
• 2005: "Development of a prototype commercial version of the RING masonry arch bridge analysis software" funded by University of Sheffield (Proof of Concept Fund). Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: £9,227.
• 2004-2007: "Holistic limit analysis and retrofit design synthesis for masonry arch bridges" funded by EPSRC. Investigators: M Gilbert and CC Smith. Value: £63,531.
• 2004-2007: "Development of computer software for the assessment of masonry arches" funded by UIC (International Union of Railways). Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: €43,500.
• 2004-2009: "Application of novel computational limit analysis and design synthesis methods in structural engineering" funded by EPSRC. Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: £225,560.
• 2003-2005: "Design synthesis of frames" funded by Buro Happold Ltd. Investigators: M Gilbert and A Tyas. Value: £13,500.
• 2002-2005: "Soil-structure interaction in masonry arch bridges" funded by Essex County Council. Investigators: M Gilbert and CC Smith. Value: £15,000.
• 2001-2003: "Computational limit analysis of concrete and masonry bridges" funded by Railtrack. Investigator: M Gilbert. Value: £12,000.

Teaching

• Staff Member Responsible (SMR) for Level 1 module "Introduction to Structural Engineering".
• Staff Member Responsible (SMR) for Level 2 module "Structural Analysis 2".
• Staff Member Responsible (SMR) for Level 3 module "Bridge Engineering".