Professor Buick Davison

BEng, PhD

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

Professor of Structural Engineering

CIV Buick Davison
Profile picture of CIV Buick Davison
j.davison@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5354

Full contact details

Professor Buick Davison
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Room E105
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

Buildings contribute greatly to resource depletion, energy use and associated harmful emissions. I’m interested in the way in which we construct buildings and how we can do it more sustainably.

Professor Buick Davison


Professor Buick Davison is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He gained his BEng (1st class) degree from the Department and was awarded the Mappin Medal 1980. He completed his PhD with us in 1987.

He joined the academic staff in 1993 after a number of years in practice as a Structural Engineer where he gained first-hand experience in the design and construction of numerous projects including sports stadia, factories and multi-storey buildings.

Buick’s research interests lie in the behaviour of steel-framed structures, in particular the influence of joints connecting steel frames together influence the overall behaviour of the structure.

He also focusses on sustainability issues in structural engineering by investigating the environmental burden of construction practices.

He has authored more than 150 refereed journal and conference papers and held research grants from the EU, EPSRC, Building Research Establishment, Steel Construction Institute and Corus.


Research interests
  • Component based models of the behaviour of steel beam-to column connections in fire
  • Steel connections subject to dynamic loading
  • Use of robots and automation in steel construction
  • Additive manufacturing of steel connections
  • Robustness of steelwork connections in multi-storey buildings at elevated temperatures
  • Deconstruction of framed buildings
Publications

Books

  • Institute SSC (2012) Steel Designers' Manual. Wiley-Blackwell. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB (2003) The Steel Designers' Manual. Blackwell Science. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Britain SCIG (2003) Steel designers' manual. Wiley-Blackwell. RIS download Bibtex download

Edited books

  • Owens G & Davison J (Ed.) (2011) Steel Designers' Manual. Wiley-Blackwell. RIS download Bibtex download

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Javaheriafif M, Davison B & Burgess IW (2017) The influence of slab ductility on the robustness of composite joints in fire, Applications of Fire Engineering (pp. 257-262). CRC Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tingley DD & Davison B (2013) Minimizing the Environmental Impact of Steel Structures, Design, Fabrication and Economy of Metal Structures (pp. 651-656). Springer Berlin Heidelberg RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu H, Burgess I, Davison B & Plank R (2007) Experimental investigation of the robustness of fin plate connections in fire (pp. 722-727). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB (2004) Chapter 5: Design of composite steel and concrete structures, Guide to the structural Eurocodes for students of structural design RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nethercot DA & Davison JB (2003) Chapter 5: Composite floors, Composite Construction (pp. 121-160). Taylor & Francis RIS download Bibtex download
  • Buick Davison J (2003) Composite Floors, Composite Construction Spon Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Spyrou S & Burgess IW (2000) Experimental and analytical studies of steel T-stubs at elevated temperatures In Virdi KS (Ed.), Abnormal Loading on Structures - Experimental and Numerical Modelling (pp. 306-316). Spon Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB & Nethercot DA (1989) Overview of Connection Behaviour, Structural Connections - Stability and Strength RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Gillott C, Davison JB & Densley Tingley D (2022) The potential of vertical extension at the city scale. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Vol. 1078(1) (pp 012079-012079) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gillott C, Densley Tingley D & Davison JB (2022) The Potential of Vertical Extensions: A Case Study Analysis. CENTRAL EUROPE TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE BUILDING 2022 (CESB22) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Al Zamzami I, Davison JB & Susmel L (2019) Experimental fatigue curves to perform the fatigue assessment of aluminium-to-steel thin welded joints. Procedia Structural Integrity - 25th International Conference on Fracture and Structural Integrity, Vol. 18 (pp 255-261). Catania, Italy, 12 June 2019 - 14 June 2019. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shi R, Huang S-S & Davison J (2018) THE EFFECT OF STEEL JOINTS ON FRAME BEHAVIOUR IN FIRE. Proceedings of International Conference on Engineering Research and Practice for Steel Construction 2018 RIS download Bibtex download
  • He L, Gilbert M, Shepherd P, Ye J, Koronaki A, Fairclough H, Davison J, Tyas A, Gondzio J & Weldeyesus A (2018) A new conceptual design optimization tool for frame structures. Proc. IASS Symposium 2018 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jeanneret C, Smith M & Gales J (2017) Fire safety research towards enabling timber structures in Canada (pp 263-273) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ye J, Shepherd P, He L, Gilbert M, Davison J, Tyas A, Gondzio J, Weldeyesus A & Fairclough H (2017) Computational layout design optimization of frame structures. Proc. IASS Annual Symposium 2017 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Susmel L, Al Zamzami I & Davison JB (2017) Static Strength of aluminium-to-steel thin welded joints: preliminary results. BSSM 12th International Conference on Advances in Experimental Mechanics, 29 August 2017 - 31 August 2017. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Hathway A & Cruise R (2014) Educating Engineers for the Challenges of Low Carbon Design. Sustainable Structures Symposium. Portalnd, Oregon, 17 April 2014 - 18 April 2014. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB & Densley Tingley D (2014) Designing for deconstruction - will it catch on?. Sustainable Structures Symposium. Portland, Oregon, 17 April 2014 - 18 April 2014. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rahbari R, Davison B & Tyas A (2012) Dynamic behaviour of web cleat steel connections. 11th International Conference on Steel Space and Composite Structures (pp 269-278) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang S-S, Davison JB & Burgess IW (2012) Robustness of joints to composite columns in fire. 11th International Conference on Steel, Space and Composite Structures (SS12). Qingdao, China, 12 December 2012 - 14 December 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang SS, Burgess IW & Davison JB (2011) A structural fire engineering prediction for the Veseli fire tests, 2011. Proc. Applications of Structural Fire Engineering (pp 411-416). Prague RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang SS, Davison JB & Burgess IW (2011) Elevated temperature tests on joints to composite columns. 6th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1593-1598). Budapest RIS download Bibtex download
  • Densley Tingley D & Davison JB (2011) Making the case for design for deconstruction. 17th Annual International Sustainable Research Development Conference - Moving Towards a Sustainable Future - Opportunities and Challenges (pp 186-187). New York, USA RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB (2011) Investigating the robustness of steel beam-to-column connections. 10th International Conference on Steel, Space and Composite Structures. East Mediterranean University, North Cyprus RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dong G, Burgess IW & Davison JB (2011) Component-based element for endplate connections in fire. Proceedings of the Applications of Structural Fire Engineering 2011 (pp 195-200). Prague RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang SS, Burgess IW & Davison JB (2011) A structural fire engineering prediction for the Veseli fire tests, 2011. Applications of Structural Fire Engineering (pp 411-416). Prague RIS download Bibtex download
  • Densley Tingley D & Davison B (2010) Changing environmental assessment methods to encourage material reuse. 9th International Detail Design in Architecture Conference (pp 55-66). Preston - November 2010. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Tyas A, Popovic-Larsen O & Carter T (2010) Educating structural engineers and architects together at the University of Sheffield - 10 years on. Structures and Architecture (pp 877-885). Guimaraes, Portugal RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tyas A, Warren JA, Davison JB, Stoddart EP & Hindle A (2010) Dynamic testing of semi-rigid steel beam-column connections. COST C26 International Conference on Urban Habitat Constructions Under Catastrophic Events (pp 145-149). Naples RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huang SS, Davison JB & Burgess IW (2010) The fire safety of joints in composite structures. Fire Safety Engineering in the UK: The State of the Art. Edinburgh RIS download Bibtex download
  • Densley Tingley D & Davison JB (2010) Changing environmental assessment methods to encourage material reuse. 9th International Detail Design in Architecture Conference 2010: Innovative Detailing: Materials & Construction Methods for a Low Carbon Future (pp 55-66). Lancaster RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Burgess IW, Plank RJ, Yu HX & Hu Y (2010) Ductility of simple steel connections in fire. International Colloquium on Stability and Ductility of Steel Structures (pp 441-448). Rio de Janeiro RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Tyas A, Popovic-Larsen O & Carter T (2010) Educating structural engineers and architects together at the University of Sheffield - 10 years on. Structures and Architecture (pp 877-885). Guimaraes, Portugal RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hu Y, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental Study on Flexible End Plate Connections in Fire. 5th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1007-1012). Graz, Austria RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu HX, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental Investigation of the Tying Capacity of Web Cleat Connections in Fire. 5th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1013-1018). Graz, Austria RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu HX, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental investigation of the behaviour of flush endplate connections in fire. Structures in Fire Workshop (pp 150-157). Singapore RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu HX, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental investigation of the tying capacity of web cleat connections in fire. 5th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1013-1018). Graz, Austria RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu HX, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental Investigation of the Behaviour of Flush Endplate Connections in Fire. Structures in Fire Workshop (pp 150-157). Singapore RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hu Y, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental study on flexible end plate connections in fire. 5th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1007-1012). Graz, Austria RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hu Y, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental Study on Flexible End Plate Connections in Fire. 5th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1007-1012). Graz, Austria RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu HX, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental Investigation of the Tying Capacity of Web Cleat Connections in Fire. 5th European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1013-1018). Graz, Austria RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB & Tyas A (2008) Robustness of steel connections. 6th International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures (pp 455-466). Chicago RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hu Y, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Modelling of flexible end plate connections in fire using cohesive elements. Structures in Fire Workshop (pp 127-138). Singapore RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu HX, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2008) Experimental investigation of the Behaviour of Flush Endplate Connections in Fire. Structures in Fire Workshop (pp 150-157). Singapore RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block F, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2007) A component-based approach for modelling the effect of fire on steel joints. Progress in Mechanics of Structures and Materials - Proceedings of the 19th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials, ACMSM19 (pp 451-456) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hu Y, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2007) Comparative study of the behaviour of BS 4190 and BS EN ISO 4014 bolts in fire. 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (ICSC07) (pp 587-592). Manchester RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yu H, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2007) Experimental investigation of the behaviour of fin plate connections in fire. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, ICSCS07 - Steel and Composite Structures (pp 541-547) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sarraj M, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2007) Development of a component model approach to fin-plate connections in fire. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, ICSCS07 - Steel and Composite Structures (pp 549-555) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sarraj M, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2006) Finite element modelling of fin plate steel connections in fire. 4th International Workshop Structures in Fire (pp 315-326). Aveiro, Portugal RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block FM, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2006) A compoent based approach for modelling the effect of fire on joints. 19th Australian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials. Canterbury, New Zealand RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block FM, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2006) The development of a component-based connection element for endplate connections in fire. 4th International Workshop Structures in Fire (pp 345-356). Aveiro, Portugal RIS download Bibtex download
  • Liu R, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) Is catenary action sufficient to resist progressive collapse in a steel framed building. 4th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (pp 155-162). Maastricht RIS download Bibtex download
  • Munoz-Garcia E, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) Analysis of the response of structural bolts subjected to rapid rates of loading. 4th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (pp 147-154). Maastricht RIS download Bibtex download
  • Liu R, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) A study of progressive collapse in multi-storey steel frames. ASCE Structures Congress Metropolis and Beyond. New York RIS download Bibtex download
  • Munoz-Garcia E, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) Structural Integrity of Steel Connections Subjected to Rapid Rates of Loading. ASCE Structures Congress Metropolis and Beyond. New York RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block FM, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2005) High-temperature experiments on joint component behaviour. 4th International Conference on Advances in Steel Structures (pp 1041-1046). Shanghai RIS download Bibtex download
  • Liu R, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) Is catenary action sufficient to resist progressive collapse in a steel framed building. 4th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (pp 155-162). Maastricht RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block FM, Burgess IW, Davison JB & Plank RJ (2005) High temperature experiments on joint components "C the behaviour of the compression zone in the column web. 4th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures (pp 9-17). Maastricht RIS download Bibtex download
  • Munoz-Garcia E, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) Structural integrity of steel connections subjected to rapid rates of loading. ASCE Structures Congress Metropolis and Beyond. New York RIS download Bibtex download
  • Liu R, Davison JB & Tyas A (2005) A study of progressive collapse in multi-storey steel frames. ASCE Structures Congress Metropolis and Beyond. New York RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block F, Burgess I, Davison B & Plank R (2004) A Component Approach to Modelling Steelwork Connections in Fire: Behaviour of Column Webs in Compression. Structures 2004 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sakantamis K, Davison JB & Popovic Larsen O (2004) Rapid construction of small passenger interchanges: Ideas for a transportable travel environment. Transportable Environments III 3rd International Conference on Portable Architecture and Design (pp 70-77). Toronto, Canada RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block FM, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2004) A component approach to modelling steelwork connections in fire: Behaviour of column webs in compression. ASCE Structures Congress. Nashville RIS download Bibtex download
  • Block FM, Burgess IW & Davison JB (2004) Numerical and analytical studies of joint component behaviour in fire. 3rd International Workshop on Structures in Fire (pp 383-396). Ottawa RIS download Bibtex download
  • Spyrou S, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2002) Component-based studies on the behaviour of steel joints at elevated temperatures. 3rd European Conference on Steel Structures (pp 1469-1478). Coimbra, Portugal RIS download Bibtex download
  • Spyrou S, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2002) Component studies for steelwork connections in fire. 5th International Conference on Stability and Ductility of Steel Structures (pp 769-776). Budapest, Hungary RIS download Bibtex download
  • Spyrou S, Davison JB, Burgess IW & Plank RJ (2002) Experimental and analytical studies of steel joints at elevated temperatures. 2nd international Workshop on Structures in Fire (pp 21-33). Christchurch, New Zealand RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abd Rahman AB, Kirby PA & Davison JB (2001) Behaviour of beam-columns with semi-rigid connections and its implication to the design concept. Speciality Conference on The Conceptual Approach to Structural Design. Singapore RIS download Bibtex download
  • Popovic O, Tyas A & Davison JB (2000) Bridge between structural engineering and architecture: An interdisciplinary approach. Structural Morphology Conference. Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Kirby PA & Waters S (1999) Steel frames using hollow columns and open section beams. Eurosteel 99, Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Steel Structures (pp 191-194). Praha, Czech Republic RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tyas A, Popovic O & Davison JB (1999) A new degree programme in structural engineering and architecture, architecture and engineering - the teaching of architecture for multidisciplinary practice. Proceedings of 17th European Association for Architectural Education Conference (pp 349-356). Plymouth RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kuhlmann U, Davison JB & Kattner M (1998) Structural systems and rotation capacity. COST C1 International Conference, Control of Semi-Rigid Behaviour of Civil Engineering Structural Connections. Belgium RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB & Popovic O (1998) A new degree programme in structural engineering and architecture. International Conference on Engineering Education. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil RIS download Bibtex download
  • Popovic O, Davison JB & Tyas A (1998) Educating students to engineer a new architecture. International Conference on Engineering a New Architecture. Aarhus, Denmark RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dissanayake UI, Davison JB & Burgess IW (1998) Limit state behaviour of composite frames. 2nd World Conference on Steel Construction. Spain RIS download Bibtex download
  • France JE, Davison JB & Kirby PA (1996) Experimental testing of flowdrill connectors with concrete filled HS columns. 7th International Symposium on Tubular Structures. Budapest, Hungary RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kirby PA & Davison JB (1996) Full scale testing for semi rigid response in steel frames. Joint I Struct E/City University International Seminar on Structural Assessment: The Role of Large and Full Scale Testing. London RIS download Bibtex download
  • France JE, Kirby PA & Davison JB (1996) Testing of simple flowdrill connections. IABSE Conference on Semi Rigid Structural Connections. Istanbul, Turkey RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kirby PA & Davison JB (1996) Joint representation in semi rigidly jointed non-sway steel frames. Structural Stability Research Council, 5th International Colloquium (pp 109-120). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil RIS download Bibtex download
  • Carr JF, Davison JB & Kirby PA (1995) A simplified approach to the design of columns in simple construction. Stability of Steel Structures Conference (pp 57-65). Budapest, Hungary RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kirby PA, Davison JB & Mohammed S (1995) The design of columns in simple construction under variable loading. Stability of Steel Structures Conference (pp 65-72). Budapest, Hungary RIS download Bibtex download
  • Dissanayake UI, Burgess IW & Davison JB (1995) Development of a computer program for the analysis of composite frames with partial interaction. 4th Pacific Structural Steel Conference. Singapore RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lau SM, Davison JB & Kirby PA (1995) Behaviour of partially restrained members in non-sway frames: Comparison of experimental and analytical results. Proceedings of 5th East Asia-Pacific Conference of Structural Engineering and Construction (pp 1947-1952). Gold Coast, Queens land, Australia RIS download Bibtex download
  • France JE, Davison JB & Kirby PA (1995) Behaviour of flowdrilled connections in multi-storey frames with tubular columns. Nordic Steel Construction Conference (pp 773-780). Malmo, Sweden RIS download Bibtex download
  • France JE, Davison JB & Kirby PA (1994) An economic comparison of the use of open and closed section columns in low rise multi-storey buildings. 6th International Symposium on Tubular Structures (pp 133-142). Melbourne RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lam D, Davison JB & Nethercot DA (1989) The influence of composite flooring on the structural performance of steel beam to column connections. IABSE Symposium on Connections in Structural Steelwork (pp 90-95). Moscow RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kirby PA, Zandonini R & Davison JB (1988) Experimental determination of moment rotation response to semi-rigid beam to column joints. Structural Stability Research Council Annual Technical Session. Minneapolis RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB, Zandonini R, Nethercot DA & Poggi C (1988) Analytical and experimental studies of semi-rigid connected braced steel frames. Structural Stability Research Council Annual Technical Session. Minneapolis RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nethercot DA, Kirby PA & Davison JB (1988) Structural performance of steel frames with semi-rigid connections. Challenges to Structural Engineering, 12th IABSE Congress. Helsinki RIS download Bibtex download
  • Davison JB & Kirby PA (1987) Semi-rigid connections in isolation and in frames. State of the Art Workshop on Connections, Strength and Design of Steel Structures. Cachan, France RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kirby PA, Davison JB & Nethercot DA (1987) Large scale tests on column subassemblages and frames. State of the Art Workshop on Connections, Strength and Design of Steel Structures. Cachan, France RIS download Bibtex download
  • Javaheriafif M, Davison B & Burgess I () DEVELOPMENNT OF A COMPOSITE SLAB BREAK-ELEMENT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE FRAMES IN FIRE. Applications of Structural Fire Engineering RIS download Bibtex download
Research group

Resources, Infrastructure Systems and built Environments Discipline

Steel & Composite Structures

Grants

View all research projects

Professional activities and memberships

Professor Davison’s is co-editor of the Steel Designers’ Manual (6th and 7th editions). He was a member of the Institution of Structural Engineers steering group for the EC3-based steel design handbook and has contributed to a number of steel design teaching initiatives.

His keen interest in the design of contemporary buildings led to the development of the dual accredited Structural Engineering and Architecture programme.

He worked with Professor Bernard Johnston (a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor) to introduce a new Architectural Engineering Design programme which, recognising the impact of buildings on the environment, has key themes of the development of the skills required to implement integrated, environmentally sensitive designs and the use of leading-edge building simulation techniques.

The ethos of the course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of fundamental principles, an appreciation and some experience of practical application and the inspiration to improve, to innovate and to be creative.

He is a Director of the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, one of only four in the UK.

Buick is also Deputy Head of the Department and Director of Learning and Teaching (Strategy).

PhD opportunities

Timber-steel Hybrid Construction For Modern Multi-storey Building

This project will investigate practical methods of creating a suitable shear connection at the interface of the slab and beam.


Reversible Shear Connectors For Use In Composite Construction

This project will develop new connection techniques to facilitate quick and cost-effective demountable composite steel-framed buildings.


If you're interested in one of these projects, or would like to self-propose a project, please contact Buick at the above email. Current PhD opportunities in the department can be viewed here.