Past research interests

Developed and refined numerous test methods and procedures for mortars and screeds.
Developed range of general purpose and specialist mortars for RMC .
Developed retarded ready to use mortar and retarded floor screeds for RMC.
Developed lightweight perlite based plaster.
Developed range of modified floor screeds including:

Carried out long term research on lime based mortars.
Supervised the research, writing and dissemination of over 90 research notes and reports. Directly authored a further 31.
Designed dry silo mortar plant.

Experience in the field

Whilst employed by RMC was frequently involved in site visits, problem and complaint resolution and where relevant assisting with appropriate legal action or other follow-up events.
During this period developed relevant on-site practical skills.

Jointly developed, with J Figg, a unique test for the characterisation of the plastic properties of floor screeds.
Developed unique test for the characterisation of retarded mortar systems using the determination of the exotherm evolved during set to compare and contrast different materials and conditions.
Developed a special calcium sulfate based floor screed now produced at over 50 plants throughout the UK.
Joint UK patent holder, special delivery vehicle for ready-to-use mortar.

A committed and enthusiastic lecturer and trainer, he has lectured widely in the UK and internationally.

Member of 11 British Standard committees, co-opted to several others.
Chairman, British Standard committee B/519/2, mortar, 1996 to date.
Past president, EMO (European Mortar Industry Association).
Chairman, Mortar Industry Association, 1999 to 2006.
Past president, British Masonry Society, (now the International Masonry Society).
Secretary, British Standard committee B/502/1, aggregates for mortar, 2000 to date.
Member, Inst Struct Eng EC6 handbook drafting group.

Author of several dozen papers, published within the UK and internationally, most the subject of refereeing/peer revue, on mortar, brickwork, screed and concrete.
Substantial experience in both writing and vetting technical literature.

Sands for Building Mortars. Jointly with T. P. Lees. In, Standards for aggregates. Ed. Pike, D. C. Ellis and Horwood, London, 1996.
Mortars. Today and for the new millennium. In, Utilizing ready-mixed concrete and mortar, Dhir et al, Thomas Telford, London 1999.
Flow applied screeds. In, Concrete floors and slabs, Dhir et al, Thomas Telford, London 2002.
Masonry Mortars. In, Advanced Concrete Technology, Newman, J., and Choo, B. Elsevier, London, 2003.
Mortars. In, Manual of Construction Materials, Ed. J Forth, Institution of Civil Engineers, London, 2009.

Member of drafting task group, Manual for the design of plain masonry in building structures to Eurocode 6, The Institution of Structural Engineers, London, 2008.
Member of drafting task group, Eurocode for Masonry EN 1996-1-1 and EN 1996-2, The International Masonry Society, Stoke-on-Trent, 2009.