What is Research

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What is Research?

• Professor Michael J Griffin
• Professor William Powrie

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What is Research?

• Research involves studying something and trying
  to discover facts about it.
• Research may involve discovering something that
  someone already knows.
• The first step may be to find out whether it is
  already known.

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Consultancy and research
research
research
Desired knowledge
New understanding
consultancy
INDUSTRY Current knowledge
ACADEMIA Current understanding
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Consultancy and research
Desired knowledge
New understanding
ACADEMIA Current understanding
INDUSTRY Current knowledge
research
consultancy
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Other University benefits from collaboration
Desired knowledge
New understanding
INDUSTRY Current knowledge
ACADEMIA Current understanding
experience knowledge facilities problems questions
.
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Timescales
2020 knowledge
New understanding
2015 knowledge
New understanding
2010 knowledge
2009 knowledge
New understanding
2008 knowledge
INDUSTRY 2007 knowledge
ACADEMIA 2007 understanding
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University research and consultancy
Measure the ride in a vehicle
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University research and consultancy
How do I measure the ride in a vehicle?
Measure the ride in a vehicle
Consultancy
Research
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University research and consultancy
Is there a better way of predicting vehicle ride?
How do I measure the ride in a vehicle?
Measure the ride in a vehicle
Consultancy
Research
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Contacts and communication
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Scientific method

• Science seeks to increase understanding
• Understanding is represented in models
• A model allows predictions hypotheses
• Hypotheses are tested in experiments
• If the results support the hypothesis, confidence
  in the model is increased
• Otherwise the model is adjusted to account for
  the new findings
• This yields ever better models better
  understanding.

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Scientific method

• The process of testing a hypothesis may also give
  useful measurements ...
• but measurements with no model do not advance
  understanding.
• Research is about developing better understanding
  (i.e. better models).

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What is Research

• Industry sometimes needs information (e.g.
  measurements) needed to test hypotheses.
• Industry and universities may benefit in
  different ways from the same study.
• We may have
• different motivations,
• different timescales, and
• different definitions of research
• but we think we need each other.

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• Professor William Powrie

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Frascati definition of research

• Research and experimental development (RD)
  comprise
• creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in
  order to increase the stock of knowledge,
  including knowledge of man, culture and society,
  and
• the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new
  applications.

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Frascati definition of research (2)

• RD covers three activities
• Basic research is experimental or theoretical
  work undertaken primarily to acquire new
  knowledge of the underlying foundation of
  phenomena and observable facts, without any
  particular application or use in view.
• Applied research is also original investigation
  undertaken to acquire new knowledge. It is,
  however, directed primarily towards a specific
  practical aim or objective.
• Experimental development is systematic work,
  drawing on existing knowledge gained from
  research and/or practical experience, that is
  directed to producing new materials, products or
  devices, to installing new processes, systems and
  services, or to improving substantially those
  already produced or installed.

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Requirements for a PhD

• Discovery of new knowledge (facts), and/or
• Exercise of powers of critical appraisal
• (i.e. you can do research through the
  re-interpretation of existing knowledge)

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New Knowledge

• New to my client
• New to me
• New to the planet

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Research g Consultancy

• Fundamental, blue skies research with no
  immediate application
• Generation of new knowledge to solve a generic
  class of problem
• Advice on specific projects in ways that give
  rise to new science
• Application of known science to a specific
  problem (consultancy)

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And you have to ask the right question

• The right questions are
• Not too broad
• Amenable to scientific investigation

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Example Monitoring prop loads at JLE Extension
stations at Canary Wharf and Canada Water

• Uncertainty about real loads in temporary
  propping systems
• Research-quality monitoring led to
• Full understanding of factors governing the loads
• Knowledge of how these can be taken into account
  in design
• EPSRC grant supported by the contractor Prop
  loads in large braced excavations
• 103k from EPSRC plus contributions-in-kind from
  industry

Canary Wharf station box
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Example Monitoring prop loads at JLE Extension
stations at Canary Wharf and Canada Water

• Papers
• Use of vibrating wire strain gauges to measure
  loads in tubular steel props supporting deep
  retaining walls. M Batten, W Powrie, R Boorman,
  H-T Yu and Q Leiper. Proceedings of the
  Institution of Civil Engineers (Geotechnical
  Engineering) 137(1), 3-13, January 1999. ISSN
  1353 2618
• Comparison of measured and calculated temporary
  prop loads at Canada Water station. W Powrie M
  Batten. Geotechnique 50(2), 127-140, April 2000.
  ISSN 0016 8505
• Measurement and analysis of temporary prop loads
  at Canary Wharf underground station, east London.
  M Batten W Powrie. Proceedings of the
  Institution of Civil Engineers (Geotechnical
  Engineering) 143(3), 151-163, July 2000. ISSN
  1353 2618. Awarded the Institution of Civil
  Engineers Telford Medal 2001

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Example Monitoring prop loads at JLE Extension
stations at Canary Wharf and Canada Water

• Results incorporated into CIRIA Report C517,
  Temporary propping of deep excavations guidance
  on design. D Twine and H Roscoe. (1999)

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• Thank you for listening
• Any questions?