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Two training courses 'ACTIVATE' a graduate engineer's introduction to the building industry [over 5 weeks] and a’ CONSOLIDATE' a course for middle management in the consulting engineers world [over 3 weeks].
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1. GRC Glass Reinforced Cement
Charles Rickard learnt his GRC expertise originally with Dr David Hannant at Surrey University 1970-1975. On establishing Rickard and Partners in Australia in 1984, GRC quickly became a word synonymous with him. He was technical secretary to the Cement and Concrete Association in the nineties when he wrote the Australian Code of Practice for GRC. In 1987 he ran a GRC Plant in Texas USA building facade panels for a variety of jobs such as San Antonio Marriott Hotel.
Charles became known as ‘Mr. Big’. The Big Ram, Goulburn NSW in 1985 was followed by the Prawn in Ballina (87) and Oyster in Taree (also 87). In the 90’s he designed the entire 37m high Merlion structure for Sentosa Island, Singapore .He also did a full size dry land replica of Sir Stamford Raffles’s ship for Pulau Ubin Outward Bound School. In 1998-99 the Body Zone for the London Millennium Dome followed.
The technology used has evolved enormously since the Big Ram in 1985. These days, computer surveying allows accuracy to within 10mm for any given model. We are able to create a 3D model of a small scale sculptured object and then recreate to an enlarged scale.
GRC has a wide range of uses. Charles has played a role in all of them. Here in Sydney, Mascot Engineering build a range of drainage chambers based on his original 1980 analysis. In the late 80’s he designed GRC sandwich panels for James Hardy for the sound barriers on the Warringah Freeway, as it approaches the Harbour Bridge .For 140 Sussex St,Sydney the GRC panels encapsulated marble facing, a skill he learnt while working in the States. In 2003 he designed a free standing covered walkway, entirely built in GRC, for the Queens University in Doha, Qatar. The steel frame technology developed originally by Lafayette in Chicago, USA has been used by Charles on a number of projects both in Australia but also in the Middle East. A notable example is the Rialto Tower forecourt in Melbourne.
Many contractors prefer to avoid the cost of structural steel and design their panels with GRC Rib Stiffeners. Charles pioneered the use of incorporating continuous glass filament to improve strength for projects such as Royal Prince Alfred Medical Center in Sydney and also Science Technology Park in Doha, Qatar.
Charles is a consultant Independent of any GRC manufacturing organization. He offers a full design service anywhere in the world. He enjoys Australian and British chartered Status which facilitates that service. A very recent appointment is working with Australian consultant Aurecon on the new Zayed University in Abu Dhabi with manufacturer Fibrex.
2. FRP Fibre Reinforced Plastics
Fiber Reinforced Plastic has the strength of steel but the stiffness of timber. For many years, the disadvantage of the product was its lack of fire rating. However in the 90’s, Charles helped NSW manufacturer Goninans in Newcastle build a zero rated fiberglass seat for the Tangara train. He also designed the injection moulds. Other commissions have included the design of seats for a grandstand at Randwick Race Course, the canopy to the lookout tower in Newcastle and agitation tanks for the manufacture of gelatine for Davis Gelatine,part of Goodman Fielder..
3. Project Cost Analysis / Value Engineering.
Different Engineers have different skills in different fields. They are all products of their environment. An engineer brought up in a large company where work flow is easy will rarely design as economically as an engineer surviving on ‘design and construct’ in a small practice. Charles built a practice from 1984 to 2005. At one stage he had offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Singapore with up to 40 staff. To survive, he had to be competitive in his fee but also the economy of his output. It is surprising how often engineering solutions are considerably over designed. If you want a confidential audit done on a particular design, contact Charles. He will provide a markup of drawings which can be given to the original designer for discussion for them to include in their work. There is no need for conflict if handled correctly.
4.Cracking to Buildings.
The building industry suffers from too much specialization .Solutions to problems in old buildings requires pragmatism.Pragmatism requires understanding of different aspects of engineering .Charles has that understanding in significant measure.None has it all
Charles has successfully used watering systems on clay sites to reduce/eliminate cracking to buildings on clay sites without expensive disruptive underpinning. Charles is on a continuing engagement with NSW Department of Commerce resolving issues in the State Schools.Too many engineers in Australia condemn structural situations which,if transferred to Europe would eliminate many valuable buildings of rich heritage.
5. Design Schemes
The computer seems to be eliminating the ability of engineers to draw. As a consequence the art of preparing quick schemes to give to clients and quantity surveyors for costing without lots of analysis is being lost. As a result money is wasted. No scheme has any value is the client cannot afford it.
Inevitably engineers design within their comfort zone and solutions prepared reflect this. Charles has worked in the UK, Holland, Italy, Middle East, Australia, USA, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Polynesia. His work has covered all manner of material and style of building. If you require an alternative scheme to be prepared for a particular project, contact him.
6. Facade Engineering
Having worked broadly in Civil and Structural Engineering, Charles also possesses skills in the field of facades. Besides GRC, he has an enviable width of experience. Examples are: a cable stayed glass façade for Victoria Station in London, a glass wall and roof envelope for the State Library of South Australia, pre-cast concrete panels for a new tax office in Penrith, Bow tresses for structural glazing for NSW University and also for Quay Grand, Circular Quay. In more recent times he has been assisting Townsend Group with the design of sheet steel and aluminum facades.
7. Structural Engineering
His first job was with Taylor Woodrow in the UK in 1975. He was foreman on the construction of a roll on roll off jetty in Douglas, Isle of Man. He first had to design the formwork and falsework, and then build it himself. He followed that with being on the design team for the Dubai Dry Dock. He then joined Alan Baxter Consultancy for 18 months, renovating old property in London as well as working on an award winning block of new units at Millbank. Joining White Young, this introduced him to overseas work as well as working on a billion Dollar (09 Price) shopping center in Basildon UK. In 1984 he arrived in Australia and spent the next 22 years building an impressive practice designing everything from swimming pools to shopping centers.is biggest Aussie job was the Pacific Square development at Maroubra, NSW WORTH $250m. These days, as a sole practitioner, his skills are in high demand.
8. Civil Engineering
It is unusual to find a mix of strong civil and structural experience in the one person. This comes from having run his own consultancy and being a director of a Construction Management Company. Highlight of his experience have been the design and construction of new container parks in Sydney and Brisbane, runway pavement alterations at Sydney Airport, the design of Dubai Dry Dock and the design of a new coal loader facility at Kurragong, Newcastle.
9. Diagnostic Engineering
Building Consultants often do not have an Engineering background. Charles originally learnt his skills on the terraced Houses of London. Since 1984, he built his Australian Company to be the strongest Diagnostic consultancy in Sydney in Strata Work, a reputation which RHM Consultants successfully continue today. Charles restricts himself these days to a select group of clients including the Office of Fair Trading and the Department of Commerce. His geotechnical skill compliments his experience in masonry and interest in bullding movement.
10. Swimming Pools
Charles has probably only one other rival as the most experienced designer of swimming pools in Australia. If one considers fiberglass pools, he has no peer. He has acted for Crystal Pools (concrete) for 25 years, designing all manner of domestic pools and also aquatic centers. He has also acted for Compass Pools (fiberglass) for the same period of time. In 1987 he was Technical Secretary to Standards for the major overhaul of the fiberglass pool codes AS1838 and AS1839. In 1993 he won an Australian design award for the Compass Maxi Pool. The pool was the first totally free standing fiberglass pool in the world and has proved to be a significant step forward for the technology.
11. Graduate and Associate Engineer Training
Charles has designed a 5 week Training Program for Graduate Engineers called “ACTIVATE”.The course covers all the things you don’t learn at University. He has designed a more advanced course for engineers looking to gain Associate Status in a consulting business entitled”CONSOLIDATE”
12. Dispute Resolution/Mediation
His engineering and contracting (see CV) experience allow him to provide a valuable service assisting resolution in building matters. He has done this for many years for the Office of Fair Trading and SPASA.
Contact Charles, I’m sure you wont be disappointed. |
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