Professor Matthew Gilbert
PhD
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Professor of Civil Engineering
+44 114 222 5418
Full contact details
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Room F114
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
- Profile
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Computational modelling and optimisation enable us to predict the response of components and structures, and to identify improved designs.
Professor Matthew Gilbert
Matthew holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Sheffield and a PhD from the University of Manchester. After a short period spent working in industry he returned to the University of Sheffield, where he has been a member of academic staff since 1996.
In his research Matthew seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the behaviour of components and structures so they can be used efficiently or manipulated to meet specific needs.
He focuses on the design of new, resource efficient, structures and constructions, taking advantage of optimisation and new manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. Matthew also works to assess the strength and safety of our ageing masonry arch bridges.
He develops guidance sponsored by the UK Department for Transport and other bodies to help them maintain existing infrastructure in order to prolong its life and protect the safety of the public.
From 2004-2009 Matthew held an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship, focusing on the development of novel analysis and design optimisation techniques for application to a wide range of problems.
- Publications
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Books
Journal articles
- Design of optimal truss components for fabrication via multi-axis additive manufacturing. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 418, 116464-116464.
- Experimental investigation on the shear behaviour of the brickwork-backfill interface in masonry arch bridges. Engineering Structures, 292. View this article in WRRO
- A Python script for discontinuity layout optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 66(7). View this article in WRRO
- Application of thrust layout optimization to masonry structures. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 479(2273).
- Engineering design of optimized reinforced concrete floor grillages. Structures, 51, 1292-1304.
- A simple limit analysis procedure for reinforced concrete slabs using rigid finite elements. Structural Engineering and Mechanics, 84(1), 129-141. View this article in WRRO
- Layout optimization of pin-jointed truss structures with minimum frequency constraints. Engineering Optimization.
- Layout optimization of long-span structures subject to self-weight and multiple load-cases. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 65(7). View this article in WRRO
- The stress function basis of the upper bound theorem of plasticity. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 244-245. View this article in WRRO
- Optimization-driven conceptual design of truss structures in a parametric modelling environment. Structures, 37, 469-482. View this article in WRRO
- Layout optimization of structures with distributed self-weight, lumped masses and frictional supports. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 65(2). View this article in WRRO
- An end-to-end framework for the additive manufacture of optimized tubular structures. IEEE Access, 9, 165476-165489. View this article in WRRO
- LayOpt : an educational web-app for truss layout optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 64(4), 2805-2823. View this article in WRRO
- On transmissible load formulations in topology optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 64(1), 23-37. View this article in WRRO
- A simple layout optimization formulation for load-carrying tensegrity structures. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 62(6), 2935-2949. View this article in WRRO
- Truss geometry and topology optimization with global stability constraints. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 62(4), 1721-1737. View this article in WRRO
- Layout optimization of simplified trusses using mixed integer linear programming with runtime generation of constraints. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 61(5), 1977-1999. View this article in WRRO
- Adaptive solution of truss layout optimization problems with global stability constraints. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 60(5), 2093-2111. View this article in WRRO
- View this article in WRRO Optimisation-driven conceptual design : case study of a large transfer truss. The Structural Engineer, 97(10), 20-26.
- Layout optimization of building frames subject to gravity and lateral load cases. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 60(4), 1561-1570. View this article in WRRO
- Conceptual design of AM components using layout and geometry optimization. Computers and Mathematics with Applications, 78(7), 2308-2324. View this article in WRRO
- A Python script for adaptive layout optimization of trusses. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 60(2), 835-847. View this article in WRRO
- Modelling orthogonal and oblique cutting via discontinuity layout optimization. Procedia CIRP, 82, 37-42. View this article in WRRO
- Theoretically optimal forms for very long-span bridges under gravity loading. Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 474(2217). View this article in WRRO
- Design of optimum grillages using layout optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 58(3), 851-868. View this article in WRRO
- Influence of railway loading on the performance of soil-filled masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Bridge Engineering, 1-36. View this article in WRRO
- Theoretically optimal bracing for pre-existing building frames. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 58(2), 677-686. View this article in WRRO
- Automatic Yield-Line Analysis of Practical Slab Configurations via Discontinuity Layout Optimization. Journal of Structural Engineering, 143(7). View this article in WRRO
- Large-scale physical modelling of soil-filled masonry arch bridges. International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics, 1-14. View this article in WRRO
- Application of layout optimization to the design of additively manufactured metallic components. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 54(5), 1297-1313. View this article in WRRO
- Automatic rationalization of yield-line patterns identified using discontinuity layout optimization. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 84, 27-39. View this article in WRRO
- Modelling rotational failure in confined geometries using DLO. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 168(4), 155-168. View this article in WRRO
- Modelling granular soil behaviour using a physics engine. Géotechnique Letters, 5(4), 243-249. View this article in WRRO
- Optimum structure for a uniform load over multiple spans. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 52(6), 1041-1050. View this article in WRRO
- The yield-line method for concrete slabs: Automated at last. Structural Engineer, 93(10), 44-48.
- Rationalization of trusses generated via layout optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 52(4), 677-694. View this article in WRRO
- Non-associative limit analysis of the toppling-sliding failure of rock slopes. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 71, 1-11. View this article in WRRO
- Automatic yield-line analysis of slabs using discontinuity layout optimization. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 470(2168). View this article in WRRO
- Limit analysis of 3D masonry block structures with non-associative frictional joints using cone programming. Computers & Structures, 143, 108-121.
- Modelling discrete soil reinforcement in numerical limit analysis. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 50(7), 705-715. View this article in WRRO
- Application of discontinuity layout optimization to three-dimensional plasticity problems. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 469(2155). View this article in WRRO
- View this article in WRRO Identification of rotational failure mechanisms in cohesive media using discontinuity layout optimization. Geotechnique: International Journal of Soil Mechanics, 63(14), 1194-1208.
- Influence of backfill on the capacity of masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Bridge Engineering, 165(3), 147-157. View this article in WRRO
- A locking-free stabilized kinematic EFG model for plane strain limit analysis. Computers and Structures, 106-107, 1-8. View this article in WRRO
- Potential use of structural layout optimization at the conceptual design stage. International Journal of Architectural Computing, 10(1), 13-32. View this article in WRRO
- On the optimality of Hemp’s arch with vertical hangers. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 46(1), 17-25. View this article in WRRO
- View this article in WRRO Ultimate limit state design to Eurocode 7 using numerical methods Part II: Proposed design procedure and application. Ground Engineering, 44(11), 24-29.
- View this article in WRRO Ultimate limit state design to Eurocode 7 using numerical methods Part I: Methodology and theory. Ground Engineering, 44(10), 25-30.
- 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), 1101-1120.
- Masonry arch analysis using discontinuity layout optimisation. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering and Computational Mechanics, 163(3), 155-166.
- Limit analysis of plates and slabs using a meshless equilibrium formulation. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 83, 1739-1758. View this article in WRRO
- Adaptive element-free Galerkin method applied to the limit analysis of plates. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 199(37-40), 2487-2496. View this article in WRRO
- Soil structure revolution. Structural Engineer, 88(3), 18-22.
- Optimum structure to carry a uniform load between pinned supports. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 42, 33-42.
- Limit analysis of plates using the EFG method and second-order cone programming. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 78, 1532-1552. View this article in WRRO
- Improving the impact resistance of masonry parapet walls. Structures and Buildings, 162, 57-67.
- Application of discontinuity layout optimization to plane plasticity problems. Proceedings Royal Society A, 463(2086), 2461-2484. View this article in WRRO
- The performance of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to low-velocity impacts: Finite element analysis. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 34(8), 1433-1450.
- The response of masonry joints to dynamic tensile loading. Materials and Structures, 40, 517-527.
- Load-carrying capacity of flooded masonry arch bridges. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Bridge Engineering, 159, 97-103.
- Limit analysis of masonry block structures with non-associative frictional joints using linear programming. Computers and Structures, 84, 873-887.
- Practical plastic layout optimization of trusses incorporating stability considerations. Computers and Structures, 84(3-4), 115-126.
- Layout optimization of large-scale pin-jointed frames. Engineering Computations, 20(8), 1044-1064.
- The performance of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to low-velocity impacts: Mechanism analysis. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 27(3), 253-275.
- The performance of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to low-velocity impacts: Experiments. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 27(3), 231-251.
- The collapse behaviour of multispan brickwork arch bridges. Structural Engineer, 75(17), 297-305.
- Behaviour of multi-ring brickwork arch bridges. Structural Engineer London, 73(3), 39-47.
- Rigid-block analysis of masonry structures. Structural Engineer, 72(21), 356-361.
- Limit analysis of masonry walls using discontinuity layout optimization and homogenization. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering.
Chapters
- Thrust Layout Optimization for the Analysis of Historic Masonry Structures, RILEM Bookseries (pp. 626-638). Springer Nature Switzerland
- Research group
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Computational Mechanics & Design
Intelligent Infrastructure
- Grants
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Past Grants
This 26 partner project focuses on the development of methods to allow direct energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing processes to be applied reliably to the manufacture of large metallic parts.
Exploiting the resilience of masonry arch bridge infrastructure
The goal of this project is to provide those responsible for the management of bridges with a powerful suite of analysis modelling tools and a robust overarching multi-level framework capable of being applied to the diverse population of masonry arch bridges in-service today (i.e. undamaged, damaged and repaired).
Masonry arch bridges containing internal spandrels
This project involves numerical modelling studies and parallel medium-scale laboratory tests on bridges containing internal spandrel walls. The aim is to improve our understanding of the behaviour of bridges containing internal spandrel walls, and to develop methods that can be used with confidence by bridge assessment engineers.
Practical 3D model of masonry arch bridges and tunnel linings
The decision support tools currently used by bridge owners and their consultants tend to be highly simplified, and incapable of identifying bridges which are likely to deteriorate under traffic loads, and of diagnosing the causes of a range of commonly encountered defects.
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Co-founder and Managing Director of the University spin-out company LimitState Ltd. The company specialises in the development of novel analysis and design software applications which make use of methods developed in the University. LimitState software is now used by >150 industry organizations in >30 countries.
- Chartered Civil Engineer
- Organisations sponsoring his research have included EPSRC, Innovate UK, Network Rail, Buro Happold, Expedition Engineering and the International Union of Railways (UIC).
- Recipient of the ICE Baker Medal (2007) and the IStructE Husband Award (1999) for published journal papers.