John F. Lyness cv
Summary
I have aimed for the highest quality of teaching practice and research output. I have delivered this by proactive participation in course development, modern methods of course delivery, participation in research programmes of international standing and by my contribution to an RAE grade 5 research group.
Before entering academic life I worked in offshore engineering and structural design. This professional experience has been highly relevant to my research and teaching in the areas of the applications of mechanics and engineering design.
My principal research area is the application of numerical methods in engineering. I have experience of using the finite element method, the finite difference method and the method of characteristics for the solution of partial differential equations arising in a range of engineering problems, from the progress of flood waves through river reaches to the ingress of chlorides into concrete.
I have been responsible for managing and working within budget targets, the day-to-day assistance and management of staff groups and management of groups of staff to meet deadlines and through transition periods.
School of the Built Environment
University of Ulster
Phone 028 90 366506
E-mail jf.lyness@ulster.ac.uk
DoB 1950
Academic
Qualifications
Professional
Qualifications
1971 BSc Hons 2i Civil Engineering, University College Swansea
1973 MSc Numerical Methods in Engineering, University College Swansea, “ Solution of the Nonlinear Poisson Equation Using the Finite Element Method “ and A grade average in examinations.
1976 PhD Finite Element Methods, University College Swansea
“ Solution of Nonlinear Field Problems Using the Finite Element Method “ supervisors OC Zienkiewicz FRS and DRJ Owen FREng
2001 PgCUT Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching, University of Ulster
1980 Member of the Institution of Structural Engineers, MIStructE
1980 Chartered Engineer, C Eng
1982 Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, MICE
1995 Member of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, MIMA
1995 Chartered Mathematician, C Math
Professional experience
Research Themes
I have experience of the use of computer aided analysis and design in the areas of structures and hydraulics both static and dynamic.
I have practical structural design experience (masonry, timber, steel and reinforced and prestressed concrete) and site experience (surveying, setting out, material quality control, flow gauging and datalogging)
1971 – 1975 Research Demonstrator, University College Swansea
1976 – 1977 Research Engineer, Halcrow Offshore, London
1977 – 1980 Structural Engineer, DoE (NI), Belfast
1980 – 1984 Reader in Computational Mechanics, Ulster Polytechnic
1984 – present Reader in Civil Engineering, University of Ulster
My research has focused on the use of computer based numerical methods in engineering. I am experienced in the use of finite
difference methods, finite element methods and the method of characteristics as research tools in Civil Engineering. During my career I have worked on a wide range of engineering applications from structural dynamics to flood wave dynamics and plasticity. Current research areas are the flow resistance of channels with mobile bed materials and the computer modelling of chloride ion ingress into prestressed concrete structures.
I am a member of the University of Ulster Centre for Sustainable Technologies Research Group, part of the RAE Built Environment Unit of Assessment, which gained a 5 rating in RAE 2001.
Ggg
Publications
External Funding I have consistently published in high quality refereed journals and I have encouraged others to do the same. I have also presented conference papers on research and I have presented and defended consultancy and final reports to grant awarding bodies.
50+ publications and reports
Reviewer for Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Water and Maritime Engineering, the Journal of Hydraulic Research IAHR, the American Society of Civil Engineers Journal of Hydraulic Research, the Journal of Cement and Concrete Research and the Journal of Materials and Structures.
I have actively participated in obtaining £624K in external income since 1986.
£80K EPSRC 1986- 89
Flow resistance in rivers with floodplains
WRC Myers and JF Lyness
£15K EC SPRINT 1991- 92
Application of information and control technology to the River Shannon and catchment
JF Lyness and WRC Myers
£4K BDP – Isle of Man Govt 1992- 93
Hydraulic aspects of the marina at Ramsey, Isle of Man
JF Lyness and WRC Myers
£131K EPSRC 1992- 96
Macrete Ireland Teaching Company
JF Lyness and W Cousins
£30K MAFF 1994-96
Post project monitoring of fish habitats on the River Blackwater
WRC Myers and JF Lyness
£150K EPSRC 1996-99
Hydraulic performance of meandering mobile bed compound channels with uniform sediment
WRC Myers and JF Lyness
£139K EPSRC 1997-01
Hydraulic performance of environmental features in rivers
WRC Myers and JF Lyness
£4K DOE NI 1998-99
Modelling of flow inlet structure Banbridge water treatment plant
JF Lyness and WRC Myers
NERC JIF £210K 2000-03
National Infrastructure for Catchment Hydrology Experiments Oona catchment programme
D Wilcock, WRC Myers, JF Lyness, B Rippey and C Carter
Research Supervision I have acted as first and second supervisor for PhD candidates
R Clarke completed PhD joint supervisor
W. Cousins completed PhD joint supervisor
J. Cromie completed PhD 1st supervisor
J. O’Sullivan completed PhD 2nd supervisor
J. Cassels completed PhD 2nd supervisor
M. Siegwart completed PhD 1st supervisor
C. McParland completed PhD 1st supervisor
A. Heanen completed PhD 2nd supervisor
R Karamisheva completed PhD 1st supervisor
Research Collaboration I have actively participated in several high quality collaborative research programmes in the areas of river hydraulics and concrete remediation. These programmes have involved participation with colleagues from other UK and European universities.
Currently member of UK EPSRC Network on Conveyance in Floodplain Systems
Previous collaborations with Dublin City University, Danish Hydraulic Institute, Hydraulic Research Wallingford Ltd, Rivers Agency Northern Ireland, consortia with Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Loughborough and QMW universities on river hydraulics research and concrete remediation research.
Previously referee for EPSRC engineering computing applications
Through other initiatives I have also have established links with the Universities of Glasgow, West of Scotland, Swansea and UC Dublin.
Learning and Teaching Developments Introduction of the method of characteristics into final year hydrauIics and development of finite element methods in final year structures. I have also recently developed the teaching and assessment of structural analysis and design in civil engineering through the introduction of “qualitative methods”. This initiative gives students a valuable understanding of structural behaviour without resort to detailed calculations.
Currently Module Co-ordinator for Engineering Mechanics CIV105J2, Design and Graphical Communications CIV121J1, Structural Analysis and Design CIV524J1 and BSc Project CIV525J3.
I also currently teach on Water Resources Engineering, Surveying modules and supervise BSc, BEng Projects and placement students.
Management Experience as a manager of academic staff and as a financial manager, formulating proposals, meeting deadlines for deliverables and producing documentation,
Convenor of the Civil Engineering and Transport Teaching Group, 1995-1999. Allocation of teaching responsibilities.
Manager of teaching group budgets, research contract budgets, teaching company contract budgets and consultancy contract budgets.
Co-ordinator of the Civil Engineering and Transport Quality Assurance and Enhancement arrangements for HEFCE TQA, 1997 – 1999
Co-ordinator of Civil Engineering degree full accreditations by Joint Board of Moderators of ICE and IStructE 1995, 2005.
External Representation
1985 - 1990 Committee NI Branch Institution of Structural Engineers,
1985 - 1990 Member Engineering Council Regional Organisation
1985 - 1990 Honorary Secretary Engineering Council Regional Organisation.
1985 - 1990 Honorary Treasurer Engineering Council Regional Organisation
1995 - 2007 Committee NI Branch Institution of Structural Engineers,
2000 - 2007 Honorary PRO NI Branch Institution of Structural Engineers
2004 Centenary Task Group London Institution of Structural Engineers,
2007 Vice Chair NI IStructE Branch Committee
2007 - external examiner for University of the West of Scotland BEng Hons and BSc programmes in Civil Engineering.
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