Professor Fin O' Flaherty

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Professor Fin O'Flaherty PhD

Principal Consultant


Summary

Fin is a Principal Consultant within the Centre for Infrastructure Management (CIM) within the Materials and Engineering Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University. Within this research centre, Fin uses his wealth of experience to deliver services for businesses operating in the infrastructure and construction sector. Fin offers a range of expertise and services such as structural testing, product development, recycling solutions, insulation testing and many more.

Latest Project: 

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/yorkshire-project-create-ice-melting-railway-platforms-gets-ps94m-government-funding-2886391

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/06/16/heated-smart-train-platforms-project-funded-government/

https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/transport/sheffield-hallams-ice-melting-railway-platforms-project-receive-ps94million-government-funding-2886461


About

  • Chartered Civil Engineer with strong track record in researching repair and maintenance of concrete structures and energy consumption in the built environment
  • Sustained record of income generation in research/knowledge transfer/consultancy
  • Designed, led and delivered a training course for Bridge Inspectors which meet the requirements of the international 'Bridge Inspectors Training and Competence Scheme', run by the UK Bridges Board, 2014 to date
  • Designed and delivered numerous CPD courses in concrete repair and maintenance

Teaching

College of Business, Technology and Engineering

Fin is the Course Leader for the 'Bridge Inspection Training Course', a six-day professional training course designed to equip bridge inspectors with the required knowledge to become certified under the Bridge Inspector Certification Scheme of the UK Bridges Board. The course is delivered in various locations across the UK. It is also available for International delivery or as an in-house option.


Research

  • Nationally and Internationally recognised expert in researching the performance of built infrastructure and knowledge exchange with stakeholders
  • Outputs in high quality journals, refereed international conferences and non-refereed conferences/workshops
  • Established and modelled the interaction between new repair materials and the original concrete substrate in bridges
  • Initiated new ways of strengthening and repairing concrete structures to enhance strength and increase service life
  • Contributed to all RAE/REF assessments whilst at Sheffield Hallam University (2001, 2008, 2014)
  • High impact via training local authority and bridge inspection professionals across the UK and abroad
  • Energy performance of buildings/district heating research informs the UK Government on performance
  • Currently supervising a number of PhD/MPhil students in the broad area of built infrastructure  (corrosion prevention for sustainability, development of low energy construction materials, low energy heated panels)
  • PhD examiner

Summary of Interests

  • performance of corroding and repaired reinforced concrete elements
  • repair and maintenance of concrete infrastructure
  • corrosion prevention and strengthening of reinforced concrete
  • development and evaluation of construction materials
  • development of low energy heated panels for electric vehicles
  • performance of low impact buildings for carbon reduction

Publications

O'Flaherty, F., Elomari, I.R., & Lambert, P. (2020). Influence of accidental over‐polarisation on the mechanical properties of cathodically protected pre‐tensioned tendons. Materials and Corrosion. http://doi.org/10.1002/maco.202012194

O'Flaherty, F., & Browne, E. (2019). A proposal to modify the moment coefficient in Eurocode 2 for predicting the residual strength of corroded reinforced concrete beams. Engineering Structures, 193, 324-339. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.05.039

O'Flaherty, F., Khalaf, F.J., & Starinieri, V. (2019). Influence of nanomaterials on properties of lime and hemp/lime composites for energy efficient wall design. Advances in building energy research. http://doi.org/10.1080/17512549.2019.1586584

O'Flaherty, F., & Alam, M. (2018). Thermal and sound insulation performance assessment of vacuum insulated composite insulation panels for building façades. Advances in Building Energy Research. http://doi.org/10.1080/17512549.2018.1520645

O'Flaherty, F., Van Nguyen, C., Lambert, P., Mangat, P., & Jones, G. (2018). Optimised cathodic protection design for maximum bond performance in reinforced concrete. Materials and Corrosion / Werkstoffe und Korrosion, 69 (9), 1151-1162. http://doi.org/10.1002/maco.201810116

O'Flaherty, F., Lambert, P., Mangat, P., & Starinieri, V. (2017). Determination of transfer stress from ruptured pre-load galvanised tendons in tanks and bund walls. Materials and structures, 50 (5), 228. http://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-017-1099-2

Ambrose, A., Goodchild, B., & O'Flaherty, F. (2017). Understanding the user in low energy housing: a comparison of positivist and phenomenological approaches. Energy Research & Social Science, 34, 163-171. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.035

Lambert, P., Van Nguyen, C., Mangat, P.S., O'Flaherty, F., & Jones, G. (2015). Dual function carbon fibre fabric strengthening and impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) anode for reinforced concrete structures. Materials and structures, 48 (7), 2157-2167. http://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-014-0300-0

Nguyen, C., Lambert, P., Mangat, P., O'Flaherty, F., & Jones, G. (2015). Near-surface mounted carbon fibre rod used for combined strengthening and cathodic protection for reinforced concrete structures. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 12 (3), 356-365. http://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2015.1017507

Lambert, P., Macdonald, M., Mangat, P., O'Flaherty, F., Nguyen, C., & Jones, G. (2015). A combined solution for the strengthening and corrosion protection of reinforced concrete structures. Concrete, 15. http://www.concrete.org.uk/

Goodchild, B., O'Flaherty, F., & Ambrose, A. (2014). Inside the eco-home: using video to understand the implications of innovative housing. Housing, Theory and Society, 31 (3), 334-352. http://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2014.903855

Van Nguyen, C., Lambert, P., Mangat, P., O'Flaherty, F., & Jones, G. (2012). The performance of carbon fibre composites as ICCP anodes for reinforced concrete structures. ISRN Corrosion, 2012, 1-9. http://doi.org/10.5402/2012/814923

Wu, Y.Y., Lambert, P., Mangat, P., & O'Flaherty, F. (2011). Analysis of stray current induced by cathodic protection on steel-framed masonry structures. Open Corrosion Journal, (4), 34-39. http://www.benthamscience.com/open/tocorrj/articles/V004/34TOCORRJ.pdf

Chidiroglou, I., O'Flaherty, F., & Goodwin, A. (2009). Shear behaviour of crushed concrete and bricks. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Construction Materials, 162 (3), 121-126. http://doi.org/10.1680/coma.2009.162.3.121

Lambert, P., Mangat, P.S., O'Flaherty, F., & Wu, Y.Y. (2008). Influence of resistivity on current and potential distribution of cathodic protection systems for steel framed masonry structures. Corrosion engineering science and technology, 43 (1), 16-22. http://doi.org/10.1179/174327807X214897

Chidiroglou, I., Goodwin, A.K., Laycock, E., & O'Flaherty, F. (2008). Physical properties of demolition waste material. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Construction Materials, 161 (3), 97-103. http://doi.org/10.1680/coma.2008.161.3.97

Chidiroglou, I., Goodwin, A., Laycock, L., & O'Flaherty, F. (2008). Physical properties of demolition waste material. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineering Journal Construction Materials, (CM3), 97-103. http://doi.org/10.1680/coma.2008.161.1.3.97

O'Flaherty, F., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., & Browne, E. (2008). Effect of under-reinforcement on the flexural strengthof corroded beams. Materials and structures, 41 (2), 311-321. http://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-007-9241-1

Lambert, P., Mangat, P., O'Flaherty, F., & Wu, Y.-.Y. (2008). Cathodic protection of steel framed masonry structures - experimental and numerical studies. Materials and structures, 41 (2), 301-310. http://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-007-9240-2

O'Flaherty, F., & Mangat, P.S. (2006). A simplified design approach to prevent shrinkage cracking in patch repairs. Magazine of concrete research, 58 (1), 31-42. http://doi.org/10.1680/macr.2006.58.1.31

Mangat, P.S., & O'Flaherty, F. (2004). Analysis of interfacial shrinkage stresses in patch repairs. Magazine of concrete research, 56 (7), 375-385. http://doi.org/10.1680/macr.56.7.375.46714

O'Flaherty, F., Ghassemlooy, Z., Mangat, P.S., & Dowker, K. (2004). Temperature characterisation of long period gratings for sensor applications. Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, 42 (5), 402-405. http://doi.org/10.1002/mop.20317

Mangat, P.S., & O'Flaherty, F. (2000). Factors affecting the efficiency of repair to propped and unpropped bridge beams. Magazine of concrete research, 52 (4), 303-319. http://doi.org/10.1680/macr.2000.52.4.303

Mangat, P.S., & O'Flaherty, F. (2000). Influence of elastic modulus on stress redistribution and cracking in repair patches. Cement and Concrete Research, 30 (1), 125-136. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00217-3

Mangat, P.S., & O'Flaherty, F. (1999). Serviceability characteristics of flowing repairs to propped and unpropped bridge structures. Materials and structures, 32 (223), 663-672. http://doi.org/10.1007/BF02481704

Mangat, P.S., & O'Flaherty, F. (1999). Long-term performance of high-stiffness repairs in highway structures. Magazine of concrete research, 51 (5), 325-339. http://doi.org/10.1680/macr.1999.51.5.325

Conference papers

O'Flaherty, F., Khalaf, F., & Starinieri, V. (2020). Development of lime based, load-bearing materials for wall construction. Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction, 7 (1), MAT-21. http://doi.org/10.14455/isec.res.2020.7(1).mat-21

O'Flaherty, F. (2020). Correlation between the inspection manual severity codes and moment coefficient for deteriorated concrete beams. Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction, STR-41. http://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.res.2020.7(1).STR-41

O'Flaherty, F., Elomari, I., & Lambert, P. (2017). Corrosion induced losses in pre-stressed tendons. In 37th Cement and Concrete Science Conference, University College London, 11 September 2017 - 12 September 2017. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/aim/conference-info/37ccs

Alam, M., & O'Flaherty, F. (2017). Thermal characterisation of Composite Insulation Panels using a vacuum insulated core. In SOLARIS Conference 2017, Brunel University, London, 27 July 2017 - 28 July 2017. https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/News-and-events/events/SOLARIS-2017

Alam, M., & O'Flaherty, F. (2016). Influence of acoustic membrane on sound and thermal properties of building façade panels. In 11th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland, 10 October 2016 - 11 October 2016 (pp. 729-736). Switzerland: Advanced Building Skins GmbH

O'Flaherty, F., Browne, E., Mangat, P., & Lambert, P. (2015). Relationship between corrosion and element severity score for reinforced concrete beams. In Saha, S., Zhang, Y.X., Yazdani, S., & Singh, A. (Eds.) Implementing Innovative Ideas in structural engineering and project management, (pp. 575-580). ISEC Press: http://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.res.2015.82

Nguyen, C., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., O'Flaherty, F., & Jones, G. (2014). Carbon fibre fabric used for combined flexural strengthening and cathodic protection anode for reinforced concrete beams. In Next Generation Rail conference, Manchester, 12 June 2014.

Goodchild, B., O'Flaherty, F., & Walshaw, A. (2013). Video making as research: learning fromthe experience of eco-homes. In Housing Association Studies annual conference, York, 10 April 2013 - 12 April 2013.

Van Nguyen, C., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., O'Flaherty, F., & Jones, G. (2012). Dual function carbon fibre strengthening and cathodic protection anode for reinforced concrete structures. In Alexander, M.G., Beushausen, H.-.D., Dehn, F., & Moyo, P. (Eds.) Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting III: 3rd International Conference on Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting. CRC: http://doi.org/10.1201/b12750-201

Walshaw, A., Goodchild, B., & O'Flaherty, F. (2012). User perspectives in housing modernisation. In AESOP Annual Congress, Ankara, Turkey, 11 July 2012 - 15 July 2012.

Walshaw, A., Goodchild, B., & O'Flaherty, F. (2012). User perspectives in low energy housing. In The ENHR Conference 2012, Lillehammer, 1 June 2012. http://www.congrex.no/enhr2012/

O'Flaherty, F., Pinder, J., & Jackson, C. (2012). Determination of payback periods for photovoltaic systems in domestic properties. In Retrofit 2012, Salford, UK, 24 January 2012 - 26 January 2012.

O'Flaherty, F., Pinder, J., & Jackson, C. (2012). Evaluating the performance of domestic solar thermal systems. In Retrofit 2012, Salford, UK, 24 January 2012 - 26 January 2012.

O'Flaherty, F., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., & Brown, E.H. (2010). Influence of steel reinforcement corrosion on the stiffness of simply supported concrete beams. Biophysical journal. http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9780415877862

O'Flaherty, F., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., & Brown, E.H. (2010). Influence of shear reinforcement corrosion on the performance of under-reinforced concrete beams. Biophysical journal. http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9780415877862

O'Flaherty, F.J., Mangat, P.S., Lambert, P., & Browne, E.H. (2010). Influence of steel reinforcement corrosion on the stiffness of simply supported concrete beams. Bridge Maintenance, Safety, Management and Life-Cycle Optimization - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, 3442-3447.

O'Flaherty, F.J., Mangat, P.S., Lambert, P., & Browne, E.H. (2010). Influence of shear reinforcement corrosion on the performance of underreinforced concrete beams. Bridge Maintenance, Safety, Management and Life-Cycle Optimization - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, 3448-3452.

O’Flaherty, F.J., Pinder, J.A., & Jackson, C. (2009). The Role of Photovoltaics in Reducing Carbon Emissions in Domestic Properties. In Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, (pp. 107-115). Springer Berlin Heidelberg: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03454-1_12

O'Flaherty, F., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., & Browne, E. (2009). Effect of main steel corrosion on the stiffness of corroded reinforced concrete beams. In Koh, H.-.M., & Frangopol, D.M. (Eds.) Bridge Maintenance, Safety Management, Health Monitoring and Informatics - IABMAS '08, (pp. 232). CRC Press: http://doi.org/10.1201/9781439828434.ch113

Jackson, C., O’Flaherty, F., & Pinder, J. (2009). Managing Change in Domestic Renewable Energy Schemes. In Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, (pp. 175-186). Springer Berlin Heidelberg: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03454-1_19

O'Flaherty, F., Hristova, E.H., Mangat, P., & Lambert, P. (2004). Impact of main steel diameter on the flexural capacity of deteriorated reinforced concrete beams. In Bridge Maintenance, Safety, Management and Cost: Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety and Management, Kyoto, Japan, 18 October 2004 - 22 October 2004.

Hristova, E.H., O'Flaherty, F., Mangat, P., & Lambert, P. (2003). The influence of cover on the flexural capacity of deteriorated reinforced concrete beams. In International Structural Engineering and Construction Conference, Faculty of Engineering, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy, 23 September 2003 - 26 September 2003.

O'Flaherty, F., & Mangat, P.S. (1999). Influence of constituents on the properties of self compacting repair materials. In 1st International RILEM Symposium on Self-Compacting Concrete, (pp. 263-274). RILEM

Mangat, P., & O'Flaherty, F. (1999). Efficacy of different materials and methods ofrepair in highway bridges. In Concrete Communication Conference '99: The 9th BCA Annual Conference on Higher Education and the Concrete Industry, Cardiff University, 8 July 1999 - 9 July 1999.

Mangat, P., & O'Flaherty, F. (1999). Long term performance criteria for concrete repair materials. In Skarendahl, Å., & Petersson, Ö. (Eds.) International Congress, Creating with Concrete - Concrete Durability and Repair Technology, University of Dundee, 6 September 1999 - 10 September 1999 (pp. 263-274). RILEM Publications SARL

Book chapters

Maucourant, C., & O'Flaherty, F. (2024). Influence of treatment technique on the effectiveness of nanolime as a consolidant for low-porosity limestones. In Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development. Springer

Jackson, C., O'Flaherty, F., & Pinder, J. (2009). Managing change in domestic renewable energyschemes. In Howlett, R.J., Jain, L.C., & Lee, S.H. (Eds.) Sustainability in Energy and Buildings. (pp. 175-186). Springer: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03454-1

O'Flaherty, F., & Mangat, P. (2003). The performance of concrete repair over a five year period. In 2nd International Symposium: Integrated Lifetime Engineering of Buildings. (pp. 1001-1010). Not specified: http://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB5365.pdf

Dowker, P., Ghassemlooy, Z., Ray, A.K., O'Flaherty, F., & Mangat, P. (2003). Period dependent temperature and ambient index effects on long period fibre gratings. In Prosser, S.J., & Lewis, E. (Eds.) Sensors and Their Applications. CRC Press

O'Flaherty, F., & Mangat, P. (2003). Recommendations for the European prestandard for concrete repair. In Naus, D.J. (Ed.) 2nd International RILEM Workshop on Life Prediction and Aging Management of Concrete Structures. (pp. 237-245). RILEM Publications SARL: http://doi.org/10.1617/2912143780.023

O'Flaherty, F., Ghassemlooy, Z., Mangat, P., & Dowker, K. (2003). Temperature characterisation of LPG sensors for monitoring deterioration in reinforced concrete. In ILCDES 2003: Integrated Lifetime Engineering of Buildings and Civil Infrastructures. (pp. 1001-1006). Rotterdam: In-house: http://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB5365.pdf

Mangat, P., & O'Flaherty, F. (1996). Long term performance of sprayed concrete repair in highway structures. In Austin, S.A. (Ed.) Sprayed concrete technology : the proceedings of the ACI/SCA International Conference on Sprayed Concrete/Shotcrete, "Sprayed concrete technology for the 21st century" held at Edinburgh University. Edinburgh University: E & FN Spon

Reports

Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Pinder, J., Gilbertson, J., & O'Flaherty, F. (2015). Low Carbon Pioneer Cities Heat Networks Project: a process evaluation. Department of Energy and Climate Change. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/low-carbon-pioneer-cities-heat-networks-project-a-process-evaluation

Theses / Dissertations

Maucourant, C. (2022). Enhancement and development of nanolime techniques for the consolidation of limestones. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by O'Flaherty, F., Mangat, P., Starinieri, V., Sweek, T., & Drago, A. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00556

Elbuaishi, E.E. (2020). Properties of biomass fly ash concrete. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mangat, P., & O'Flaherty, F. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00344

Khalaf, F.J. (2019). High Performance Reinforced Hemp-Lime Nanocomposite Construction Materials. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by O'Flaherty, F. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00266

Elomari, I.R. (2019). Cathodic Protection of Corroded Pre-stressed Tendons. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by O'Flaherty, F. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00248

Elomari, I.R. (2019). Cathodic Protection of Corroded Pre-stressed Tendons. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by O'Flaherty, F. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00248

Nguyen, C.V. (2014). Dual function carbon fibre reinforced anode system for concrete structures. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mangat, P., Lambert, P., & O'Flaherty, F.

Chidiroglou, I. (2007). Characterisation and behaviour of recycled concrete and bricks as engineered fill. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mangat, P., Laycock, E., & O'Flaherty, F.

Hristova, E.H. (2006). Residual strength of corroded reinforced concrete beams. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by O'Flaherty, F., & Mangat, P.S.

Green, L.F. (2005). Development of an expert system for reinforced concrete bridge repair. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mangat, P., & O'Flaherty, F.

O'Flaherty, F. (1998). Long term performance of concrete repair in highway structures. (Doctoral thesis).

Presentations

Jones, G., Mangat, P., Lambert, P., & O'Flaherty, F. (2018). Using alkali-activated smart concrete for enhanced performance of structures. Presented at: International Conference on Alkali Activated Materials and Geopolymers 2018, Tomar, Portugal, 2018

O'Flaherty, F., & Kirrane, J. (2013). Impact of Decent Homes upgrade on the performance of a district heating system. Presented at: Young OR conference of the Operational Research Society on "Infrastructure", University of Exeter, 2013

Posters

Lewis, O., O'Flaherty, F., Lambert, P., Stephenson, D., Boden, M., & Thistlethwaite, S. (2011). A Study of Aluminium Zinc Indium Thermal Spray Coatings for the Protection of Steel Rebars in Reinforced Concrete. Presented at: 5th RIPT (Les Recontres Internationales sur la Projection Themique), Limoges, France, 2011

Media

Fin is a chartered engineer with a background in civil engineering. His main expertise is in the area of repair and maintenance of concrete bridges, development and evaluation of construction materials, testing and assessment of buildings and materials for energy conservation. He is a researcher and consultant in the University's Centre for Infrastructure Management which provides a professional service to the construction and infrastructure sector.


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