Site visit to Schofield Centre at the University of Cambridge

Synopsis

The SECED Young Members’ Subcommittee and the Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group are delighted to invite SECED members to a visit of the Schofield Centre at the University of Cambridge (Post Code: CB3 0EF).

The Schofield Centre is a world-renowned laboratory for physical modelling in geotechnics. It is home to a wide range of experimental equipment including a 10m diameter Turner beam centrifuge. The centre focuses on the key questions of construction and environmental technology, where field, computational and physical modelling studies can be integrated in collaboration with industry

Programme

The site visit will begin with a guided tour of the Schofield Centre, where participants will have the opportunity to see the centrifuge testing pit, explore laboratory facilities and meet researchers to learn about their ongoing work. The tour will be followed by a lunch break at the Civil Engineering Building, after which there will be a series of presentations from the Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group, These will include an overview of the Schofield Centre by Professor Madabhushi and research presentations by Phd students and postdoctoral researchers. After the formal programme, visitors are welcome to join the organisers for a walk and dinner in the city centre of Cambridge.

Time

Activity

10:45 Meeting at Cambridge Train station
11:00 - 11:30 Transportation from Cambridge Train Station to Schofield Centre
11:30 - 13:00 Official start of event: Tour of the Schofield Centre
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch in the Civil Engineering Building
14:30 - 16:00 Official end of event: Presentations from the Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group
16:00 - 16:30 Transportation from the Civil Engineering Building to Cambridge City Centre and Train Station
16:30 - 18:30 Walk in Cambridge City Centre and dinner (optional)

About the host

Professor Gopal Madabhushi is a Professor of Civil Engineering in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. He is the head of the Geotechnical and Environmental Research Group and the Director of the Schofield Centre. Prof. Madabhushi is an international expert in earthquake geotechnical engineering, with his research interests ranging from post-earthquake field investigations to experimental and numerical studies of liquefaction-induced failure mechanisms in infrastructure. He has been instrumental in the development of new equipment at the Schofield centre, including the earthquake actuators and model containers for use of the beam centrifuge.

Registration

This event is open only to SECED members, including individual members and employees of corporate members (whether officially a named representative or not), and is free to attend, but registration is required. Please sign up by filling this form. Only 20 places are available, and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. 

If you are not a SECED member, you can apply by completing the online application forms for individual membership or corporate membership using the links. Further information about SECED membership including fees, is available here. Please note that student membership is free.

Further information

  • Commuting to Schofield centre: Transportation will be provided for commuting from Cambridge train station to the Schofield Centre and back. Details will be sent via email to those with a place,
  • Lunch Break: Lunch will be provided at the Civil Engineering Building during the break. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch if they have special dietary requirements or allergies.

Disclaimer: SECED does not accept any liability for any personal injury, loss of property, damage to property, delays, or any other incident which may occur in the course of the site visit. SECED may utilise various independent suppliers that provide food, transportation or other services connected with the site visit. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers

Event Details

Event Date 13/06/2025 10:45 am
Event End Date 13/06/2025 6:30 pm
Location Schofield centre