NEWSLETTER

ASRANet, an EPSRC-funded network to encourage the integration of advanced structural analysis (ASA) with structural reliability analysis (SRA), has been working over al year. With nearly 120 members world-wide and covering a broad range of industries and academic research interests, the network has developed quickly and is looking forward to some serious work in the coming year. In its first year, the network held two specialist courses (Design By Advanced Structural Analysis, and Structural Reliability & Decision Analysis) and hosted an international Colloquium for members and non-members.

The Network is run by a steering group and is organised into 8 industry-related special-interest groups and 3 generic groups. A Champion, advised by an experienced Mentor, motivates each group. During the coming year the Network sees its first priority to become the first port-of-call for information on current and recent research. It will be prioritising research proposals and advising the EPSRC on what their priorities should be in order to help industry integrate ASA & SRA. To do this the Network is seeking information from industries and researchers of work in ASA (e.g. non-linear FE Analysis) and SRA. Particularly sought is research that includes validating data from real life structures. Even if the data is confidential, the Network would like to know of its existence.

Recent meetings of the groups for Ships and for Offshore Installations have identified priorities for project work and the aim will be to get Joint Industry Projects (JIP) going to support the needs of the industries represented in our working groups.

ASRANet will be running at least 2 more specialist courses during the coming year , a Colloquium in July 2001 and is planning a major International Meeting for summer 2002. Newsletters are published 3 times a year, with one due out in February.

Membership of the network is currently free of charge and open to anyone interested in the field who wishes to contribute to the Network's work. ASRAnet has a website (www.asranet.com) with full details of the working groups, links and papers from the Colloquium. Member organisations may advertise free of charge on the website. You can contact ASRANet via Dr Nina Baker, ASRANet coordinator, email: nbaker@eng.gla.ac.uk, tel. 0141 954 4602, Dept of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ.