Secretary General - Dr. Andrew McNamara

Dr. Andrew McNamara

Dr McNamara is a practicing engineer with a strong attachment to academia and research.  He commenced his career with Pell Frischmann and Partners in 1980 working on the landmark Standard Chartered Bank project in London. 

He joined Trollope and Colls Construction Ltd (now Skanska) in 1990 where he became involved with developing and implementing temporary works solutions for commercial building developments.  At this point he commenced part time studies for an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at Kingston University followed by a part time MSc in Geotechnical Engineering at City, University of London.  He became involved in the construction of a very deep basement at the site of the former Knightsbridge Crown Court.  This inspired him to undertake doctoral research at City, University of London, under the supervision of Professor Neil Taylor, involving physical modelling work to investigate novel construction methods for controlling ground movement around excavations.  He was awarded his PhD in 2001 and was appointed to a post doctoral fellowship.

He is active in centrifuge research projects, addressing a wide range of construction process related problems; usually with an emphasis on sustainability of safety. Notable research has focussed on enhanced capacity bored piles in stiff clay, hollow piles for energy generation and overcoming problems inherent in pile reuse.

He was chair of ISSMGE technical committee TC104 on Physical Modelling in Geotechnical Engineering from 2014 2018; hosting the TCs quadrennial conference in 2018.

In collaboration with the Temporary Works forum (TWf) in the UK he established the Centre of Excellence in Temporary Works and Construction Method Engineering at City, University of London and developed the MSc in Temporary Works which is aimed at practicing engineers.

Between 2007 and 2010, he served on the editorial advisory panel for Proceedings of the ICE Geotechnical Engineering Journal.  He was a co-opted member of the British Geotechnical Association Committee from 2004 2008 and a member of the editorial advisory committee of EMAP Ground Engineering magazine between 2005 and 2015.

He is a keen supporter of the International Press-in Association based in Japan and with global interest; a research organisation established to better understand the design, installation and performance of pressed in piles.