David Wagg & Simon Neild

Professor David Wagg and Dr Simon Neild are the authors of Nonlinear Vibration with Control.

David and Simon have collaborated on a wide range of projects. They have research interests on the dynamics and control of structural and mechanical engineering systems, particularly nonlinear structural dynamics. Their current research includes work on nonlinear modal analysis for vibration problems, and the dynamics and control of morphing structures. They are also working on other aspects of smart structures including active and semi-active vibration control. Most of their research includes experimental testing and, in particular they have been involved in new developments of hybrid testing such as hardware-in-the-loop and real-time dynamic substructuring. This has particularly useful applications in testing for large structures, such as bridges, and other seismically excited structures.

David Wagg

After several years spent working in construction and civil engineering David went to University College London as a mature student 1992-1995 to study Civil Engineering. After graduating, he stayed to study for his PhD on at the Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics and its Applications, also at UCL.

After finishing his PhD, in October 1998, David moved to the University of Bristol, joining the Earthquake Engineering Research Centre as a Postdoctoral researcher, working on real time dynamic substructuring. In June 2000, David was appointed as a Lecturer in Dynamics and Control in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He was promoted to Reader in 2007 and Professor in 2009. From 2004 to 2008 David was an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellow.

Outside work, David has been a keen climber for more than 25 years.
Climbing in Scotland, both summer and winter, is a particular passion.
Although being located in Bristol is not ideal, he usually manages several trips each year. Highlights include climbing the Old Man of Hoy and a full traverse of the Cullin ridge, as well as a winter ascent of Smiths Route on Ben Nevis.

 
Simon Neild

Simon completed his MEng in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford 1994-1998. After graduating, he stayed to study for his DPhil on using nonlinear vibration techniques to detect damage in structures. In 2001, Simon joined the University of Bristol Earthquake Engineering Research Centre as a Postdoctoral researcher. In 2003, Simon was appointed as a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2008.
Simon has been designing and making furniture for many years, mainly out of wood but often incorporating tubular steel. He finds it particularly satisfying to using old salvaged material or wood that he has cut from logs.

Simon also enjoys walking and regularly visits the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Professor Tony Guttmann, Melbourne University.

Professor Tony Guttmann, editor and author of Polygons, Polyominoes and Polycubes was kind enough to write a few words for us about his career and interests: Like most professional mathematicians, I loved numbers as a child, but a practical streak saw me enrol in electrical engineering, before switching to physics and mathematics halfway through my undergraduate studies at The University of Melbourne. I completed a Masters degree in physics, then went to the University of NSW for my doctoral studies in mathematics. After two years at King’s College, London, I returned to Newcastle (Australia), and eventually became Dean of Australia’s only Faculty of Mathematics there in 1985. I quickly concluded that the practice of mathematics was more rewarding to me personally than the administrative role of Dean, and moved back to the University of Melbourne in 1987, where I remain still. For the last 7 years, I have been Director of an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics of Complex Systems (MASCOS), a role that allows me a good mixture of administrative and mathematical challenges.

Triathlon world championships in Lausanne.

While at Newcastle I supervised a PhD student who was a talented runner, and with his encouragement I took up jogging, which I found an enormous stress reliever at the end of a day of administrative frustration. Despite having little genetic advantage, I was quickly hooked, and within a year ran my first marathon. I subsequently enjoyed running marathons around the world, in Boston, London, Exeter, Bordeaux as well as several in Australia. They say wisdom comes with age, and in 1996 I decided that they were too far, so switched back to triathlons, in which I’d dabbled earlier. As an age group triathlete, I am becoming increasingly competitive, as the attrition in the ranks means that those of us who are not dead or injured can enjoy a disproportionate level of success. Every few years I compete in the World Championships in duathlon or triathlon, which is always a fascinating experience—and sounds much more impressive than it actually is. As one of my compatriots remarked as we strolled to the start line: ”at our age, all you need to compete is a pulse.”

Tony completing a triathlon.

Having limited natural talent is an advantage, as I can enjoy the sport for its own sake, and for the enormous benefits it brings to personal and professional life. I think almost all the good mathematical ideas I’ve had I got while running, and whenever I’m stuck in a calculation, I go for a slow run and just churn over the problem in the background. Almost invariably I’ll come up with a new approach to my problem (which may or may not work). Additionally, I believe regular training, swimming, cycling, running, provides a level of energy which is necessary for sustained intellectual work. This viewpoint is beautifully argued by Haruki Murakami in his book What I talk about when I talk about running. I hope to continue to enjoy mathematics and triathlons for many years to come.

Derek Ward-Thompson signing copies of dotAstronomy on the Canopus stand at Astrofest, Kensington, London 2009.

Derek Ward-Thompson is one of the UK’s foremost researchers in the field of Star Formation. With his colleague Robert Simpson, he recently hosted a fascinating conference in Cardiff which looked at the way the web has revolutionised astronomical research (for example www.GalaxyZoo.org ). The book of the conference, Dotastronomy: Networked Astronomy and the New Media was published by Canopus in February, and can be viewed and purchased in our Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology list. Derek signed copies at the UK’s most popular astronomy event Astrofest www.astronomynow.com/astrofest in London. Derek is a frequent guest on Sir Patrick Moore’s long running television show Sky at Night ww.bbc.co.uk/skyatnight).

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