David Beneke Consulting was commissioned by Gerard Lighting to investigate a variable pitch kit which could b added to the existing SL25 street lighting LED lumninaire. The purpose of the variable pitch kit was to allow the luminaire to be placed in specific angles from the horizontal, for installations within New Zealand. 

David Beneke Consulting was commissioned by Wright Barrat Civil and Structural Engineers on behalf of DTD Engineering to undertake a finite element analysis (FEA) of three rectangular above ground water storage tanks to be used in a water treatment plant at Darling Walk, Sydney. These three tanks consisted of an MBBR, MBR and buffer tanks. All three tanks are manufactured from Grade 304 and 316 stainless steel and generally consist of wall panels with intermediate stiffeners and internal tie rods. The purpose of the FEA was to facilitate  a proof check of the tanks to ensure that their design satisfied the requirements of AS/NZS1170.0 and AS4100. 

As part of the extension works to the current Emigration and Security Entrance area on the Departures Hall level of Sydney International Airport, David Beneke Consulting was commissioned by Freyssinet Australia to undertake the Carbon Fibre shear reinforcement design for existing beams precast concrete single and double T-beams.

David Beneke Consulting was commissioned by Kennovations, Sydney to assist with the structural design of heliostats and reflectors for the 1 Central Park project, Sydney. Situated at the previous Carlton and United Brewery site on Broadway in Sydney, the heliostats and reflectors formed part of a primary architectural feature associated with two building towers. The heliostats, placed on top of the shorter western tower reflect sunlight up to a series of reflectors positioned under a steelwork structure cantilevering off the taller east tower. From there the light is directed down into the space between the two towers.

David Beneke Consulting was commissioned by D W Knox partners to investigate the on site failure of a box section compression member fabricated from two Lipped C sections fastened together. The FEA model of the nested lipped C box section consisted of each lipped C member being simulated using 2D plate/shell elements. The M6 fasteners used to bind the adjacent flanges of each lipped C member were simulated using 1 D line elements in conjunction “spider” arrays of stiff 1D line elements at the corresponding fastener holes. 1D compression only contact elements were used to simulate the contact interface between the adjacent flanges.

David Beneke Consulting was commissioned by Sylvania Schreder to undertake a finite element analysis (FEA) of a Pressure Die-Cast Aluminium Luminaire Mount (mount). The mount connects a spigot to a luminaire body in either a side or top position. In the side position, the spigot is aligned parallel to the luminaire body and in the top mount position, the spigot is aligned perpendicular to the luminaire body.

The Strand7 non-linear static solver incorporating boundary contact non-linearity was used to analyse this model an isometric image of which is shown below (top position indicated). The purpose of the analysis was to ensure that the surface stresses encountered by the mount were less than that allowable prior to tool production was commenced. It is noted that once manufacturing did take place, the mounts were then load tested for verification and certification purposes.

David Beneke Consulting has been commissioned by Insulect Australia for undertaking 3rd Party structural proof checks for steelwork supporting high voltage isolation switches (disconnectors). These isolation switches physically disconnect a circuit from a power supply allowing for maintenance and repairs and in the event of a short circuit. The disconnector range in voltage from 75 kV up to 145 kV.