Paul Withers’ new found status as ‘grey-haired troubleshooter’ found a unique outlet when he was called on to play the role of Batman one afternoon!
However, it did not involve having to become DC Comics’ superhero or even wear a cape: just old clothes and a good pair of boots.
Paul said: “I received a call from a concerned client in relation to a steel corrugated culvert which had been installed under a new earth embankment beneath a road.
“However, during construction, the culvert finished up more rugby ball shaped than round, prompting concerns about its structural capacity and ability to support the soil and highway loadings above.”
The culvert, which carries a water stream in its invert, also acts as a passageway for bats and other animals to safely cross the highway.
“The culvert helps protect valuable wildlife,” added Paul, “and I was tasked with evidencing that, despite its marginal deformity, it was still capable of performing its function for the next 120 years. I also had to consider the possible loss of thickening due to corrosion.
“Fortunately I was able to confirm an optimistic outcome for the client.
“All rather mundane compared to some of the huge civil engineering projects I have worked on over a career spanning more than 40 years.
“However, it’s nice to know that as I near my twilight years in career terms, I am still occasionally called upon to play the role of superhero!”