Dr. Norman Rhodes has been named Tunnel Services Technical director in the Mechanical & Electrical Technical Excellence Center at Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global infrastructure strategic consulting, engineering and program/construction management organization.
Rhodes is one of the world's leading experts in the application of advanced engineering analysis to solve complex design problems. His experience extends from the development and application of the first general-purpose computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for three-dimensional ventilation and fire analysis to their present-day application in design.
He comes to Parsons Brinckerhoff from Hatch Mott MacDonald, where he was responsible for the fire life safety and security practice for North America and Canada. He previously worked at CHAM Ltd where he specialized in CFD development and application. He also worked for the Y-ARD Ltd (Yarrow Admiralty Research Department) on naval ship design.
Rhodes is the former secretary of the PIARC (Permanent International Association of Road Congresses - now called the World Road Association) working group on fire and smoke control in tunnels, and is co-author of the following publications: "Fire & Smoke Control in Tunnels," "Systems and Equipment for Fire and Smoke Control in Road Tunnels," "Operational Strategies for Emergency Ventilation," "Design Fire Characteristics for Road Tunnels," "A Guide to Optimizing Air Quality Impact Upon the Environment," and "An Assessment of Fixed Fire Fighting Systems."
He also served on a steering committee of the European Community for research on fires in tunnels and was responsible for the development of best practice guidelines for emergency response management.
Rhodes received a Ph.D. from Southbank University, London. He holds a master's degree in Thermodynamics and Related Studies from Birmingham University and a first class honors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Dundee College of Technology.
Parsons Brinckerhoff is a leader in developing and operating infrastructure around the world, with 14,000 employees dedicated to meeting the needs of clients and communities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia-Pacific regions. The firm offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction management, and operations for transportation, power, mining, water/wastewater, and community development projects. Parsons Brinckerhoff is part of Balfour Beatty, an international infrastructure services business operating in professional services, construction services, support services and infrastructure investments (www.pbworld.com). Tags: