Professor Simon Tait

Summary

Simon's primary research focus is on the processes associated with erosion, transportation and deposition of sediment in urban drainage systems, with a strong emphasis on fundamental flow and grain processes. Linked to this theme is his work in turbulence and surface wave dynamics associated with flows over rough, water worked sediment deposits. Professor Tait's secondary interest is in applying improved sediment transport prediction and measurement methodologies to better manage sediment based problems in man-made and natural conveyance systems.

Educational record:

• BSc (Eng) 1989 University of Aberdeen
• PhD, The physical process of bed armouring in mixed grain sediment transport. 1994 University of Aberdeen

Full-time employment history:

• 2006-date Professor of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering Design and Technology, University of Bradford
• 2003-2006 Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield
• 1994-2003 Lecturer, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield
• 2001-2001 Principal Visiting Researcher, WL Delft Hydraulics
• 1993-1994 Lecturer, Department of Engineering, University of Aberdeen
• 1989-1991 Research Assistant, Civil Engineering Hydraulics Group. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Aberdeen

Membership of Professional Institutions

Member and Secretary of the International Water Association (IWA) and the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR) Modelling and Data Working Group. Member of the IWA/IAHR Sewer Systems and Processes Working Group. Senior academic in the Pennine Water Group.

Recent research activities include:

• Nov 2009-date. Rapid measurement of sewer condition and blockage detection using novel acoustic instrumentation. Prof Horoshenkov co-investigator. Funded by the Royal Society. 
• April 2009-April. 2011 PARTS - Marie Currie Fellowship. Probabilistic assessment, retention and transport of sediment. Funded by the EU.
• Feb 2009-Feb 2012. Sonic characterisation of water surface waves, turbulence, mixing and bed friction in shallow water flows. Funded by EPSRC. 
• Jan 2009. Low cost sensor for CSO screen condition. Funded by Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. 
• Oct 2008 Sewer condition and blockage detection using novel acoustic instrumentation. Funded by EPSRC 

Recent Professional Activities

Reviewing

• Journal reviewer - ACSE Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, Proc. Institute of Civil Engineers Water Maritime and Energy. Journal of Hydraulic Research, Water resources Research, Journal of Hydrology, Earth Surface Process and Landforms, Journal of Geophysical Research and the Journal of River Basin Management.
• Member of the Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC) College of Reviewers (2005-2005) and Prioritisation Panel (EPSRC) (2006)
• Reviewer for the National Science Foundation (EPSRC)

Examining

• External examiner for PhD Assessment - University of Newcastle upon Tyne, University of New South wales, Napier University, Universite de Caen
• External examiner - MSc in Civil Engineering, London South bank University (2008), MSc in Sustainable River Catchment Flood Management, Herriot-Watt University (2008 - date)

Committees of Learned Societies

• Elected member of IWA/IAHR Working Group on Sewer Systems and Processes (www.sspwg.civil.aus.dk)
• Elected Member and Secretary of IWA/IAHR Working Group on Models and Data in Urban Drainage Systems

Recent Publications:

• Cooper. J. R. and Tait, S. J. (2009). Water worked gravel beds in laboratory flumes: a natural anologue. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 34, 384-397
• Bottacin-Bussolin. A., Tait. S. J., Marion. A., Chegini. A. and Tregnaghi. M. (2008). Probabilistic description of grain resistance from simultaneous flow field and grain motion. Water Resources Research 44, doi 10.1029/2007WR006224.2008
• Boxall. J. B. and Tait. S. J. (2008). Inquiry based learning in civil engineering laboratory classes. Proceedings of the Institute of Civil Engineers. Civil Engineering, 161, 138-143.
• Banasiak. R. and Tait. S. J. (2008). The reliability of sediment transport prediction in sewers, influence of hydraulic and morphological uncertainties. Water Science and Technology, 57(9), 1317-1327
• Schellart. A. N. A., Buijs. F. A., Tait. S. J. and Ashley. R. M. (2008). Estimation of uncertainty in long term combined sewer sediment behaiour: a UK case study. Water Science and Technology, 57(9), 1405-1411
• Cooper. J. R. and Tait, S. J. (2008). The spatial organisation of time averaged streamwise velocity and its correlation with the surface topography of water worked gravel beds. Acta Geophysica, 56(3), 614-642
• Measures. R. and Tait.S. J. (2008). Quantifying the role of bed surface topography in controlling sediment stability in water-worked gravel deposits. Water Resources, 44,
• Tait. S. J., Asley. R. M., Cashman. A., and Blanksby. J. (2008). Sewer system operation into the 21^st century: a study of selected responses. Urban Water, 5(1), 79-88
• Podd. F. J., Ali. MT.B., Horoshenkov. K., Wood. A. S., Tait. S. J., Boot. J. C., Long. R. and Saul. A. J. (2007). Rapid sonic characterisation of sewer change and obstructions. Water Science and Technology, 56(11), 131-139
• Ashley. R. M., Tait. S. J., Styan. E., Cashman. A., Luck. B., Blansby. J., saul. a. J. and Sandlands. L. (2007). "Sewer system design moving into the 21^st century": a UK perspective. Water Science and Technology, 55(4), 273-281