Lighting the fire – Lydia’s summer internship with HERA

What happens when passion meets opportunity? For Lydia Frater, this summer offered more than just a chance to gain work experience—it was an opportunity to make an impact in structural fire engineering.

Lydia is a HERA Whanake Scholarship Recipient, and we were pleased to have us work on a project with us as part of an internship opportunity with our Structural Systems team. Under the supervision of our Senior Structural Fire Engineer Mayank Shrivastava, with General Manager Kaveh Andisheh providing guidance, her work has been focused on supporting the development of innovative tools and cutting-edge research that aim to optimise fire protection and design in structural steel construction.

In this interview, Lydia shares her insights, experiences, and aspirations as she embarks on a journey that combines her academic knowledge with practical applications in the engineering field.

Where are you at in your degree now?

I am preparing to complete my third year of study in civil engineering at the University of Canterbury, where I am majoring in structural engineering. I have recently completed my first building project, which included a 4-metre bridge following sustainability constraints, cultural aspects, loading, and material use.

My team won three awards presented by Holmes – first place in structural efficiency, third place in sustainability, and fourth place in biculturalism. This project was the highlight of this year’s study for me and I’m looking forward to expanding my skills in the third year!

What other internships have you done?

During the summer of 2023–2024, I completed an internship at John Jones Steel, where I was lucky enough to gained hands-on experience. This included working in the workshop to learn about steel processing, fabrication, welding, and painting, and even giving fabrication a go myself. I also had the opportunity to engage in quality assurance at each process step, both in the workshop and on-site. Additionally, I spent time in the drafting office, participated in project manager meetings, and attended toolbox talks.

Has your interaction with HERA inspired a love for steel construction?

Yes, it has! Before engaging with HERA, my understanding of steel construction and its role in engineering was limited. Through my experience, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the significance of steel in construction, particularly the efforts toward its sustainable development. Learning about the versatility and potential of steel has solidified my interest in pursuing a career in structural engineering.

What do you love about your degree?

I love studying civil engineering because of the strong sense of community within the field. Over the past few years, I’ve immersed myself in connecting with companies and professionals who share a passion for engineering. It’s inspiring to see the effort industry professionals put into supporting students and fostering career development, especially HERA where I have gained great opportunities and inspiration.

The journey of earning an engineering degree is full of challenges, but it’s incredibly rewarding. I appreciate the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics, and the flexibility to specialise in areas that excite me the most.

What are you most excited about for your future career?

I’m eager to complete my degree and start my professional journey in engineering. I know this will be a time of tremendous growth as I discover which aspects of the field I’m most passionate about. Above all, I’m excited to contribute meaningful input to projects that have a lasting impact on communities and the built environment.

What is your HERA internship project all about?

This summer, I have been given an incredible opportunity to work on a structural fire engineering project through my HERA internship. I’m involved in three main tasks:

HERA Intumescent Tool (H.I.T.):
I’m using this tool to optimise cost-efficiency and sustainability in steel sections by analysing parameters, my research also explores the relationship between low-carbon embodiment and cost-effectiveness, considering factors such as bending axes, fire loadings, and intumescent coatings, section dimensions, and limiting temperatures.
Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular (CFST) columns:
I’m validating research on CFST columns, commonly used in bridges and high-rise buildings. This involves modelling and analysing reinforced and unreinforced columns to assess their performance under elevated temperatures. All calculations are aligned with code provisions to ensure accuracy.
Firewalls and steel posts:
I’m investigating the thermal and structural performance of steel posts in two-way fire-separating walls through numerical simulations and hand calculations. This work aims to better understand column behaviour under various fire exposure conditions.

Each of these projects requires detailed reports summarising my findings.

I’m thrilled to be learning about steel behaviour in fire scenarios, how this knowledge can enhance safety and efficiency in structural design, and grow my passion in structural engineering.