Professor Stephen Beck

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Stephen Beck
Profile picture of Stephen Beck
s.beck@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 7730

Full contact details

Professor Stephen Beck
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building
Mappin Street
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Profile

Professor Stephen Beck is a graduate of Bath University where he studied Mechanical Engineering. After graduation he was offered a post at Fermilab in Chicago where he developed software to control anti-protons.

He was awarded his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield in 1992. His thesis was on the stability of ventilation systems in nuclear power stations. This involved fluid mechanics, waves in pipes and power fluidics.

After several postdoctoral jobs he was offered a lectureship in Thermodynamics at the department. He became a senior lecturer in 2002 and in 2012 he was promoted to a personal chair.

Professor Beck has been working on flow measurement, leak detection, leaks from pipes, leaky gaskets (spot the theme), heat transfer from radiators and building performance. 

He is interested in quality enhancement of teaching and has served as Director of Undergraduate Studies in the department of Mechanical Engineering and then Director of Learning and Teaching Development for
the Faculty of Engineering. He was Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching, coordinating learning throughout the Engineering Faculty from 2008-2014, during which time he oversaw the implementation of a number of major changes to the teaching such as reducing Winter exams, the introduction of activity weeks, and a CPD scheme for teachers and lecturers.

From 2014 to 2022 as newly appointed head he set up the department of Multidisciplinary Engineering Education. Their remit is to deliver the practical engineering teaching for the Faculty of Engineering in The
Diamond. The 50 staff are changing the way that practical engineering education is delivered. In 2021, they were awarded a CATE award for collaboration from AdvanceHE.

He is also working on curriculum design and providing academic support for the AMRC Degree Level Apprentices.

For reasons unknown to even himself, he is also interested in various forms of committee work both within the University and for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, where he was Vice President and Chair of the
Qualifications and Membership Committee. He remains on their Academic Standards panel, accrediting engineering departments.

Research interests

Professor Beck's main research interests are in fluid mechanics, notably flow measurement, pipe networks, and leaks in pipes, and his work uses fluidic devices and numerous flow measurement techniques. Professor Beck also has interests in renewable energy, energy use, power production, refrigeration and heat exchange processes. His work is predominantly experimental, but uses CFD and analytical techniques.

He is also researching into waves in fluid pipeline systems. The original work which Professor Beck undertook as part of his PhD and post-doctoral work on the modelling of pressure waves in pipes is being expanded to cover the control and real time analysis of fluid pipeline networks. The signal analysis has led to a novel method of leak detection that works even in branched pipeline systems.

Part of Professor Beck's main research interests is that of fluid flow measurement. He has worked on various fluidic flow devices and is now engaged in projects to improve the accuracy and robustness of orifice plate flowmeters and to examine flow through and after fractal devices.

Professor Beck's teaching of thermodynamics and renewable energy has led to variety of energy based projects and publications on heat transfer, notably from radiators, and energy use in industry and buildings.

Publications

Books

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

  • Di Benedetti M, Garrard A & Beck SBM (2021) BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: MAINTAINING STUDENTS ACCESS TO FABRICATION AND TESTING DURING A PANDEMIC. Proceedings - SEFI 49th Annual Conference: Blended Learning in Engineering Education: Challenging, Enlightening - and Lasting? (pp 1382-1386) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Di Benedetti M, Garrard A & Beck SBM (2021) BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: MAINTAINING STUDENTS ACCESS TO FABRICATION AND TESTING DURING A PANDEMIC. Proceedings of the SEFI 49th Annual Conference: Blended Learning in Engineering Education: Challenging, Enlightening - and Lasting? (pp 1401-1405) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Johnson RC, Mayfield M & Beck SBM (2018) Battery energy storage for management of LV network operational violations : a multi-feeder analysis. Energy Procedia, Vol. 151 (pp 31-36). Sheffield, UK, 11 September 2018 - 12 September 2018. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Brocklebank I, Styring P & Beck S (2018) Heat mapping for district heating. Energy Procedia, Vol. 151 (pp 47-51), 11 September 2018 - 12 September 2018. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Alharbi H, Beck SBM & Collins RP (2018) Leak detection in a long pipe system. 13th International Conference on Pressure Surges, Vol. 1 (pp 187-200) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Butterfield JD, Meruane V, Collins RP, Meyers G & Beck SBM (2017) Application of least squares support vector machines and acoustic measurements for leak flow rate prediction. CCWI 2017 - 15th International Conference on Computing and Control for the Water Industry RIS download Bibtex download
  • Butterfield JD, Collins RP, Krynkin A & Beck SBM (2016) Experimental Investigation into the Influence of Backfill Types on the Vibro-acoustic Characteristics of Leaks in MDPE Pipe. Procedia Engineering, Vol. 186 (pp 311-318), 24 July 2016 - 28 July 2016. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Motazedi N & Beck SBM (2016) The use of the cross-correlation of two signals as a transient leak detection method. BHR Group - 12th International Conference on Pressure Surges (pp 581-594) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Butterfield JD, Collins RP & Beck SBM (2015) Feature extraction of leaks signals in plastic water distribution pipes using the wavelet transform. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE), Vol. 13-2015 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Butterfield JD, Collins RP & Beck SBM (2015) Feature Extraction of Leaks Signals in Plastic Water Distribution Pipes Using the Wavelet Transform. Volume 13: Vibration, Acoustics and Wave Propagation, 13 November 2015 - 19 November 2015. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Butterfield JD, Beck SBM, Collins RP & Creusere CD (2015) IMPROVING LEAK LOCATION ACCURACY BY OPTIMISING THE TIME DELAY MEASUREMENT OF ACOUSTIC EMISSION FROM LEAKS IN MOPE PIPE. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 22ND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON SOUND AND VIBRATION RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tayefi P, Beck SBM & Tomlinson RA (2015) Fatigue Failure of Polyethylene Electrofusion Joints Subject to Contamination (pp 197-202) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Liu Y, Beck S, Nicolleau F & Majewski CE (2013) Controlled multi-scale turbulence through the use of Laser Sintered Sierpinski Pyramids. 24th International SFF Symposium - An Additive Manufacturing Conference, SFF 2013 (pp 869-878) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Braun M, Altan H & Beck S (2013) Using IBM SPSS statistics to identify predictors of electricity consumption in a UK supermarket. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol. 176 (pp 119-131) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hampson W, Collins RP, Beck SMB & Boxall JB (2013) Transient source localisation methodology and laboratory validation. 12th International Conference on Computing and Control for the Water Industry, Perugia, Italy. Perugia, Italy RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nicolleau FCGA, Beck SBM & Nowakowski AF (2012) Fractal orifices for flowmetering. ASME 2012 11th Biennial Conference on Engineering Systems Design and Analysis, ESDA 2012, Vol. 2 (pp 21-27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Collins R, Boxall J, Besner MC, Beck S & Karney B (2012) Intrusion modelling and the effect of ground water conditions. Water Distribution Systems Analysis 2010 - Proceedings of the 12th International Conference, WDSA 2010 (pp 585-594) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Collins S, Beck SBM & Boxall JB (2011) Intrusion into water distribution systems through leaks and orifices: Initial experimental results. 11th Computing and Control in the Water Industry 2011. Exeter RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hampson W, Boxall JB & Beck SBM (2011) GIS thematic mapping to identify persistent failures in water distribution networks. 11th Computing and Control in the Water Industry 2011. Exeter RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rossiter D, Beck S, Delbauve M, Hogg M & Priestman G (2010) Improving engagement and learning experience for students using lab-in-a-box concept. Engineering Education 2010: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers, EE 2010 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ghazali M, Beck SBM, Staszewski WJ, Shucksmith JD & Boxall JB (2010) Leakage Detection in Pipelines Using Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition. 5th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring. Sorrento RIS download Bibtex download
  • Salim SMM, Nicolleau FCGA, Beck SBM & Nowakowski AF (2010) EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TURBULENCE ACROSS THE FRACTAL ORIFICE PLATE. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASME 10TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING SYSTEMS DESIGN AND ANALYSIS, 2010, VOL 3 (pp 353-360) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abou El-Azm Aly A, Chong A, Nicolleau F & Beck S (2009) Experimental study of the pressure drop after fractal-shaped orifices in a Turbulent flow pipe. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, Vol. 40 (pp 194-197) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Taghvaei M, Beck SBM, Boxall JB, Seth A & Staszewski WJ (2008) Leak and feature detection in a water distribution network. BHR Group - Surge Analysis - System Design, Simulation, Monitoring and Control, 10th International Conference on Pressure Surges (pp 125-135) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Spalton T, Tomlinson RA, Garrard AE & Beck SBM (2008) Streaming Birefringence - A Step Forward. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS VI, Vol. 13-14 (pp 23-28) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chong CHA, Beck SBM & Nicolleau FCGA (2007) Experimental study of a fractal flowmeter in a pipe. NEW TRENDS IN FLUID MECHANICS RESEARCH (pp 456-458) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Al-Atabi M, Chin SB, Beck S & Luo XY (2007) Flow in idealised compliant human cystic duct models. NEW TRENDS IN FLUID MECHANICS RESEARCH (pp 610-613) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Darbyshire OR, Evans A, Wilson CW & Beck SBM (2006) CFD based analysis of burner fuel air mixing over a range of air inlet and fuel pre-heat temperatures for a siemens V94.3A gas turbine burner. Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo, Vol. 1 (pp 709-714) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Beck SBM, Foong J & Staszewski WJ (2006) Wavelet and cepstrum analyses of leaks in pipe networks. Progress in Industrial Mathematics at ECMI 2004, Vol. 8 (pp 559-563) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Taghvaei M, Beck SBM & Staszewski WJ (2005) Leak detection in pipeline with use of Cepstrum method. 16th International Conference on Pipeline Protection (pp 357-364) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ahmadi A, Beck SBM & Stanway R (2005) The swirling orifice plate: A flowmeter for all reasons. Proceedings of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fluids Engineering Division Summer Conference, Vol. 2 (pp 409-414) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Blakey SG & Beck SBM (2004) The effect of combined radiation and convection on hot dip galvanizing kettle wear. APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING, Vol. 24(8-9) (pp 1301-1319) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Garrard A, Beck S & Styring P (2004) Numerical model of a single phase, regenerative fuel cell. Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology - 2004 (pp 79-84) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Al-Shidhani I, Beck SBM & Staszewski WJ (2003) Leak monitoring in pipeline networks using wavelet analysis. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURES, PROCEEDINGS, Vol. 245-2 (pp 51-58) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Beck SBM, Wong CCD & Stanway R (2000) Pipe network identification through signal analysis techniques. 8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PRESSURE SURGES(39) (pp 547-556) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wang H, Beck SBM, Priestman GH & Boucher RF (1998) Pressure wave attenuation in two phase flow. Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wang H, Beck SBM, Priestman GH & Boucher RF (1998) Fluidic flow meter for downhole and other flow measurements. Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE RIS download Bibtex download
  • Beck S, Langston P, Ewan B, Messer P, Smyth R, Swithenbank J & Taylor A (1995) The UHX - A summary. 4TH UK NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEAT TRANSFER, Vol. 1995(2) (pp 473-477) RIS download Bibtex download
  • BECK SBM, BOUCHER RF & HAIDER H (1994) THE IN-LINE FLUIDIC HAMMER DEVICE. 1994 ICHEME RESEARCH EVENT, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 1169-1171) RIS download Bibtex download
  • BECK SBM, BOUCHER RF & HAIDER H (1994) MODELLING WATER HAMMER WITH TRANSMISSION LINE TECHNIQUES. 1994 ICHEME RESEARCH EVENT, VOLS 1 AND 2 (pp 1099-1101) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Beck SBM & Boucher RF (1991) Stability of vortex amplifier circuits with twin control pipes. Flucome '91 (pp 467-472) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Collins R, Butterfield JD, Meruane V, Meyers G & Beck S () CCWi2017: F150 'APPLICATION OF LEAST SQUARES SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES AND ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS FOR LEAK FLOW RATE PREDICTION' RIS download Bibtex download
  • Beck S, Lloyd M & Boxall JB () Trapping Pressure Surges Using Two Valves and Feedforward Control. 11th International Conference on Pressure Surges. Lisbon, Portugal, 24 October 2012 - 26 October 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Collins RC, Fox S, Beck S, Saul AJ & Boxall JB () Intrusion and leakage through cracks and slits in plastic (MDPE) pipes. 14th Water Distribution Systems Analysis Conference. Adelaide, Australia, 24 September 2012 - 27 September 2012. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hampson W, Collins R, Beck S & Boxall JB () Onset Detection of Transient Waves Using a Novel Experimental Data Set. 11th International Conference on Pressure Surges. Lisbon, Portugal, 24 October 2012 - 26 October 2012. RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

Research group

Twenty eight of his students have submitted or completed their PhDs and MPhils.

Recent graduates are:

  • Butterfield, JB, Deriving further information from the leak signal in water distribution pipes, 2018, STREAM DTC student
  • AlHarbi, H, Leak Detection approach in long pipelines systems, 2018, Kuwait Oil Corporation
  • Goonekeseera, AK, Performance Optimisation of Hot Water Cylinders, 2017 – KTP assocoiate
  • Braun, MR, Affect of Climate change on supermarkets, 2015, e-futures DTC student
  • Buckman, AH, Smart buildings for energy savings, 2016, e-futures DTC student
  • Tiyafi, P, Leakage in Plastic Pipes, 2015-, STREAM DTC student
  • Castleton, HF, Energy use in buildings, 2014, e-futures DTC student
Teaching interests

Professor Beck believes that lectures should be to entertain, signpost and inform in that order. As well as giving enthusiastic lectures, he is interested in novel ways of teaching, assessment and providing feedback. He has published papers on his use of podcasts to aid student induction, and (among other things) how he got students to write Haiku summaries of technical papers. He particularly enjoys teaching thermodynamics to first year students because he feels that the first and second laws hold the key to understanding the world and he wants every else to feel the same way.

Between 2008 and 2014 he was Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching for Engineering, and was thus in charge of Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Quality assurance and Enhancement for the Faculty. Arising from this was the idea for The Diamond.

He realised that there was a large amount of commonality in the laboratories (and indeed in other teaching), and by sharing space and equipment across departments, a far better student experience could be obtained. After a few pilot projects, the basic philosophy for The Diamond arose, and the Faculty now has one large, laboratory filled with multiples of equipment for each topic, and students from the entire faculty come to use them.

Teaching activities
  • AER192: Aerospace Matter Flow and Energy
  • AER282: Aerospace Fluids Engineering
  • MEC333: Integrated Design Skills