Dr Allan
Dowson began his career in 1956, working for the British Precast Concrete
Federation at their laboratories located at the Cement and Concrete Association
at Wexham Springs, Stoke Poges. Among the research areas were the developments
of waterproof cements, freeze thaw testing, crazing of Cast Stone and
the development of the ISAT test method.
After
eight years, he was appointed as Head of Technical Research and Development
with Marshalls PLC, the largest producer of these products in the UK,
a position held for 36 years. During this time he was responsible for
all quality aspects of concrete products, the development of new products,
including the introduction of concrete block paving and vehicle over-run
flags and the technical advice given to all customers, both private and
commercial, for the complete range of the company's products. He specialised
in concrete block paving and paving flag design, construction and maintenance.
Throughout
this period he was involved with several national working parties related
to concrete block paving and paving flags. He was President of the British
Precast Concrete Federation, Chairman of Interpave Main Committee and
Technical Committee, National Paving and Kerb Association and a member
of The Stone Federation Technical Committee, Concrete Society Technical
Executive Committee and Chairman of the Joint Concrete and Clay Industry
Committee.
Currently
a member of B507 Precast Concrete, Stone and Clay Products, Chairman of
B507/1 Precast concrete products, Chairman of B507/2 Natural Stone, Secretary
to B507/4 Slip/skid group and B507/5 Tactile paving. He is currently responsible
for writing standards on concrete block paving, concrete flags and natural
stone. He is recognised nationally and internationally as the UK expert
on European Committees CEN 178 (main committee), CEN 178/WG1 Concrete
products, TC 178/WG2 Natural Stone, TC 178/WG4 Slip/Skid Group and is
the Chairman of TC178/WG5 -Tactile paving committee. He was a member of
TC 229/WG3/TG4 Linear Drainage and the European Standards committee for
Pigments.
He was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy , at Newcastle University,
researching construction methods and laying course and jointing sands
for use in block paving construction.
In September
2001, he established 'Allan Dowson Consulting' to provide a service to
producers and users in all aspects of design, construction and maintenance
of precast, clay and natural stone pavements. He is also a Consultant
to Interpave and a Visiting Industrial Lecturer at the University of Leeds,
where he lectures on concrete block paving to MSc students.
He has
presented over forty five papers at different international conferences,
covering mix design, construction methods, materials and product standards,
pigmentation, development of urban areas, designing for the disabled,
bedding sand quality, maintenance to slid skid properties.
He is
a member of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses.
Currently
a Consultant to the Concrete and Stone Industry, involved in site investigations,
product development, organising workshops and training programmes, mix
designs as well as pavement design.