Abstract In the new Report on the Structural Use of Aluminium, which will be published in the near future by the Institution and which will supersede the 1950 report, recommendations are given for arriving at safe stresses in the principal types of structural members. This paper summarises the background of knowledge that has led up to the clauses dealing with struts. The three basic modes of failure (column, torsional and local buckling) are studied, and simplified procedures are presented for application to some of the more standard shapes of section. J. B. Dwight
The large scale examination of structural safety has received an appreciable momentum since the end of the last war. During the course of such study, it was confirmed that according to the current convention a design can be made after a vigorous analysis based on well founded theories, yet the so called ‘ safety ’ of such a design is still an enigma ; and the ‘ safety ’ of its constituent members is neither uniform nor discernible. It is evident that the link between the analysis and the design, both of which are major components of design philosophy, is too weak. Hsuan-Loh Su
The reinforced concrete spiral staircase is being increasingly used nowadays, usually as an alternative to the external steel fire-escape, which can rarely be said to improve the appearance of a building. With skilful architectural treatment a spiral staircase can be a striking and attractive feature. D. E. Ryder
1. Prologue Textbooks on statics, even when intended for schoolboys, still seem to retain something of that air of formality andetachment associated with Victorian works on geometry. Forces are very disembodied and act either on infinitely small particles or on strictly rigid bodies. And this climate, I fear, still reflects, and is reflected in, the teaching of statics in schools. Sir Alfred Pugsley
Mr. J. A. DERRINGTON (Associate-Member) said that although the design of foundations for tall buildings had caused consulting engineers to think afresh, contractors’ engineers had not been inactive in designing and constructing plant which could be used for the installation of deep cylinder foundations, In particular, the type which could provide a shaft with an enlarged base at depths of 80 feet in London clay was noteworthy and he proposed to show a short colour film of this plant at work which he hoped would interest members.