The design of steel structures

The design of Steel Structures is a task very often undertaken without a reasonably sufficient knowledge of the principles involved. A widespread distribution of pocket books containing data and tables, provided primarily as time-savers, has enabled the recipients to utilise a limited knowledge of the theory of structures without, unfortunately, exercising a rational limit to its application; and whilst there is in existence authoritative control over misdirected effort where such endangers haman life, there is no such control-except in competitive designing-over the waste material and effort expended in the manufacture of structures the design of which is inefficient. Hence it is very advisable that purchasers should take every precaution to secure expert service to meet their needs, and to remember that what at first sight appcars to be cheap may ultimately prove costly. Albert S. Spencer