Eccentrically Loaded Rivet Groups

THE Chairman, Mr. Martyn Noel Ridley, M.Inst. C.E., suggested that the author should give a short synopsis of his paper, indicating the line which he wished the discussion to take.

BEFORE opening the steel section of the discussion, I should like to say that I hold no brief for any one water-tight section. To my mind a structural engineer should be able and free to design and construct in any material, according to its suitability for the work in hand. A.J. Hodgkinson

ABOUT three months ago I was rash enough to allow my name to go forward as the chief advocate of reinforced concrete in this discussion, but I felt quite safe because I knew that I had got the better end of the stick. The advantages of reinforced concrete are so obvious, and the disadvantages of structural steel so patent that I have really very little to do, whereas, thought I, my friend, Mr. Hodgkinson has let himself in for a pretty tough job. Anyhow, when I found that there was only a week or so to go, I sat down to make out my case, and as I did so, I realised that even the best of cases must be carefully thought out beforehand. I realised that there would be men present, who, like most men born of woman, would not be entirely given to logical reasoning. Furthermore, I realised that many a righteous cause has been lost because it relied too much upon reason, and did not take into account the impressionable and illogical side of man’s nature. N.B. Liversedge