The Reconstruction of Temple Meads Station, Bristol

DURING recent years there has been an increasing tendency to examine in closer detail the methods applied to the design of structures, and to question, to some extent at least, the simple methods used in the past. Much experimental work has been carried out with the object of comparing the calculated stresses used in the design with the actual stresses to which the structure is finally subjected. Such measurements have indicated some considerable discrepancies, in spite of which, however, structures built under the old rules have withstood successfully the loads applied to them, the structures having been endowed with a sufficiency of strength. In the following paper an attempt is made to consider the extent to which refinements in the determination of design stresses can confer an economic benefit, in the use of the material, and to indicate methods by which refinements in calculation can be made. J.B.M. Hay

The PRESIDENT (Dr. Oscar Faber, O.B.E. M.Inst.C.E.) proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bridges for his excellent paper, and for the tremendous number of slides by which he had illustrated it. Mr. E. VICKERS (Associate Member) expressed his intense interest in the paper inasmuch as he had been associated throughout the greater part of his life with the type of work described therein.

Sir,-Might I suggest that the writer of the article on “Recent Progress in Bridge Design in Tanganyika Territory” submits the calculations for the live loading for the bridge shown in Figure 2, page 274, of your June issue?