Design of Doubly Reinforced Beams and Tests on Construction Joints. Discussion on the Paper by Mr. E

A SINGLY reinforced rectangular beam designed in accordance with the provisions of the cbde of practice for A 1:2:4 concrete with steel to B.S.S. No. 15 stressed to 20,000 lbs./in.2, has a value for Q (= MR/bd2) at working load of from 130 to 206, according to the quality of the concrete. If such a beam is tested to destruction the ultimate value of Q is unlikely to reach two and a half times the above values. R.H. Squire

Niamh McCloskey reflects on her personal experience of the challenging reality of returning to work after maternity leave, questioning whether workplaces truly support women in this transition and highlighting how, with the right support and recognition of the new perspectives and skills that motherhood can bring, we can retain mothers and allow them to thrive in underrepresented industries.

Steven McKerlie is troubled by longstanding underinvestment in maintenance of UK bridge assets and the implications of this for safety if weaknesses in past assessments that are still relied on are not acknowledged.