LET a pin joint be inserted in a cantinuous beam at some point A and a unit bending moment be applied to the ends of the beam on either side of the pin, producing a difference of slope รจ radians between the ends of the beam at A and a transverse deflection y at some other point B (Fig. 1). Leslie Gordon
ALTHOUGH soil mechanics is not a new science, it is in comparatively recent years only that highway engineers have appreciated the vital effect of the underlying soil on the superimposed structure. This effect was first brought impressively to the notice of the writer during the last war. After returning from active service, the writer was put in charge of the constructional works of what was probably the largest military camp in the British Isles. After a severe frost of considerable duration in the winter of 1917, enormous damage was caused by frost heave to the existing roads and to road-beds excavated to receive metalling. The ground, clay and chalk, literally boiled when the thaw came with great suddenness. Nevertheless, in view of the extreme urgency of the work, construction had to go on, and it became a crucial matter of overcoming natural conditions with a minimum of time and available materials. H.E. Brooke-Bradley
MR. GOWER B.R. PIMM, M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Struct.E., F.G.S., who, at the Annual General Meeting of the Institution of Structural Engineers, held on the 18th May, was elected President for the Session 1944-1945, was born at Weston-super-Mare in 1884. He was educated at Hele’s School and University College, Exeter, and was then articled to the late Mr. W.D. Harding, A.M.Inst.C.E., Surveyor to the Exmouth Urban District Council. On the completion of his articles he became Assistant Surveyor and Water Engineer, under Mr. Harding’s successor, Mr. S. Hutton, M.Inst.M. & Cy.E., who was until recently City Engineer and Architect of Wakefield. Mr. Pimm’s early experience in a growing seaside town included the new Main Drainage Scheme of the District, new Waterworks, Sea Defence Works, and two Parliamentary Bills.