The Construction of an Extension to a Factory at Silvertown Discussion on Mr. F.G. Etches' Paper

The development of satisfactory design rules for beams of slender proportions, which are prone to lateral instability, has taken place gradually since the introduction of the first rolled sections, over a century ago. Until the presentation of rational data in the recently revised B.S. Code of Practice for the "Structural Use of Steel in Buildings", design formulae have been of an empirical nature. These were based on the conception that lateral buckling was entirely due to collapse of the compression flange of a beam, as a strut under variable end load. In consequence the formdlae gave estimates of load carrying capacity which were often considerably in error, as a result of neglecting the torsional stiffness of the member.' The new design rules are based on the mathematical theory of stability and will give reasonable estimates of the limiting stresses in beams whose slenderness ratios exceed a certain minimum value, in the same way that the Euler formula proves satisfactory in calculating the critical stresses in slender struts. A.R. Flint

THE CHAIRMAN (Mr. Walter C. Andrews, O.B.E., M.I.C.E., Vice-president), introducing Dr. Hendry, referred to his earlier paper on “An Investigation of the Stress Distribution in Steel Portal Frame Knees,” in 1947, for which he was awarded the Sessional Medal and Research Prize From that and his other contributions, listed in the papers now before the meeting, it seemed that Dr. Hendry had made a “corner” in portal frame knees and allied matters.

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.