The use and behaviour of large diameter piles in London Clay Discussion on the paper by W. W. FRISCH

The relationship between the calculations which are carried out in structural design and the way in which the real structures behave under load is often not as close as is desirable. The effects of the walls and floors in building structures, for example, may have a considerable influence on the axial loads, shears and bending moments which the members of the frameworks sustain. A long span suspension bridge, however, is one of the 'purest' forms of civil engineering structures. The precise solutions of some of the problems which arise in its analysis are, therefore, particularly valuable and the opportunity of using electronic digital computers to obtain them holds a tremendous appeal. D. M. BROTTON N. W. WILLIAMSON and M. MILLAR

An interconnected two-way grillage of portal frames spanning 82 ft 6 in. with a height above foundation level of 35 ft was adopted for the main boiler room of a new heat generating station for a precinct heating scheme in Bristol. The framework was designed in reinforced concrete and had to sustain a loading of approximately 1000 tons. Derek Bond

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.