Dimensional Co-Ordination for Metric Structures

This paper is concerned with the explanation of the theory of metric dimensional co-ordination in so far as it relates to the structural framework of a building. It follows through the planning and design processes necessary to arrive at a point where either the structure itself can be built as a series of dimensionally co-ordinated components or if is capable of accommodating the maximum number of nonstructural components. The historical background to dimensional co-ordination is touched on, and the advantages to be gained to the construction industry by changing to metric by this means are given. The paper is intended to be an explanation of the work of Functional Group Panel No. 1 and the contents of the British Standards and other PD documents issued by the British Standards Institution on the subject of Dimensional Co-ordination in Buildings. The conclusion is reached that there is now sufficient information available to commence designs for new structural engineering works using the system of dimensional co-ordination.

P.B. Edwards