The President 1974-75

By any standards bomb damage is a messy business. Even when considered by the structural engineer back in his office and away from the debris and the broken glass, it is untidy and presents problems that are far different from those entailed in the design of new works. Peter S. Rhodes

As reported in Institution Notes on page 322, the Council recently asked the Secretary of State for Energy to take action to solve a number of difficulties experienced by British engineers working on the design of North Sea installations. The disquiet felt by the Institution was set out in detail in an appendix to a letter to the Minister, the text of which is given below.

On 20 July last, under ref. BRA/1068/2, the DOE addressed the letter given below to local authorities, new town development corporations, etc. The letter contains an assessment of the BRE Report on the failure of roof beams at Sir John Cass's Foundation and Red Coat Church of England Secondary School, Stepney, and sets out a programme of action for inspection and assessment. Attached to the letter was an annex 'Suggestions for testing high alumina cement concrete' which is published on page 326.