G. Warehouse: the Resiting and Renovation of an Antique Timber Framed Building at St. Katherine's Do

Following Mr. Clarke's representation (September issue) of the views of an engineer acting for authority on the much discussed issue of the checking of designs, we are delighted to have received yet another from a local government officer. Verulam

The shear lag phenomenon in steel box girder bridges is studied by means of the finite element method of analysis. Some of the results of this study provided background for the preparation of the Merrison shear lag rules, and the rules are discussed in the light of these results. Suggestions are then made on how the rules could be simplified for inclusion in a Code of Practice. K.R. Moffatt and P.J. Dowling

History and its lessons Despite the interesting history of building control going back at least 800 years, I doubt whether it has much relevance in projecting the future. In this instance history merely explains evolution which has resulted in present-day procedure, but I do not think this understanding assists us in devising a system for the future.