A State-of-the-art Review of Computer Programs for the Detailed Design of Reinforced Concrete

We have mentioned in earlier issues the lapse of time there is between the copy for this column leaving our desk and its appearance in the Journal. It has been 3 months in the past, with the result that, from the time a correspondent writes his letter until the time he sees a reply to it from another reader, at least 6 months have gone by. Thanks to the cooperative attitude of our printers it is hoped that these intervals can be reduced to 2 and 4 months respectively; not quite up to Wimbledon standards of stroke and counter, but a great improvement which it is hoped you will find agreeable. Verulam

The GLADYS computer system was developed in the London office of Ove Arup and Partners. The various programs and their method of operation are described, with particular emphasis on user language aspects and data checking. The use of the system over a period of 2 years is also described and analysed. D.D. Croft

Some aspects of the design process, as applied to calculations for reinforced concrete structures, are considered. The benefits of an interactive system of design as a means of employing computers in this process are discussed and it is concluded that such a system requires only the use of a small computer. The DECIDE system, written specifically for small machines, is described briefly as an example of how design calculations for reinforced concrete may be written into an interactive system. A.W. Beeby