This paper examines in general and critical terms the standards required and achievable in the rehabilitation of old buildings in the context of present political and economic policies. It looks at the requirements of Statutory Regulations, in particular those concerned with fire protection, thermal and acoustic insulation, and illustrates some of the problems in achieving acceptable standards by examining the requirements for a possible new system of lightweight concrete flooring which might be of use in rehabilitation work. Geoffrey Spyer
Training and early experience of a structural engineer may sometimes be confined to teamwork on major works in order to derive maximum benefit from his acquisition of knowledge of engineering and scientific principles. This paper attempts to give advice that should help an engineer when first confronted with problems related to domestic conversions which are not dealt with in standard textbooks. In these circumstances improvisation, commonsense and a basic knowledge of building construction are more valuable than a depth of knowledge of sophisticated theorems. The paper intends to describe some legal implications in addition to advice on exploration of existing work and design and detailing of proposed alterations. R. Martin Silber
Every new building, especially in an urban situation, relates to older ones, as well as to its site and sub-soil. Recent buildings in Winchester designed as offices for the County of Hampshire, have successfully incorporated existing structures, gaining variety within themselves and acknowledging and 'stitching in with' the sensitive urban fabric of the City. The method of architectural analysis, and the structural solutions adopted in this exercise, may help to illustrate some of the essential problems and opportunities inherent in the work of marrying new and older buildings. Donald W. Insall
A distinction is drawn between the assessment of a building which shows evidence of inadequacy and one in which a change of use is intended. Matters are suggested which should be considered in an investigation and comment is offered on where load testing may be inappropriate. Attention is drawn to the distincfion between the design of a new building and the assessment for strength of an existing one and to the need to be satisfied on adequacy for purpose rather than to conformity Codes. Finally importance is placed on the need for engineering judgement to give due weight to significant but not readily quantified factors. D.F. Evans
The paper describes the construction of the former Queen Anne 's Mansions and outlines some of the legal encounters of its builder. A brief outline of the site investigation and its conclusions are given and the conditions around the boundary and how they were dealt with are described. The principles of the framing are explained and areas of particular complexity described. Extensive use was made of precast concrete for complex profiles and a brief description of some of the panels is given. A new technique for assembling stone panels is described together with details of the principle units embodying these techniques. G.K. Montgomery-Smith
This Guidance Note published by the authority of the Council of the Institution is one of the series published from time to time as a reminder of the standards of courtesy and responsibility which members are required to observe at all times. Guidance Notes Nos. l and 2 dealing with Informative Publicity and the General responsibility of members when called upon to check or appraise the work of another structural engineer, first published in August and September 1973 are repeated from time to time. They last appeared in The Structural Engineer, March 1977, pages 142-143.
In this paper the author describes the development of a scheme to provide additional exhibition space at the Science Museum, South Kensington, London. The initial brief is discussed and the factors affecting the final design are illustrated. The special relationship between the engineer and architect is emphasised and attention is drawn to the particular construction problems encountered in alteration and rehabilitation schemes. Ralph L. Mills
With the new format of The Structural Engineer now into its second month, Professor A. Bolton offers some apt comments on its contents and the criticisms that these should be more lively and readable. He writes: At the Extraordinary General Meeting views were expressed that The Structural Engineer should be made brighter from a journalistic point of view and that papers should be published which were of interest to all our members rather than to a few with research interests in that particular topic. Verulam