Issue 12

In a previous open discussion at the Institution in January 1977 on the topic 'Towards a European Code for concrete - can concise Codes be compreshensible and comprehensive?', a wide range of opinion was expressed on the requirements for an ideal design Code. Re-reading the discussion leads me to the conclusion that, if as many views as possible are to be accommodated so that the Code can properly claim to be a consensus document, conciseness becomes almost an impossibility.

I am very conscious of the great honour that you have accorded me in installing me as President of the Institution of Structural Engineers for the year 79-80. Many distinguished men have preceded me in this office in the 71 years' history of the Institution and, if l cannot match the oratory of some of my recent predecessors, I shall at least try to keep any shortcoming as inconspicuous as possible. J.A. Derrington

The paper introduces a managing contractor’s approach to project management in the UK. Projects are broadly divided into two categories: -a building with its services, and -multidiscipline industrial projects J.W. Rogers

On the basis of 17 years of project management, principally in the fields of chemical engineering and property development, the author calls for a totally fresh look at the role of the client in the management of his own projects as the level of expenditure and complexity of multifunctional projects increases. D.J. Dickinson

On the basis of their recent experience, particularly with a very large contract for a chemical complex situated on the North African coast and currently nearing completion, the authors compare and contrast project management activity abroad with that at home. In so doing, the term 'construction' is taken in its widest context. C.J. Liddle and A.J. Wallace

There is a worldwide trend towards ever-increasing size and complexity of construction projects, placing greater demands on clients, consultants, and contractors alike. Working together, they make an outstanding contribution to the national wellbeing. A.C. Paterson

The elastic critical load of a plane frame is that at which the resistance offered by the frame to any random disturbance is nil. For this state the stiffness matrix corresponding to all possible disturbances is singular. The elements of this matrix are in terms of the physical properties of the members and the modified stability functions tabulated by Livesley and Chandler. The usual method adopted is one of trial and error. A load trial is chosen, the value of the stiffness of the frame is then calculated, and the critical load is that at which the stiffness of the structure vanishes. Several load trials must be made before the critical load is predicted. S. Z. Al-Sarraf

Barriers and regulation. In June 1979, Mr. J. D. Peacock questioned the need for vehicle barriers at internal boundaries of limited level difference in car parks, accompanying his letter with correspondence from DOE which left no doubt that that establishment considers that there is. Our speculation on the likely outcome of a joint submission to DOE under Section 67 of the Public Health Act drew from Mr. Turner (September 1979) the point to which Mr. Peacock now responds. He writes: I should like to thank Mr. Tanner who has made the point that local authorities have a tendency to apply regulations because they are 'written' but without knowing the reason for them, and sometimes, knowing the reason, will (despite considering the regulation to be unnecessary in the particular circumstances) still insist on compliance. Verulam