Issue 4

The paper is concerned with the Merrison rules method for the design ribs of plate and box girder webs. The rationale for the rules is outlined, and rib size as predicted by them is compared with rib size predicted from elastic, small deflection, plate theory. H.R. Milner

These papers provide a much needed review and rationalisation of foundation problems in what is essentially the house building industry. In this respect, I hope that they both obtain the circulation they deserve amongst those people who actually design and execute this type of work-who, in the majority of cases, are not members of the Institution. D.A. Cook

Mr. T. H. Nicholson: It is my pleasure to introduce the first part of the paper on behalf of Mr. Robertson and myself.

In 1835 Sir Marc lsambard Brunel tested his famous 7.5 m reinforced brickwork beam (Fig 1 ). The bricks were laid in 'cement' and reinforced with hoop iron in the lower courses. The beam failed under a central applied load of 12 t. Other tests followed in the next 3 years including General Pasley's, which established the need for a strong mortar for bond to the reinforcement. R.J.M. Sutherland

Do you recollect the abominable weather that brought the whole country to a near standstill at the turn of the year, or have the promises of Spring, referendums, and other apparently major events, swept them from your minds, so that, like us. you will be just as unprepared for it when a similar inclemency descends once again upon us all? We recall these events because they brought to us the misfortune of being snowbound on a journey, but the good fortune to find ourselves stranded in a pleasant country pub in the company of an eminent member of our Institution. Each weather forecast was given concentrated attention; between them, there were lengthy periods of somnolence and shorter periods of activity when we ventured out to take what exercise we could, but, having exhausted the weather as a subject for conversation, and having reached agreement, each with a few reservations, on how the country could and should be run, conversation turned to speculation on some aspects of structural engineering which we venture to think may be of interest. Verulam