Issue 5

The Bridge Code (BS 5400) is being prepared in ten Parts. Parts 1,2,4,7,and 8, dealing essentially with principles, loading, and concrete bridges, were published in June 1978. They have been followed by Part 5, Composite bridges (May 1979), which is the subject of this paper; Part 10, Fatigue, which includes fatigue of shear connectors is yet to be published. A brief account is given here of the drafting of Part 5, of the design studies and trial designs that have been done, and of its principal recommendations. Reference is made to its relationship with other Parts of the Code, to a Commentary on Part 5, and to the need to set up a procedure for recording experience of its use. R.P. Johnson

Mr. J. Bobrowski (F): Lightweight concrete is a wonderful material and, considering the amount of information already available, it is hard to believe how timber-or even dense concrete, for that matter-would have passed for use under the Building Regulations if either of them was discovered today.

In his opening address to the symposium held in the Bloomsbury Centre Hotel on 5 July 1978, the then President, Mr. Peter Dunican, emphasised its objectives, which were outlined in the foreword to the published papers. Unlike other recent symposia, the purpose of the papers was to promote discussion on the stability of low-rise buildings of hybrid construction and to determine whether structural engineers desired guidance from the Institution. The subject had been considered by the Structural Codes Advisory Committee and, at their request, by the Code Servicing Panel (Convener, Mr. L. R. Creasy), and a view was now sought whether such guidance should be provided or whether it would be more appropriate to keep the matter under review. Views were also being requested through a note in The Structural Engineer (see August 1978 issue, page 233). This note has been written by the Symposium Chairman, Dr. S. C. C. Bate (Hon. Treasurer). Bound sets of the papers may be obtained from the Institution, price £5 each set post-paid (remittance with order), and a transcript of the proceedings is available, on loan from the library, to members.

Use of underground space is increasing rapidly, and many young designers are becoming involved, for the first time, with subsurface tunnelled works. T.W. Hulme

No more complaints, at least for the time being, about the paucity of correspondence; this month has brought an abundance of interesting material, and we are filled with a great contentment. Long may it continue! Verulam

Verulam’s ruminations on ‘Loads and Codes‘ in the April issue of The Structural Engineer have elicited the following, immediate response from the President, Professor A. J. Harris, CBE: Verily, Verulam knoweth that of which he speaketh; he and his drinking companion are on to something. In vino veritas!