Model Analysis of a Bridge Abutment

A question of responsibility The problems of working in a team with other and independent professionals are ever with us; Mr. D. G. McBeth writes on the question of responsibility in such a situation: The majority of contracts upon which I am engaged are being run under the RIBA conditions of contract. I have long been concerned about the position of the structural engineer, in that we are not legally part of the contract. Although we may be mentioned in the bills (but even this is not necessarily the case) all reference to the 'engineer' in specifications is usually deleted in favour of the 'architect', who is, therefore, 'responsible' for approving concrete mix designs, checking steel fabrication drawings, trussed rafter workshop drawings, etc. Verulam

This paper is a summary of the law affecting structural engineers. It outlines the extent of the structural engineer's duties to his client and to third parties when advising, designing, supervising, and certifying. Copyright, property in plans and specifications, the special position of local authorities, and the structural engineer's responsibility for his partners and employees are reviewed. Recent developments in the law are emphasised, and the underlying trends discussed, including relevant aspects of the Misrepresentation Act 1967, the Defective Premises Act 1972, and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. The paper states the law as at August 1978. Christopher Lewsley

Fortunately, we are still living in an era in which timber, that is to say sawn timber, is readily available as a structural material and, over the years, continued research, backed by traditional experience, has allowed it to be used with increasing confidence and efficiency in a wide range of structures. Techniques of stress grading, based on visual inspection and on non-destructive testing, are available to enable the timber used to be adequately controlled as regards strength. More recently, a new generation of timber-based products, involving some manufacturing or processing, is being presented for evaluation and use as a structural material. These products may or may not possess properties that reflect those of timber, and their evaluation does present problems. J.W.W. Morgan