Verulam

The structural performance of four epoxy adhesives has been studied, when subjected to shear in three types of specimen: a steel-steel doublelap specimen, a concrete prism with scarfed joint, and a concrete beam with external steel plate rein forcement. Specimens have been tested under simple and sustained static load, and in fatigue. Cured between 20 °C and 80 °C, the shear strength of adhesion to steel was generally at least 13 N/mm to the power 2, provided that the steel was free from grease, and was not greatly affected by slight contamination with rust, dust or moisture, or by cycling 400 times between - 7 °C and + 35 °C. There was a marked difference in performance of the different adhesives after immersion in water for 8 weeks. A.R. Cusens and D.W. Smith

The paper describes the design and construction of the new bridge over the Thames at Runnymede next to the bridge designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Several different types of structure were investigated, and models were used to study the visual relationships with the older bridge. The new bridge consists of four frames of white concrete which were constructed in halves on the banks, slid into position, and joined together. W.J.R. Smyth, R. Benaim and D. H. Philpott

Mr. E. W. Bunn (F) (GLC): As a member of the CP 110 Code drafting committee, I felt that, in some respects, the conclusions reached in the paper could be said to reflect on the work of the committee. The paper concludes by saying that a Code should not be a repository for all the latest, most complex and fashionable methods of calculation. It should define the effort that is necessary and sufficient for the satisfactory design of normal structures. I fully support this view, and this is what we intended to do in CP 110. But drafting took place in the period after Ferrybridge, Ronan Point, and various other happenings, and therefore there was a tremendous insistence from the Official Inquiries set up, and from engineers in general, that there should be a more fundamental approach to design. This encouraged the adoption of the limit-state method and introduced the concept that the design method used should give as accurate a representation of actual behaviour as is practicable. This is all set out in section two of the Code as a statement of objectives and general recommendations, i.e. the philosophy of design.