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The Structural Engineer, Volume 58, Issue 7, 1980
Timber floor joists It is always gratifying tofind in our correspondence a reply to a problem,associated with a Code, coming from such an authoritative source as a representative of the responsible committee. It encourages us to believe that the column may be read more widely than we are sometimes inclined to believe and that it is, apparently, regarded as a useful vehicle for the dissemination of information and the clarification of misunderstandings. Mr J. G. Sunley, Chairman of the BSI CSB 32 (CP 112) committee, has responded thus to a seeming conflict between CP 112 and Building Regulations. He writes: In February you published a letter criticising the apparent conservatism of the Building Regulations Schedule 6 ‘Span tables for timber floor joists’. Your correspondent, Mr Redman, has kindly provided the CP 112 committee responsible for timber design stresses with copies of his calculations and we are now able to answer his letter. Verulam
A concrete with epoxide resin as the sole binder having a high compressive strength (150 MN/m2) and stiffness (40 GN/m2 at 70 °C) has been produced by a technique involving vacuum impregnation of a prepacked mould. Tests demonstrate satisfactory creep and fatigue performance. while vacuum impregnated epoxide resin concrete has been developed for the stator structure of superconducting turbogenerators, it is likely to be used in other applications, as it also has resistance to aggressive environments, impervious nature, low shrinkage, and electrical resistance. B.W. Staynes and J.S.H. Ross
Fig 1 shows a bar chart indicating the normal, classical design programme as given in the RIBA plan of works. This process is essentially linear, even though in practice it moves in progressive spirals within which decisions at one stage make it necessary to reconsider and refine decisions that were made earlier. The plan of work presumes a briefing stage (A and B), followed by the sketch plan stage which includes the town planning application at stage D. These are followed by working drawing stage which incorporates refinement of the design, sufficient detailing for quantities to be taken off, application for building regulations approval and, subsequently, the normal process of tendering, assessment of tenders, the placing of the contract and its execution. By and large subcontracts await appointment of the main contractor. I want to highlight three steps in particular that determine the time taken to get the design to tender stage.