Discussion on Bridge Rules, OK! Road, Rail and Ro-Ro Bridges to BS 5400 by A.C.G. Hayward and S.J. M

The abilities of graduates, not merely in drawing skills, is open to constant review, but is perhaps in sharper focus at Part 3 time. The publication of the viewpoint was thus extremely well timed when the minds of many senior engineers were probably more open than usual to the performance of their graduates taking the exam. Many, no doubt, support and advise these graduates in their preparations and, like myself, cannot resist reading the paper afterwards and setting aside a little time to think through some solutions. David Wardle

There are no standards or recommended procedures for the design of prestressed concrete pavements; thus design of this type of pavement presents unique opportunities and challenges. It also presents a great opportunity to use fundamentally based engineering design methodology rather than the relatively common empirical methods. It is to be anticipated that, as lifecycle costs assume greater importance in the selection of paving solutions, the structural durability of prestressed concrete pavements will make them a competitive alternative, particularly if operational delay caused by maintenance work is a major factor. This paper presents a synthesis of technology appropriate to the design of prestressed concrete pavements. All features of the design calculation are considered, from defining the loading conditions through calculation of both wheel load stresses and those caused by environmental factors, to selection of appropriate limiting stresses for the concrete. Since design is a creative procedure, and designers should be free to use their creative talents to the full, where appropriate, alternative procedures have been described leaving individuals to select the method most appropriate to their needs. A.F. Stock

Many firms are, or should be, looking at the question of whether or not they should carry on their practice through a partnership, or whether they should change to practising through a limited company. J.J. Ward