Structural Optimisation with the Genetic Algorithm

Coping with high shear forces in concrete flat slabs In our issue for 15 October last, Bryan Bates commented on his experience in the use of rolled steel sections in the shearheads of a reinforced concrete slab required to have a completely flat soffit. Mr Bates described the proof testing that was considered necessary to ensure that the design would perform satisfactorily. Richard Baynes, of Peterborough, describes his experience of a similar situation: I noted with interest Mr Bates’ letter, as many years ago I was associated with a similar scheme, albeit in a junior capacity. Verulam

A number of authors describe one or both of the two possible approaches which may be used to derive the Saint-Venant torsional stiffness of a general structural section. For the purposes of this discussion, the stress function approach is used, but the principles may be applied just as easily to the alternative displacement formulation. A.G. Smyrell

Observed behaviour of viaducts and other multispan arch forms is combined with experimental results from historical sources to yield a view of how load is transmitted through such structures. An analytical scheme is proposed and an example considered. W.J. Harvey and F.W. Smith