This feature concerns a small, but vital, detail that had not been properly thought through and which finally led to the downfall of two large blocks of flats. The lesson to be learnt is that, if a drawing is not clear, perhaps the mind of the designer may not have been clear either. G.T. Williams
The principal aim of the technical content of all our courses is to enable students to appreciate and understand the application of fundamental theory and principles to the design, construction and behaviour of engineering works. Professor G.S. Littlejohn
Mr C. T. Walker (Head, Architectural & Building Services, British Museum) My involvement with the project began at the end of 1984, when the Department of Oriental Antiquities was actively searching for suitable accommodation to display a very large proportion of its Japanese collection.
Three methods of taking the deformed geometry of a 1-dimensional beam element into consideration in a finite element analysis are discussed. The difference between the methods is in the expression used to derive the axial strain-nodal displacements relation of the element. One method uses the expression defining the axial strain at any point in the element. The other two methods are based on the average axial strain in the element. These methods, together with a finite element theory presented, are developed into a FORTRAN 77 program and then used to analyse an aluminium toggle tested elsewhere. The results of the analysis show that the methods based on the average strain are more efficient, as reasonably accurate results are obtained even when long finite elements are used. The approach allows use of total nodal displacements rather than increments of displacement. A.T. Salami and C.T. Morley
Adhesive bonding techniques may offer the steel fabrication industries an alternative to traditional mechanical fastening methods. Particular advantages may be obtained by utilising adhesives to strengthen existing fatigue-prone steel structures such as long-span bridges or offshore platforms. This paper considers the structural performances of welded and bonded transverse intermediate web stiffener details. It is demonstrated that bonded stiffeners offer superior fatigue resistance and can operate successfully under ultimate load conditions. D.M. Martin