Simplified Methods for Analysing Steel Strands

The design of free-standing masonry walls Mr A. Aiken of Glasgow writes concerning an anomaly he sees in the treatment of the stiffening effect of piers on free-standing walls in BS5628: Structural use of masonry: Part 1: 1978 (1985): Clause 36.5.3 states that the design moment of resistance across the bed joints is given by (fkX/Ym + gd) x Z where ‘Z is the section modulus, which may take into account any variation on the plan arrangement, e.g. . . . piers . . .’ Verulam

The purpose of this paper is to examine the work of structural engineers not from the technical, practical and commercial view, but from the more general considerations that relate to how their structures sit in the environment. Those who are involved in the design of buildings put most of their efforts into producing structural solutions that are strong, stable and stiff, that are easy to build, and that give ‘value for money’. Depending on the type of building and their relationship with the architect, engineers also get involved, to varying degrees, with the appearance of the objects they design. This is an important part of their work. It contributes to the integrity of the design, and brings great satisfaction to the engineer. Jane M. Wernick

Information Technology (IT) is one of those annoying but useful acronyms which covers both computing and communications. It has been used in the title of various projects in which the Construction Industry Computing Association (CICA) has been involved. D.H. Taffs