Structural engineering has long been a major component in the activities of the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Nottingham. Early work included research in support of the development of the CLASP system of school building, and cooperation with British Steel into the development of design rules for tubular joints has gone on for over 25 years. Structural analysis, a widely used undergraduate text (by Coates, Coutie & Kong), was written within the department, and a fourth edition is in preparation. Professor D.A. Nethercot
Attitude to design accuracy It comes naturally to a structural engineer to take a great deal of care in what can be considered to be the mathematical part of structural design, after the real engineering part of deciding on the form of the structure, where to place fixing moments, hinges, etc., has been completed. The mathematics used to be described as the perspiration after the inspiration of the real engineering although, in these days of computers, perhaps ‘eye strain’ should be substituted for ‘perspiration’. J.A. Baird
Incorporated Engineer Many experienced draughtsmen/technicians working in our industry may be unaware that they probably have sufficient qualifications and experience to apply to take the Institution’s .Associate-Membership examination, giving them Incorporated Engineer status. S. Williams and M. Pszenyczniak
In November 1990 the Fire Officer served a 60-day notice to close the Eagle Centre Market, Derby. In January 1991 Derby City Council selected the proposals submitted jointly by Conder Projects and CIN Properties acting on behalf of the British Coal Pension Fund for its refurbishment. B. Codd and S.H. White
The pretensioning technique for the manufacture of prestressed concrete has been in successful use throughout the world since its introduction in the early 1940s. Although the fist uses of pretensioning were slightly earlier, its development into the major factory-based technique took place in the last 50 years. H.P.J. Taylor
From time to time in the course of his career, a structural engineer may be called on to act as an expert witness in civil litigation or arbitration. In order to carry out this role in a professionally competent manner, it is important that certain basic principles of the legal system are understood. This article, brief though it is, sets out certain guidelines for the structural engineer as an expert witness, and particularly points out the pitfalls that beset those who are inexperienced in the workings of the legal system. P.J. Cole
The first published report on CPD, prepared by a joint working party of the Membership and Education & Examination Committees, appeared in the February 1986 issue of The Structural Engineer. At this time the Institution was among the leaders in the engineering profession in promoting CPD. M.G. Baker
With the advent of another prolonged spell of dry weather and a dramatic increase in insurance claims for damage to houses due to subsidence of the site on which they stand, together with increasing litigation against those involved in remedial underpinning, a polarisation of attitudes is occurring between the various groups concerned. On the one hand, insurers, faced with growing losses, are looking at ways whereby these may be reduced while, on the other, some professionals, nervous of their own position, are indulging in a conservative approach to remedial works. On the technical front this is leading to a division into two main camps - the ‘monitor and see’ v. the ‘total underpin now’. The writer, who has many years’ experience in this field, seeks to try to put the situation into perspective and to offer some suggestions which might help to resolve what is rapidly becoming an increasingly confused subject. D. Goodger