The Global Critical Load Ratio Approach to Stability of Building Structures

Partners in technology (PIT) is a collaborative research, technology and development scheme, within the Department of the Environment’s Construction research programme; its objectives are to: (1) develop and advance current best practice (based on research in all aspects of construction, particularly in critical and emerging fields) and to make this available in authoritative documents, and (2) encourage the successful exploitation of new ideas in the construction sector to enhance competitiveness and sustainable development. It is somewhat different from other schemes in that its emphasis is on the needs of practitioners and clients. S.M. Doran

This paper describes the progress made so far in the development of a solid instrumented inclusion for use in measuring in-service stresses in concrete structures. The method is based on the stress-relief principle which measures relieved stresses around or adjacent to a discontinuity formed in a solid mass. M.J. Ryall

Mr R. J. Street (M) (Saipen UK) If you have to design the structure first and then you give it to a contractor or a range of contractors to design, how do you know they have the capability to design to the standard required, and how do you resolve any disputes that may arise later on design points?