Discussion on Southampton International Airport Terminal by Mr J.A. Rushton

Dr D. J. Oehlers (University of Adelaide, Australia) I would like to congratulate the authors on an interesting paper and particularly Professor Swamy whose research in this area has provided the foundation for the application of this technique. I note that all the specimens had very thin plates of 1.5mm. Is this size plate used in practice, and would the authors suggest that thicker plates could be used? My own experience has shown that roughening the surfaces of very thin plates by sandblasting prior to gluing is very difficult as it leaves excessive deformations in the plate.

CDM Mr A. J. H. Davison has responded to Verulam S question regarding readers’ experience on the effectiveness of CDM. He writes from Arkley in Hertfordshire: Congratulations, Chartered Engineers, we are, yet again, lying on our backs with our legs in the air having our tummies tickled by bureaucrats. By this, of course, I mean the latest CDM Regulations. I feel compelled to write to your column after spending half a day, at no extra renumeration on an already cut fee, complying with the latest documentation known as the ‘risk assessments’ and telling a contractor what any competent contractor should already be perfectly aware of. Verulam

This paper outlines not only the development of the new tripledecker stand for Manchester United, on the north side of the stadium, but also the overall development that has taken place in the last 5 years in creating a stadium for the 21st century. The club's aim is to compete with the best in Europe both on and off the pitch. A major decision on behalf of the club was not to move away from its traditional location at Old Trafford into a new greenfield site, which many other clubs are currently considering, or have been successful in achieving without disruption and loss of support. Old Trafford has an additional advantage and is more fortunate than a lot of other club grounds in that it is not immediately surrounded by residential property, albeit other restrictions are imposed such as access roads and railway lines. G.E. Harris and D.M. Jones