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The Structural Engineer

Long-term creep deflections in 65 glued laminated (glulam) and solid timber beam specimens have been monitored under different environmental conditions over the past 8 years. The main variables were the ambient conditions, the size of section, the applied stress, surface coating, and type of timber. The creep behaviour of glulam in four real structures has also been monitored for up to 5 years. Results obtained from the 'laboratory'studies were used to develop a simple model for the prediction of creep. Comparisons with results from real structures give good support to the proposed model. Comparisons are also made with the provisions of Eurocode (EC) 5. H.M.S. Abdul-Wahab, G.D. Taylor, W.F. Price and D.J. Pope

The Structural Engineer

Structural engineers use their skills and expertise to ensure that structures or structural components are serviceable and durable in addition to possessing adequate strength and stability. A well-designed structure is, traditionally, considered to be one that meets these requirements in the most economically efficient manner, least cost being the measure of value for money. Recently, however, the term ‘value for money’ has been broadened to take cognisance of socio-economic and political benefits. Governments have realised that there is cost to unemployment and poverty and that there is a price to be paid for the economic empowerment of marginalised communities. Accordingly, value for money is now assessed in a revised context.

The Structural Engineer

Brittle fracture Colin Taylor provides further information, adding to Mr Bruder’s query and to Professor Michael Burdekin's response of 21 April 1998. He writes from Silwood Park, Ascot: A draft amendment to BS 5950: Part l containing a simplified version of the method from the forthcoming new version of BS 5400: Part 3 is now available from BSI under the reference 98/102164DC. The minimum service temperature is explicitly defined and it should be possible to use the tables (or formulae) for the vast majority of cases.