Correspondence on Evaluation by Proof Testing of a T-Beam Bridge Without Drawings by Dr. B. Bakht an

Mr D. K. Doran (F) It has been my privilege for the past 7 years to chair the two Institution task groups working on this topic. One of the benefits of being Chairman is that one does not have to do too much work. What cannot be delegated, of course, is responsibility, and I accept that. Tonight I should like to pay public tribute to the hard work of the two task groups which have valiantly laboured to produce these reports, and in particular tonight’s speakers for putting together, in fairly short order, our papers for this evening. Mr. D.K. Doran

The Chairman What has been done with the building now that Expo has finished? I understood, at the beginning, thathe buildings were to be folded up and taken away and used elsewhere. What is the current situation?

This paper considers where over-design may exist in current engineering practice and, in particulal; traces the history of imposed load allowances and the relevance of current values, as designated in the current British Standard, to today’s commercial ofice buildings. Independent research into actual loading conditions is considered and compared with the normally adopted values of imposed loads. Anomalies with other western European countries are noted, and areas where a review of the current relevant British Standards may be appropriate are identfied. J.A. Austin