With the regulations now more than three years old, it is the view of those administering the regulations (i.e. HSE), that generally, designers have taken their duties seriously and have been most diligent in identifying the hazards associated with their designs. However, they have been less diligent in taking the issues forward and amending their designs to avoid the risk ie the first priority in the hierarchy of risk control: (1) avoid - alter the design; (2) combat at source - design in, details which reduce the risk ie provide lifting points for items which require lifting; (3) control the risk - provide protective measures i.e. introduce measures to protect the entire work force. The use of personal protective equipment should only be used as a last resort. CDM Task Group
Precast beams acting compositely with in situ concrete deckslabs are a popular form of bridge construction. In the last 40 years, the use of this form has been extended to constructing multispan bridges on a span-by-span basis with movement joints at each support. Such joints have not performed satisfactorily because the penetration of road salts through them causes corrosion damage in these constricted areas of the bridge. Several methods of eliminating such joints have been evolved during the last 30 years; these are briefly described here. The deckslab continuity method, evolved by the author; is then presented. Its concept, design and applications are described with a view to engineers extracting maximum advantage from this powequl, yet simple, method of achieving continuity in multispan bridges. It is also shown that this method generally results in large economies as compared with the other methods and some savings even as compared with the undesirable 'jointed' span-by-span construction. A. Kumar
Jonathan Porritt has a long track record of posing challenging questions about environmental degredation and how future resources are used, and this occasion was no exception. His lively presentation was a mix of sobering fact, wry humour, passion, and even anger which stirred, provoked and perhaps even educated his audience. Kathy Stansfield
According to Professor Peter Bartos, director of the Advanced Concrete & Masonry Centre at the University of Paisley, Self-compacting concrete (SCC) does away with problems of poor compaction, which can mean difficult and costly repairs. It also reduces environmental noise and problems of white-finger syndrome suffered by operators using vibrators. Kathy Stansfield
When completed in 1999, Guildhall East will consist of four office levels and three basements. The two lower basements will provide art and manuscript storage, while the upper basement, containing the remains of a recently discovered Roman amphitheatre will be fitted out as a museum.
No-one concerned with the building and design process can afford to be complacent about corrosion problems in steel-framed buildings. This is one of the conclusions of the long-awaited best practice guidance on Prevention and repair of corrosion in steel-framed structures, launched at a seminar in London recently. Kathy Stansfield
Working together to promote world-class standards of Safety, Efficiency and Excellence in Structural Engineering. This is the title and vision statement of the Strategic Plan for the Institution. Council approved the Plan at its meeting on Thursday 19 November 1998 after a lively debate. Clearly some parts of the Strategy will be controversial but a bland strategy would not be helpful in the future development of the Institution. Now the implementation debate begins! J.A. Hill
The Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton, in the heart of the Somerset countryside, is the focus of considerable construction activity. This is the result of a Defence Review which will see the closure of HMS Osprey at Portland and the transfer of the Lynx helicopter base from the Royal Naval Air Station. It goes under the acronym MOVIT (Move from HMS Osprey to Yeovilton Implementation Team).and involves the transfer of 800 people. Kathy Stansfield
Wind over Christmas Nick Cook has reverted to the daunting topic of BS6399 in all its subtleties. He writes from St. Albans: Your anonymous correspondent of 18 August VOL76 No. 16 is not quite the 'Looney' he fears, since both his points are very important and formed the subject of lengthy debate in the drafting committee. The answer on BSI committee composition is simple: the drafting committee B/525/1/2 was composed of 3 'wind engineers' that know the subject and 4 design engineers that have to apply the standard - 6 chartered. This was supervised by B/525/1 that comprised industry representatives, including one from this Institution.