The wind-moment method (which has a long history of use) is explained as a branch of semi-continuous plastic design. By avoiding elaborate rigid connections, the method makes a substantial contribution to reducing the cost of unbraced frames. This is despite the relative flexibility of the joints, which influences lateral deflection and frame stability. Ways to account for this are suggested. The joints must, above all, be ductile, and the role of stundardised connections in meeting this requirement, and others, is described. It is concluded that the method, now more than ever, is appropriate for design of unbraced frames. A.F. Hughes, N.D. Brown and Professor D. Anderson
The Ministry of Defence at Aldershot is to develop a new training facility at Aldershot Military town. The project will provide a facility consisting of a 50m swimming pool with changing accommodation together with a two-unit physical recreational training centre, six squash courts and pedestrian and vehicular access and parking. Adrian Baker
My firm, John Ernest Gay Associates, is a medium sized firm of consulting civil and structural engineers dealing, in the main, with defects in buildings and producing reports for building societies, insurance companies, and the law recently purchased a package consisting of a web site and five e-mail addresses and downloaded Pegasus Mail. John Gay
Designed by the eminent French engineer Ferdinand Amodin, the Newport Transporter Bridge was closed in 1985 owing to concerns regarding its condition and safety. Despite its grade II* listed building status, it was not until 6 years later that funds were obtained to enable a comprehensive programme of refurbishment to be undertaken. Before repairs could be formulated, a detailed structural survey of every component of the bridge was carried out, and the data were used to investigate the behaviour of the bridge and its likely response to the proposed sequence of remedial works. This paper reviews what is believed would have been Arnodin's understanding of the bridge’s behaviour; and compares this with what can be deduced from contemporary analytical techniques and the current geometry of the structure. It describes the techniques used to carry out the repairs and summarises the procedures by which the replacement cable profiles and loads were determined. R.J. Lark, B.R. Mawson and A.K. Smith
The status of engineers David Doran has written from London E11: In the continuing debate on the status of engineers, one thing occurs to me. Recent times have seen the growth of a number of specialisms (or subdisciplines) which have, my opinion, eroded the central role of the engineer. These include: - quantity surveying, - quality assurance, - value engineering, - risk management, - durabilty auditing, - project management.