The 'Bookend' Effect

Author: Richardson, C;Messenger, A G

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The 'Bookend' Effect

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Author
Richardson, C;Messenger, A G
Date published
N/A
Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

The Structural Engineer
Author

Richardson, C;Messenger, A G

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 78, Issue 13, 2000

Date published

N/A

Author

Richardson, C;Messenger, A G

Citation

The Structural Engineer, Volume 78, Issue 13, 2000

Price

Standard: £10 + VAT
Members/Subscribers: Free

This paper describes the progressive longitudinal distortion of certain Georgian and Victorian straight terraces (known as the ‘bookend’ effect) caused by cyclical expansion and contraction of their continuous façades. Four specific case-studies are given, covering the range of purpose-built and converted terraces at risk from the bookend effect. The results of 2 years’ continuous movement monitoring of a long terrace with electrolevels is given, revealing complex diurnal and seasonal movement, estimated to range from 1428mm. The operational difficulties of electrolevels and the
validation of their output is described. A poor prognosis for the future life of old terraces is ventured. Remedies and palliatives are suggested, without which such end-of-terrace properties will inevitably collapse, like failed bookends.

C. Richardson and A.G. Messenger

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Format:
PDF
Publisher:
The Institution of Structural Engineers

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Issue 13

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