Discussion on Some modern Views on the Fatigue of Metals by H.J. Gough

While it should be stated, at the commencement, that no finality of agreed opinion has been reached on the causes of fatigue failure and phenomena it is significant to find that the trend of modern thought is to associate the failure of metals-whether under static or repeated loading-with the consequences, direct or indirect, of slip, i.e., the process of plastic deformation by shear on gliding surfaces. Attention was first drawn to this aspect of fatigue by the classical researches of Ewing and Humfrey, whose work indicated a line of attack which has been followed up by other investigators, and has resulted in the discovery of important facts. It is to be expected that these facts are not entirely consistent with the conclusions drawn by the earlier investigators from their own work in view of the more refincd experimental methods which have since been made available. The pioneer work of Ewing and Humfrey will never be forgotten, however. H.J. Gough

The progress of design, in architecture and engineering or in anything else, can only proceed by experiment, and the more logical the experiment the more rapid is this progress. Nor is it in the least necessary that these experiments should assume the form of actual building. It would be a poor compliment to men’s imagination if it must needs be assumed that we must build in order to experiment in design. One of the principal functions of pictorial representation is to promote the art of design by enabling us to visualise in plan, prospective or elevation such forms and patterns as the creative fancy may suggest. It is the peculiarity of reason that it not only curbs the creative fancy, bringing it within proper bounds, but it may also immensely stimulate this fancy. A. Trystan Edwards Starting with the aesthetic canon of “ punctuat

This month's letters include discussion on building control compliance forms, structural engineering ethics and more.