Discussion on Redevelopment of Queen Anne's Mansions by G. K. Montgomery-Smith

The term 'permissible stress' used in CP 1 14 describes a number that is defined by that Code and that, when used in formulae specified therein, defines a limit to the recommended service load for the element under consideration. It does not purport to correspond to the actual stress expected to occur in the element when subjected to the deduced value of service load, and any detailed consideration of the means by which this number was selected should show that it cannot be expected to do so in a material as complex as reinforced concrete. A.J. Tanner

A compliment and a complaint Mr. J. N. Barber has this to say about the journal and about certain observations in the Annual Report (April 1979): As an outsider who is nevertheless fortunate enough to see The Structural Engineer regularly, may I assure you that the present format and content of your journal is far superior to the fare served up in other places. Verulam

In dealing with the development of science and technology, historians are interested in identifying original idea5 or concepts and their subsequent diffusion and elaboration as well as in biographical information on famous scientists and engineers. From Samuel Smiles to L T. C. Rolt the biographical tradition has been a popular and powerful influence on the history of technology. This approach has tended to produce history on the heroic scale with little emphasis on the development and interchange of ideas or the continuity of technological change. On the other hand, an economic historian might well view certain aspects of the Industrial Revolution without more than a mention of those engineers responsible for particular technological developments. For example, one could view the history of the steam engine in terms of the number of units produced, their geographical distribution and resulting influence on the expansion of the factory system. This paper, however, is concerned with the ideas and leading engineers behind the development of the modern suspension bridge. E.L. Kemp