Discussion on Fatigue and Corrosion Problems of Offshore Structures by H.P.J. Taylor, J.V. Sharp. A.

Dr. Gunaratnam has undertaken a useful service for designers in comparing curvature and deflection calculated according to CP 110 Appendix A with the values obtained by simpler methods. However, his statement that the latter ‘lead to an underestimation of the curvature in all cases’ is startling for, if I have understood him correctly, he is saying that, by taking account of the stiffening effect of the concrete in tension, the calculated curvature is actually increased ! E.W. Bennett

Insurance and underpinning Both Mr. Bratchell and Mr. A. J. 0. Russell have expressed views on this issue, first raised by Mr. Collett (January 1979) and commented on by Mr. Park (May l979). From Mr. Bratchell: I suggest that the question of insurance of house foundations should be related to a reasonable expectation of life of the building. If a domestic house is expected to be designed and built for a life of, say, 50 years, one can hardly claim for foundation renewal at, say, 60 years. It ought to be possible to lay down guidelines which take account of expected life, and thus to allocate costs between repair and betterment. In my view, the need for underpinning should be covered by insurance only if it relates to a cause other than deterioration from age. Verulam

The preparation of the revised design rules for steel bridges is now in its final stages. The new standard incorporates the fruits of the research that has taken place since the establishment of the Merrison Committee some 7 years ago. J.E. Harding and R.E. Hobbs