Review of Progress in Computer Uses for the Design of Structural Steelwork

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

John Derrington, BSc(Eng), DIC, FEng. FIStructE, FICE, FCIArb, succeeds Professor A. J. Harris as President of the Institution on 4 October next, and will give his Presidential Address 'The contractor's place' at an Ordinary Meeting 6.0 pm that evening at 11 Upper Belgrave St., London SWlX 8BH.