The Future and Selection of Structural Form

Hybrid structures We have received a letter signed jointly by Dr. D. D. Matthews, Chairman CSB/39 (concrete Code), and Mr B. A. Haseltine, Chairman CSB/33 (masonry Code): The January, February, May, June, and September 1980 issues of The Structural Engineer contained a running debate on the subject of the restraint of loadbearing masonry walls by precast concrete floors and the implications for the robustness of hybrid structures. We realise, from the correspondence to Verulam and from questions raised at other meetings, that this is a subject that is bothering many members of our profession. We thought, therefore, that it would be helpful if we gave our joint views on the subject. Verulam

The use of steel has been greatly influenced by the requirements for fire protection, design standards, and manufacturing processes. Concrete casing could be replaced by water filled fire protection of main columns. The departure from traditional RC construction would permit bigger modular plan clearances and lighter demountable construction. The construction of wide spans with either arch or dome construction, and the possibilities of single-layer shell type structures and their potential uses, are considered. R.G. Taylor

This paper indicates why new materials and new construction techniques are difficult to introduce into the building industry, and draws attention to the fact that loads are more effectively carried by tension than by compression. It concludes that gross deformation structures are bound to be developed in the future. Professor E. Happold