Discussion on The Design and Construction of Kwai Chung Incinerator , Hong Kong by R.C.T. Ho, D. M.

Mr R. J. Ashby: I have for some time been Chairman of the Joint Committee that deals with the Higher National Diploma and Higher National Certificate in civil engineering. I have also been Chairman of the London and Home Counties Advisory Council Committee for Civil Engineering; this is the body that reviews applications from colleges to run courses, and we have to ensure that there is no overlap and that demand is sufficient. I have also been Chairman of Committee B4.

‘What Manchester does today. . . ’ Readers will realise that the contribution that follows was not written by a Londoner. Naturally, it comes from someone in the Manchester area-in fact, from Mr E. H. F. Taylor who gave a splendid Chairman's Address to the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the Institution on 16 October 1980. Regrettably, we have had to shorten it: ‘What Manchester does today, London does tomorrow’ is a quotation engraved at birth on the hearts of all Mancunians, or at least, I think, on the hearts of my contemporary Mancunians. Who said it? Is it true? Was it ever true? Is it wishful thinking? Some time ago I decided to investigate. Verulam

The design of a large-scale hospital structure which was directed towards rapid systems of construction is discussed. Rationalisation of the building is emphasised. A reinforced concrete flat plate structure provided a lowcost solution with a speed of erection comparable with all-precast systems. It incorporated precast storey-height, pin-ended columns; prefabricated slab reinforcement; and diamond-cored holes for services. Structural steel shearheads were used for shear reinforcement; their design and the results of two full-scale load tests for the corner column case, are summarised. J.G. Roddick and F.C. Smith