Structural Survey

Page, A.V.

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006305

During the early 'sixties trussed rafters were introduced from North America, where they had been widely and successfully used in conjunction with plywood sarking. The omission of such sarking in Britain left trussed rafter roofs without adequate bracing, and by the late 'sixties some problems were beginning to arise. Sometimes the trussed rafters viewed on plan gradually adopted an S shape, so that while the roof at the ridge and eaves remained in position, the rest of the roof moved longitudinally in opposite directions on either side of the ridge. In other cases where the strength of the gable walls was inadequate, the ridge line itself moved, with corresponding movement of the walls.

Lindley, Nigel C.

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006306

If one accepts that the development of a regional building type is a function of geology and knowhow then R. M. Brunskill's definition of the vernacular as the products of local craftsmen meeting simple functional requirements according to traditional plans and procedures and with the aid of local building materials and construction methods may be especially thought to apply to the evolution of the domestic scale buildings in East Yorkshire. The East Riding of Yorkshire or North Humberside as it ought to be called today illustrates how a relatively remote region, sparse in naturally occurring constructional material, has made use of geology and knowhow to create a unique style of vernacular building, and has done this by making extensive use of one particular material brick.

Mindel, Ivor

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006307

Introduction The concept of a property survey as understood in the UK has only recently emerged in the Israeli market. This was brought home to me on one of my earliest surveys, when I was commissioned by a prospective foreign purchaser to inspect a vacant twobedroomed apartment in Tel Aviv. I had arranged to meet the sellerowner and after a few pleasantries I made my customary familiarisation tour of the premises. Stepping out into the common hall to locate the meter cupboard, I heard the front door shut behind me and turned to find the owner locking up. When asked what she was doing, she replied, But you have finished, haven't you

Morley, John

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006308

Earth retaining and structural foundation works are commonly built from rolled steel piling products which are designed and manufactured to cover a wide range of structural applications. Product data must not only provide design and application information, but also steel corrosion rates in the full range of service environments and, in this context, the corrosion of steel piling has been extensively studied both from examinations of actual structures and from more fundamental studies. Corrosion researches cover both corrosionprotected and bare steel piling and, in order to appreciate fully the value of these researches, a simplified but adequate explanation of steel corrosion is given.

Catt, Richard

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006309

Many surveyors seem to have become cynical about the regular claims that more and more building materials, systems and conditions are now to be treated as dangerous or deleterious. For instance, this April an important conference on hazardous building materials had to be cancelled because of lack of response.

Wyles, Rhona

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006310

On 1st April, 1988, the National Housebuilding Council NHBC introduced its new improved tenyear scheme, the Buildmark, which gives ten years protection for new homes. The scheme has been simplified in both language and presentation to make it more understandable for the home buyer and builder. A new procedure has been introduced to reduce the paperwork for builders, purchasers and their respective solicitors or licensed conveyancers. Finally, the cover has been improved.

Curtin, W.G.

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006311

Brickwork has been around for some 4,000 years and its durability, strength and other good qualities are well known. It is a useful structural material but limited to applications where there is relatively high compressive vertical loading and relatively low horizontal loading. A brick wall can carry a high vertical load but it can be pushed over relatively easily. This is because brickwork, like concrete, is weak in tension. Its tensile strength in bending is less than five per cent of its compressive strength. Again, like concrete, it can either be reinforced with steel to carry the tensile stress or prestressed to eliminate the tension.

Ross, M.G.

1989 Structural Survey

doi: 10.1108/eb006312

The House of Lords has just taken a bulldozer to defective premises law in the shape of D. & F. Estates v Church Commissioners 1988 3 WLR 368, which will be published in the next issue of the Journal. The facts were reported fully in Structural Survey 63 when the Court of Appeal considered the case, but relate mainly to defective plastering carried out by subcontractors. The owners and occupiers of the premises unsuccessfully sued the main contractors for failing to supervise the subcontractors. This point was fairly narrow, but the House of Lords took the opportunity to declare its new views on building law generally. Textbook writers and practitioners, who have become accustomed to working with Anns v London Borough of Merlon 1978 AC 728 and its successors, will need to take considerable notice of the resulting picture.