Journals >> Abstract VOLUME 12. No. 1(April 1999)
LETTERS TO THE EDITORTwist: (W.R. Lewis)
ARTICLES
Mathematical Skills and the Competence of Future Engineers: (Dr.D. Michael)
A Keynote Address to the ASEC 1998 Conference, which furthers the proposition that as we allow more diversity in the formation of engineers, different and attractive competences will become more available, to the overall benefit of engineers and engineering, and of the societies that they serve.
Some Current and Future Aspects of Design and Construction of Structural
Concrete for Earthquake Resistance: (R. Park)
Some current aspects and likely future trends in the use of structural concrete in buildings in earthquake prone regions are considered. These include the use of high strength cast-in-place concrete together with high strength steel reinforcement; the capacity design and ductile detailing approach for ensuring adequate post-elastic deformation capacity of frame and wall structures during major earthquakes; the use of precast concrete for floors, moment resisting frames and walls including tilt-up construction, and the seismic assessment and retrofitting if necessary of the majority of structures designed before about the mid I970s. Some aspects of design and construction practice in New Zealand are mentioned.
Strength Enhancement of Beams in Ductile Seismic Resistant Frames Due to Prestressed Conponents in Floor Slabs: (R. Fenwick, B. Davidson and R. Lau)
The use of prestressed precast floor components in ductile frame structures can in some situations result in a considerable enhancement in the strength of the beams, which in turn can result in a very considerable increase in the bending moments that are imposed on the columns. If these actions are under-assessed it is possible that in a major earthquake the chosen ductile beam sway mode may be replaced by a non-ductile column sway mechanism, leading to a premature collapse. Here, the influence that pretensioned precast floor units may have on the strength of adjacent beams is considered. It is shown that strength enhancement may be very much greater than that which might be anticipated from current design practice.
Towards Better Joints – The Parapet and Kerb Treatment: (K.Rassalski)
Bridge deck joints continue to be a problem with regard to their performance and service life. The paper gives a brief background to the problem and highlights the importance of detailing and workmanship. Particular attention is given to the parapet and kerb details as the prime causes of under-performance. It is generally recognised that marked improvement can be achieved by adopting enhanced joint details and more stringent installation procedures.
Shrinkage of Auckland North Shore Clays: (C.R. Francis)
A simple inexpensive test method was devised as a criterion for expansive soils in residential work, where there is consumer resistance to all but the cheapest of tests. Expansive soils are those excluded from the category of “Good Ground” of NZS 3604-1990 cl.1.2.9, 2nd printing, or the NZ Building Code Handbook, in “Definitions” on page 38.
PROJECT REPORTS
The Force Entertainment Centre: (M. Feeney and C.R. Baunton)
The Force Entertainment Centre is a cinema and entertainment complex located adjacent to the intersection of Queen St.and Wellesley St., Auckland. The restrictions imposed by the site and also the varied functions to be accommodated within the centre have required the structural designers to adopt a variety of structural systems to achieve an effective and economical structure.
ARTICLES FOR DISCUSSION
Is Anybody Home: (E.J. Forrest)
A provocative article about where the profession is heading, the use of computer-only design, and a questioning of the basis for assesssing the period of vibration of a building.
Definition of a Professional Engineer: (D.S.Mackenzie)
An encyclopedia resume of the qualities of a good professional engineer.
STANDARDS NEW ZEALAND REPORT
Standards for Structural Engineers: (I. Brewer)
A statement about the shift in SNZ’s business and management philosophy, with its re-branding and its instant payment Web site for buying Standards documentation on-line. Following this are brief descriptions of the state of various engineering Standards, and harmonisation with overseas Standards.
SEMINAR AND CONFERENCE REPORTS
6th ASCCS-2000 Conference – To be held Los Angeles, March 22-24, 2000
Futureactive Conference, Takapuna, Auckland, Nov.8th, 1998
IPENZ Technical Conference, To be held Auckland, 11th-13th July, 1999
Joint SESoc/IPENZ/I.Struct.E. Committee Report
NEWS FROM THE REGIONAL STRUCTURAL GROUPS
News of Meetings and Visits from the Auckland (G. Chester), Wellington (A.Park), and Christchurch (L. Cotter).