The contributions to this book derive from the Second Cardington Conference held in March 1996 and are based on experimental work carried out on the first test structure at the LBTF, and eight-storeyed steel-framed building. They examine the role of full-size building tests in the development of structural design methods, and give recommendations on improved construction practice and safety of a building's occupants in the event of fire and explosion. Projects are covered in the fields of construction, static loading, dynamic response and the effect of fire and explosion loading. In addition, there are papers describing the future programme and other planned structures.

This book forms the Proceedings of the International Seminar held by the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Building Research Establishment in Brighton in April 1993. It brings together contributions from 15 countries on recent innovations in building and construction. Developments in the design of structures, improvements in existing materials and the introduction of new materials have historically gone hand-in-hand. The limited range of materials available for construction at any one time dictates the practical range of structural form and performance. It follows that current design methods, materials and construction techniques may not be suitable to meet the demands of particular applications. The introduction of a new material, or new practice may move the performance of the construction away from that which is reasonably well understood in the existing population of structures. By so doing, it may also lead to behaviour which cannot be adequately predicted by the current design methods. Developments such as these therefore bring risks as well as benefits. Innovations required to meet the clients' needs can also have a profound effect on the built environment. It is i

This book includes examinations of the role of full-scale buildings in the development of structural design methods and recommendations on improved construction practice and safety of building occupants in the event of fire and explosion.