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The paper reviews the application of the finite element method to the analysis of large‐deflection elasto‐plastic behaviour and traces the development of such a solution for plated structures. The accuracy of the approach is established by many comparisons with available solutions for isolated plates and conclusions are drawn on suitable idealizations for plated structures. The results of an analysis of a typical plate girder, allowing fully for the interaction between the component plates, are presented. Comparisons with experimentally measured values for the girder confirm the validity of the proposed approach for the study of the collapse modes of plated structures. The need for expensive experimentation is thereby reduced.

The Presidential Address to the Liverpool Engineering Society by Mr. Farthing (the salient points of which are reproduced in this issue) has particular bearing upon lubrication and especially on young lubrication engineers. Mr. Farthing stressed the very wide field open to young engineers and the difficulties associated with training in order to cover as wide a field as may be necessary. It is usually so important to gain a wide knowledge before one can specialise and this is certainly the case with lubrication engineers. One cannot begin to fully appreciate the intricacies of a lubrication system with all its accessory components lubricating and guarding, for example, a large motive power plant or rolling mill, until one has more than a mere working knowledge of the plant itself, the duties it must perform, how it performs them and the snags that arise which might be overcome by correct lubrication. In view of the fact that lubrication systems are just as important in a textile mill as in a power station or a large brick works, the almost impossible‐to‐achieve‐range of knowledge that would simplify the work of a lubrication engineer is very obvious. Fortunately, lubricating principles apply to most cases and knowing how to apply one's knowledge from basic principles is the key to success in this difficult profession.

Highlights some of the major conceptual and methodological issues involved in organisational buying behaviour. Aims to avoid pitfalls involved in the utilisation of research regarding specified issues — at the same time stimulating research aimed at the resolution of these issues. Reviews the current status of organisational buying behaviour, follows this by identifying five potential groups of users of information on organisational buying behaviour. Goes on to focus on the conceptual and methodological issues involved in organisational buying research. Suggests new research directions which, if implemented, could help advance the relevance and quality of organisational buying research. States that academic studies, directly concerned with a better understanding of organisational buying behaviour can be classified as falling into one of three areas the: buying centre (least studied area); organisational buying centre and process; or factors affecting the organisational buying centre and process. Purports that these three concepts can provide the basis for organising much of the diverse research efforts in organisational buying behaviour and goes on to illustrate findings from each of these areas and discusses them in depth.

IN the Douglas Super DC‐3 twin‐engined commercial transport, now being demonstrated throughout North and South America, may be seen an instructive example of what has come to be known in the aircraft industry as ‘bread‐and‐butter engineering’—the extension of the normal life‐span of a well‐tried design by rebuilding to modern operational and airworthiness standards. The ubiquitous DC‐3, from which the ‘super’ version is derived, has itself long been the bread‐and‐butter work‐horse of the air transport world, but its days are numbered under promulgated I.C.A.O. regulations which become operative in 1953. By rebuilding and modernizing the DC‐3 to international civil airworthiness standards, Douglas are out to show operators that the Super DC‐3 is the logical post‐war replacement in the twin‐engined short‐haul category.

‘Cebelcor’ (Centre Beige d'Etude de la Corrosion) is a non‐profit‐making association founded for the purpose of fighting corrosion by scientific, technical and educational means. It pursues this objective in collaboration with similar bodies in Belgium and abroad. A description of the organisation and workings of this corrosion research centre is given in this article, the sixth in our series describing corrosion research laboratories.

Provides a general guide to the process of appealing against assessments in the 1990 rating list. Describes the form and content of proposals, action by the valuation officer, the six‐month time‐limit, referencing, basis of measurement, inspection, the locality, rental evidence, lease analysis, rent adjustment, negotiation, and the valuation officer. Summarizes that while rental value forms the basis of rating valuation, the valuer′s tone will significantly affect the outcome.

THE advent of the modern jet‐type power plant for aviation has greatly accelerated the development of new high‐temperature ceramic materials. These power plants are essentially high‐temperature engines which convert heat energy into work. The greater the differential in temperature of the air between the beginning and end of the conversion, the greater the efficiency of the engine. Consequently, turbo‐jets, gas turbines, ram‐jets and rockets have created a demand for materials which will withstand elevated temperatures and vibration and possess good resistance to thermal shock. Ceramic materials seem to offer the best promise of providing these desirable characteristics.

REPRESENTING America's latest bid for the twin‐engined medium range civil transport world market—hitherto largely monopolized by the ubiquitous Douglas DC‐3 —the Consolidated‐Vultee 300 m.p.h., 40‐passenger, pressurized ‘Convair‐Liner’ is now making its debut in regular airline service. Three basic airline types are now on the production lines, differing mainly in the location and type of passenger‐loading facility and baggage compartments: thus type (a) has an integral stairway, with the door located on the right side, ahead of the wing; type (b) an. integral stairway, with the door located in the after belly of the fuselage; and type (c) the more conventional door arrangement located on the left side, aft of the wing. Executive versions are also being produced to meet individual customer preferences.

This bibliography contains references to papers, conference proceedings, theses and books dealing with finite strip, finite prism and finite layer analysis of structures, materially and/or geometrically linear or non‐linear.

In the UK, major IT public procurement projects regularly fail at significant cost to the taxpayer. The prevalence of these failures presents scholars with a challenge; to both understand their genesis and to facilitate learning and prevention. Functional approaches have revealed numerous determinants of failure ranging from procurement specifications to risk escalation, but true and definitive causes remain elusive. However, since failure is not itself an absolute truth, but rather a concept which is reached when support is withdrawn, the survival of a project depends on there being sufficient belief in its legitimacy. We use critical hermeneutic methods and the conceptual lens of legitimacy to reveal powerful legitimating influences that enable and constrain action, but which are not analysed in the retrospective government inquiries that determine lessons learned.