The paper describes the design and construction of the new Horseferry Road Government Office block. It discusses the influence of the existing heavily constructed RC structures in determining the layout of the scheme; the design aims in the selection
of a building system and the development of the Ministry's BP Frame; the use of burster reinforcement at the ends of columns in lieu of lapping continuity column steel, together with a brief report on short column tests: the recommendation to use helical coils in preference to stirrups; the advantages of precasting individual components versus built-up frames. The general stability of industrial building systems is discussed with its limitations in strength arising from pin-ended connections, erection techniques and erection dangers. The basement is constructed with the use of precast waffles, and tests on their strength are described. Fire requirements and winter working precautions are briefly mentioned. The problem of differential settlement on a difficult site is described together with the methods used to reduce its effect.
H.E. Mills