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Construction – has it really changed?
Most of my time with RPS Consultancy has been spent analysing existing historic dock structures. I have been working on a design and build project to construct new infrastructure for the Royal Navy’s new frigates in Glasgow. In order to make alterations to the dock structure it is necessary to understand how the existing structure works. As a result, I have spent a great deal of time trawling through old literature sourcing information.
Recently, I found the following photos of the construction of a dry dock in Scotstoun in 1903. It occurred to me that, whilst there is no hi-viz and no fall protection, very little has changed in the world of construction.
Coincidently, my principal take-away from this analysis is that modern design codes are overly conservative. According to Eurocodes these docks should not be standing.
Dry Dock 1 – 1903
Dry Dock 1 – 1903
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