the last quarter and are virtually back to those pertaining at the beginning of the year.
Because of the reduced activity in both the public and private sectors during 1974, which continued during the first half of this year, the increased interest shown in tendering for Government projects was maintained, as were the very competitive prices. Latterly, however, with increased general activity, the numbers of interested tenderers dropped slightly and consequently prices started to rise. This trend is likely to continue during 1976/77.
4.15
The Branch has, in addition, been responsible for the collation of statistical and cost advisory information relating to buildings and building materials and for providing advice to other departments on co-operative housing schemes and subvented building schemes.
4.16
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BRANCH
Government Structural Engineer:
LEE Hak-kim, B.Sc., M.Sc., C.Eng., F.I.Struct.E.
This Branch, under the control of the Government Structural Engineer, is responsible for the structural design of all projects undertaken by the Architectural Office. This includes maintenance work, the preparation of structural drawings, details and bending schedules for steel reinforcement, the supervision of reinforced concrete and structural steel works, and advice to other divisions of the Office on the structural feasibility of projects.
At the
4.17
The Branch is divided into five groups, each headed by a Senior Structural Engineer, which deal respectively with major works, Government housing projects, defence works, minor works and maintenance works. Latter part of the year, a sixth group, which is also headed by a Senior Structural Engineer, was created to deal solely with the new Military Works Programme. Each of these groups is staffed by structural engineers and assistant structural engineers with supporting technical staff.
4.18
During the year, the Branch completed the structural design of some 339 separate new buildings and supervised foundation and structural works at over 195 sites, including the sinking of over 7,120 precast and in-situ concrete piles and repair work due to damage caused by 8 landslides. The Branch also used over 56 hours of computer processing time at the Government Computer Centre for programme development and productive work.
4.19
Because recruitment was limited to the filling of essential posts only, many vacancies still exist. The Branch continued to work under strength, being approximately 27% and 29% below approved establishment in Professional/Assistant Professional Grade and technical grade respectively. To keep productivity at a desirable level, four structural consulting firms continued to be employed to carry out works for the Branch, while one structural consultant's commission was terminated after completion of all structural detail drawings of a project which was deferred on change of priority.
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