Total value of $73.50 million, were checked.
4.22
Wages climbed steadily during the year resulting in an overall increase of nearly 20% and there is no sign of levelling off. Material prices fluctuated slightly upwards over the first nine months but a drop in the last three months resulted in a net increase of only 2%.
4.23
Tender prices for the larger Government projects remained fairly steady but contractors' lack of interest in smaller projects caused prices for these to rise considerably. The overall rise in tender prices over the year was about 6%.
4.24
1977/78 promises to be a year of full employment for the building industry and although the 1973 boom conditions are not yet apparent, tender prices are expected to show a noticeable increase.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BRANCH
Government Structural Engineer:
LEE Hak-kim, B.Sc., M.Sc., C.Eng., F.I.Struct.E.
Chief Structural Engineer:
CHIU Chi-shing, B.Sc., M.Sc., C.Eng., M.I.Struct.E.
4.25
This Branch, under the overall control of the Government Structural Engineer, is responsible for the structural design of all projects undertaken by the Architectural Office. During the year under review, a post of Chief Structural Engineer was established to meet the reprovisioning works of Victoria Barracks and R.A.F. Kai Tak imposed by the Defence Costs Agreement 1976/83. The duties of the Branch include 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.
4.26
The Branch is divided into seven groups, each headed by a Senior Structural Engineer and staffed by Structural Engineers and Assistant Structural Engineers with supporting technical staff. Of these groups, three deal with major new works projects, one deals with Government Housing projects, one deals with defence works and minor works, one deals with the reprovisioning of Victoria Barracks and R.A.F. Kai Tak, and one deals with maintenance work and preventive measures arising from the landslide studies.
4.27
During the year, the Branch completed the structural design of some 252 separate new buildings and supervised foundation and structural works at 237 sites, including the sinking of 5,505 precast and in-situ concrete piles and repair works due to damage caused by 30 landslides.
The Branch also used over 145 hours of computer processing time at the Government Computer Centre for programme development and productive work.
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