This is the last editorial that I will write as chair of the Editorial Advisory Panel as I have come to the end of my term in office. As from November Rob Smith of Arup will take over. I wish him every success. The last three years have been made both relatively easy and enjoyable for me because of the support from the members of the panel and the excellent support from the publisher, Thomas Telford, who ensure that the high standards of the journal are maintained. The other people who are responsible for maintaining the standards of the journal are of course the authors and the reviewers, and I would like to thank both groups for their continued support.
This issue is rather unusual in that we are republishing a paper and the discussion that appeared in the Proceedings just over 50 years ago, ‘The stability of tall buildings’ by R. H. Wood. This paper was chosen by the panel as it was considered to be a ‘landmark’ paper. While I was aware of the importance of this paper it was really brought home to me by the commentary written by Charles King. I was fortunate to know and work with Randal Wood and I found him both an inspiration and a gentleman, keen to encourage me in my research efforts as I started out on my career. One further observation about the paper is the extensive discussion which it elicited, which also contains much of importance. It is one of the panel's concerns that we now get so little discussion of published papers.
The panel is also keen to make more use of special issues dedicated to one subject and edited by an acknowledged expert in that area. This is an opportunity to bring to the readers' attention the ‘state of the art’ in that area. The August special issue on structural risk, which was published in conjunction with the Institution of Structural Engineers, and edited by Professor David Blockley, is an excellent example of the use of special issues (vol. 161, no. 4). I am sure that this issue will be much referred to in the future. Special issues in the pipeline include ‘impact on concrete and masonry structures’, ‘wind engineering’ (in conjunction with the Wind Engineering Society) and ‘advanced composites in construction’ (view the calls for papers at www.structuresandbuildings.com). The panel is always open to suggestions for special issues.
In conclusion I would like again to thank everyone concerned with the journal for their support while I have served as chair of the Editorial Advisory Panel and wish the panel and the journal continued success.
