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The purpose of this paper is to present the design methods for fire-exposed concrete columns and walls. In addition, it presents analyses and tests showing that the methods are applicable for designing columns and walls of lightweight aggregate concrete based on expanded clay aggregate as well as heavy normal weight concrete and that the methods fit smoothly with cold design, when the fire exposure varies towards no fire.

During the 1990s, some of these design methods were included in the Eurocode as “the zone method”. They are still a part of the code. The rest of the methods, which were not included, served in practice, teaching and research. The present paper derives calculation methods proving their connection with common design for load cases without fire exposure. Furthermore, the paper presents full-scale tests proving the validation of the design methods for structural members of light aggregate concrete in addition to the full-scale tests of heavy concrete members.

The design methods give correct estimates of the load-bearing capacity of eccentric loaded concrete columns. An extended version of the methods estimates load-bearing capacity for walls with fire exposure on one side with sufficient accuracy for the purpose of design.

The author developed the main parts of the design methods in the 1980s and 1990s and others have from time to time referred to some parts of them mainly the minor parts published in the Eurocodes. However, owing to work overload, the author has not published the derivation and verification of them before. This paper provides in particular a verification against full-scale tests of light-aggregate concrete walls not published before.

Prefabricated extruded hollow-core slabs are preferred building components for floor structures in several countries. It is therefore important to be able to document the fire resistance of these slabs proving fulfilment of standard fire resistance requirements of 60 and 120 min found in most national building regulations. The paper aims to present a detailed analysis of the mechanisms responsible for the loss of load-bearing capacity of hollow-core slabs when exposed to fire.

Furthermore, it compares theoretical calculation and assessment according to the structural codes with data derived from a standard fire test and from a thorough examination of the comprehensive test documentation available on fire exposed hollow-core slabs.

Mechanisms for loss of load-bearing capacity are clarified, and evidence of the fire resistance is found.

For the first time, the mechanisms responsible for loss of load-bearing capacity are identified, and test results and calculation approach are for the first time applied in accordance with each other for assessment of fire resistance of the structure.

This study aims to analyze and discuss the key design assumptions needed for design of car parks in steel, to highlight the impact that the increased fire loads introduced by modern cars and changes in the fire dynamics have on the design, such as fire spread leading to non-localized fires.

In particular, a reliable fire load density to be used for structural design of car park structures is assessed, based on investigations of the fire loads of modern cars. Based on knowledge of fire load and fire performance of cars, the consequences on the fire safety design of steel structures are presented.

Design recommendation about fire load density and fire protection of common steel profiles are given. Finally, the proposed design is compared with a design practice that has been applied in many instances for car parks constructed with unprotected steel, and recommendations for a reliable design process are provided.

Numerous car park buildings have recently been designed of steel structures without passive or active fire protection. The key assumptions that makes possible such design are local fire scenarios, outdated values of the car fire load and utilization of the ultimate steel strength. This paper identifies the shortcomings of such key assumptions, indicating the need for revisiting the methods and possibly even checking the analyses carried out for some already-built car parks.

Using the assumptions of the resource-based view, relational view and swift, even flow theories and the overarching principles of supply chain management, the study aims to test the role of information technology (IT) capability (cross-functional application, supply chain application and data consistency) in enabling supply chain integration (SCI; internal, customer and supplier integration) and the impact of SCI on firm's operational performance in terms of quality, delivery, production cost, inventory level, customer service and product-mix flexibility.

The structural equation modeling approach is used to test theoretical predictions underlying the relationship among dimensions of IT capability, SCI and operational performance based on data obtained from senior executives of 108 large manufacturing firms listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The results suggest that IT capability has positive impact on SCI, except for data consistency, which is found to have negative impact on internal integration. The results further indicate that SCI, especially customer integration, has positive and significant impact on all operational performance indicators.

The findings inform future initiatives associated with the SCI improvement via specific IT capabilities. When undertaking such initiatives, managers are advised to consider the differential impact of the following IT capabilities on SCI: cross-functional applications, supply chain applications, and data consistency capability.

The study makes an empirical contribution to the body of knowledge by demonstrating the value of the multidimensional representation and analysis of IT capability, SCI, and operational performance given a differential and even opposed influence by some of the dimensions in specific business contexts.

The purpose of the paper is to review autism identification across different ethnic groups. Diagnosis of autism may be missed or delayed in certain ethnic groups, leading to such groups being underserved relative to their needs. This can result in members of such groups being effectively denied essential avenues of support that can substantially improve the quality of life of autistic persons as well as those whom care for them.

A literature search for articles reporting autism identification across ethnic groups was undertaken. Data are compared, with a special focus on possible explanations for any inter-group variation.

Autism identification appears to be generally lower in minority ethnic groups relative to the majority population. Individuals presenting with autism from minority groups appear to have more severe forms of the condition.

There are a multitude of potential explanations for inter-ethnicity variation in autism identification, including health care-related factors, broader environmental influences, cultural factors and possible biological differences. Implications for clinical practice and public health include a need to look at means of ensuring equitable access to relevant autism diagnostic and support services across ethnic groups. Further work is required to better understand the belief systems that operate within specific ethnic groups, how this may potentially impact upon autism identification and measures to address the concerns of such groups.