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NINETY-ONE male and 36 female patients at the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, were the subjects of a study to determine the functional anthro pometry of wheelchair users.Apparatus was designed to measure on these subjects nine standard anthropo metric body dimensions and 35 comfortable and maximum reaching distances at different angles and at varying heights from floor level. Other relevant details, e.g. subject's age, nature of injury, type of chair used, etc., were also recorded.The data were analysed by computer to derive means and 5th and 95th percentile values for the male and female groups. From these values it was possible to construct diagrams of use to the architect and designer for determining space requirements for this category of disabled people. ONE has always tried to reduce the weight and cumbersomeness of the calipers for paraplegic patients; nevertheless the essential qualities of solidity and function should be respected. We propose the use of mono tubular calipers, made out of one single support, the external one, consisting of a metal tube of drawn steel ( fig. r). The first results have been satisfactory. One can add to this the ease with which they can be put on and removed in addition to comfort and security in ambulation. Moreover, the manufacturing of such calipers is easy, the cost lower than that of a usual conven tional caliper. THE MONOTUBULAR CALIPER FOR PARAPLEGIC PATIENTSDescription. From the front, the monotubular caliper is straight, does not follow the curves of the lower limb, neither the axis of the thigh or leg ( fig. 2).Seen from the side, the caliper is absolutely straight, connected to the shoe by a pivot-pin placed in front of the axis of the limb ( fig. 3), the effect of which is the creation of a triangle as basis for weight bearing which is important for the M 1 7 3

The analysis, and subsequent retrofit, of concrete arch bridges during recent years has relied heavily on the use of computational simulation. For seismic analysis in particular, computer simulation, typically utilizing linear approximations of structural behavior, has become standard practice. This report presents the results of a comprehensive study of the significance of model sophistication (i.e. linear vs. nonlinear) and pertinent modeling assumptions on the dynamic response of concrete arch bridges. The study uses the Bixby Creek Bridge, located in California, as a case study. In addition to presenting general recommendations for analysis of this class of structures, this report provides an independent evaluation of the proposed seismic retrofit for the Bixby Creek Bridge. Results from the study clearly illustrate a reduction of displacement drifts and redistribution of member forces brought on by the inclusion of material nonlinearity. The analyses demonstrate that accurate modeling of expansion joints, for the Bixby Creek Bridge in particular, is critical to achieve representative modal and transient behavior. The inclusion of near-field displacement pulses in ground motion records was shown to significantly increase demand on the relatively softer, longer period Bixby Creek Bridge arch. Stiffer, shorter period arches, however, are more likely susceptible to variable support motions arising from the canyon topography typical for this class of bridges.

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