Author
THOMAS SWAILES
University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

Abstract
This paper gives the background to the obsolescence of nineteenth century textile mills and discusses the engineering problems of adapting these historically and economically important buildings for new uses. UMIST’s involvement in experimental work to investigate the structural behaviour of the ‘fireproof brickwork arch floors in two iron-framed masonry mill buildings is described and a simple analysis and comparison of the experimental results is presented.