The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-16
BRICKS FOR PAVING.
Used i'm the East With Very
Satisfactory Results.
SOFT ONES SHOULD BE culLED
Because They Chip at the Corners 1t
Must Not Be supposed the
Whole Bricks VIII Go.
New York Tribune.


tracts nave been made for the LAYING of
brick payements on half a dozen blocks in
brooklyn. but the only work thus far done
Is me small area at the intersection of
Bedford avenue with Eastern Parkway.
The pavement there has been dowa for
several weeks, and has given excellent
satisfaction. though. OF course, there has
not Yet been time TO give il an ADEQUATE
test
City Works Commissioner White has
given considerable attention TO the use of
orfck as paving material. and has endeav-
oTed TO obtain all the information possible
upon the subject. His general impression
Is entirely favorable to the use of brick
on streets where the traffic is not too
heaVy; and il is believed that the brick
pavement which is 10 be placed on Nevins
street, between Schermerhorn and Dean
streets, viii afford an excellent test of the
wearing qualities of brick under trying
conditions. The travel there is not the
same as that in Fulton street, for exam
pie, but al the same time there is good
deal OF heavy trucking here and when the
brick pavement is finished there will be
much carriage driving, as this part of
Nevins street viii be link in the chain
OF smooth pavement extending from the
city hall TO Prospect park
In his quest of information regarding
the use of ytrified brick for paving pur-
poses, Commissioner White recently made
inquiries of ]. Y. McClintoek the city en-
gineer of Rochester. The inquiry was
prompted by the reported statement of
Dir. McClintock that the experience with
this sort of pavement on East avenue in
that city had demonstrated that il was
hardly suited to a street bearing heavy
traffic, and that brick pavement would not
be durable on a main city thoroughfaTe.
In his reply 10 Mr.. White Mr.. McClintock
go hot ts.t H..
would justify such conclusion. although
in his report for lS9S-94 he had written: Il
think that our experience thus far does
not warrant recommending brick pave
ment for streets subject TO heavy traffic,
or in which are lines of railway"
But TO that he adds: Il can say now
that the brick pavement on East avenue,
which has been down four years and sub
5ect to traffic of probably from forty TO
fifty tons per day per foot in width, is by
no means failure. and although some re-
pairs have been necessary, IL is apparent
~ going 10 be good street for a long term
OF years. To the ordinary observer the
fact that the bricks. by breaking off at the
edges, enlarge the joints, seems proof that
the process of chipping will continue until
the bricks are worn out, but this does not
seem to be the case. and after the corners
have rounded off to certain extent, and
the brick has, as IL were. adjusted its form
TO its required duty, then the chipping
does not continue"
Summing up the fair criticisms which
can be made of this pavement. Mr.. Nc
Clintock gives them as follows: First
the bricks are not so carefully culled to
SECURE uniformity Of hardness as the
product of the same company is today
and as the bricks of almost all first-class
manufacturers now are.
Second, the cushion of sand between
the concrete foundation ard the brick
pavement is two inches which is enough
10 allow for slight depressions of small sx-
tent which mar the surface when wet.
especially with the very fat crown. This
layer of sand should he from one-half TO
three-quarters OF an inch thick.
Third, the courses of brick are laid at
right angles to the curb line, with the re-
suit that there is a disagreeable tremor
impaired to vehicles and bicycles, which
is not apparent when the courses are laid
al an angle OF 60 degrees with the curb.
Fourth. the manhoie heads were of
stone, four feet square, set square with
the roadway. making long joints parallel
with the line OF traffic, which broke down.
Most Of these have been changed by turn
ing them partly around, so that their di-
agonally opposite corners are IN line with
the traffic. Some of the street intersec-
lions were so made as 10 make a long
straight joint right along the middle Of the
roa dway. These. of course, broke down
and have been relaid, so that travel cam
not follow joint.
Fifth. for so heavy traffic the. bricks
might be larger TO advantage. but not
overmuch."
In conclusion. Engineer McClintock de-
clares: I'VE could not from our local ex-
perience. say that it would be impossible
10 construct n brick pavement which
would successfully carry a very heavy
traffic" He also notes that brick pave
ments are being laid this season on four
frst-class residence streets in Rochester.
and Will" he expresses no opinion on the
subject. it IS evident that he entertains no
doubt THAT on such streets this material
cen be used 10 great advantage His COM
munication contains number of valuable
hints REGARDING The proper method of lay
ing brick pave ments and touching on
things that should be avoided
On Court square in Brooklyn-that is
the name by which the first block ia Bo-
erum Place alongside OF the hall OF rec
ords. is kn0wu-there Is a paving mate
rial which has been tried nowhere else in
the city. This is asphalt block. which has
been used 20 a considerable extent I'm some
other cities. The blocks are somewhat
larger than bricks and are laid IN the
same general way. This pavement was
put down half a dozen or more years ago.
and though there are ear tracks In the
street and the pavement Is subject 10 a
good deal of wear and tear. it has given
good satisfaction. and Is now in excellent
condition. II has been torn M here and
there on numerous occasions. hat repairs
are easily made and the general surface
Of the street is not affected hy them
Notwithstanding the successful use 81
asphalt blocks on Cont square. othing
has been done towels LAYING such pave
meat elsewhere. vt IL they wish IT,
property owners who petition for inn
proved pavements can have this as readi-
Is as sheet asphalt or brick The only
question is as 20 the cost, and az present
asphalt block pavement would he more
expensive than sheet asphalt.
There has been 81 substantial reduction
iu the cost ~ the latter this year Nhich
has caused a great number OF petitions IN
favor ~ asphalt pavemelts 20 be sub
Tnitted to the city authontios. ard there
has been another effect. 60 which Com
missioner White called attention a day o.
two ago namely. that 10 consequences OF
the great demand for asphalt the -itv Is
now able 90 secure graH3te pavements al
considerably Tower nGufe than formerly.
Wood I'aNafacnts.
Hardwood