The record-union., 1897-09-15
EXPERT STODDARD'S REPORT
CHANGES MADE IN THE NOR
MON ISLAND BRIDGE.
Supervisors Notify the Contractors
That They Must Adhere to
the Contract.

the Contract.
When the Board Of Supervisors con-
vened yesterday morning all the mem
bers We're present
The clerk stated that the Record
Union and Bee" declined to publish
the notice for bids on the Costumes
River trestIe at the rates fixed by the
board at a meeting last week, such
rates being very much lower than the
rates charged citizens for similar ad-
vertisirg.
Thereupon the board ordered the
clerk to advertise in the Folsom Tel
egraph,' Sunday Leader" and "Ga4t
Gazette" three times each
Expert G "A. Stoddard presented his
report on the Mormon Island bridge.
He says that the bridge at first view
presents a neat. substantial appear
anee, but when examined in detail and
compared with strain sheets and speci-
hcations, a number Of deviations and
changes were found to have been made
which more or less affect the character
of the structure.
First, in regard to the piers. 1t was
thought best by the Supervisors to
higher than the old one, and in so do
ing the pier on the Sacramento end of
the bridge was built up about eighteen
inches, and to bring the top of the
piers to the same level, that on the
FL Dorado County end of the bridge
was raised about thirty nine inches.
The Old piers are granite and substan-
italy built. In building up the old
Il q
was used which, upon such examina-
ton as could be given it in its present
condition mot being present when the
concrete was made up and placed in
position), is thought not to be of the
best quality.
By reference to specifications, it will
be seen that, if necessary to build up
the old piers, the work shall be of the
same character as the old piers, the
mortar to be used to be composed of
cement and sand. While there is no
doubt that the concrete, if properly
made would be as good as the gran
ite. in the present case the character
OF the work is thought not to be UP
to the standard intended and called
for By the specifications.
Second, the rollers in expansion bear
tight between the sides of the bearing;
the angle iron composing the sides
seem to have been hammered over in
order to get the rollers in position
II was also found that the concrete
bulkhead built up on the pier to hold
the filing for approach to the bridge,
is too close to expansion bearing, in
our judgment not allowing the neces-
sary room for free and full expansion.
This should be remedied, as the ex-
pansicn of the bridge is liable to
crack and otherwise injure the piers
TO such an extent that they would
have 10 be rebuilt, as has been known
to happen.
Third in comparing dimensions of
different members of the bridge with
strain sheet, it was found that several
changes have been made, in some
cases reducing the sectional area OF
the members and in some there is an
increase. The bars composing the
bottom chord at the center panels are
III inches by inches. two in number,
instead of four bars 11-16 Of an inch
by inches. as called for by strain
sheet. This is q reduction in sectional
area Of 8 per cent The center lower
diagonal members are 1 inch square,
instead of IA inches square, as called
for by the strain sheet; this is a re-
ducti0n of Sc per cent. The upper
center diagonaIs and end diagOnals
are slightly larger than called for by
the strain sheet, which of course does
no harm. The floor-beam hangers
are il inches square; the strain sheet
specifies these hangers to be 1 lie
inches square: in this the increase in
sectional area is a benefit, as 1 1-16
inches square is rather light for this
member.
All the floor beam hangers were eX-
aminel to see if nuts were properly
screwed to place, and if hangers We're
of proper length. In the cams the
hanger hardly came through the nut,
and in one case the hanger lacked
about one-half of an inch Of coming
through. This hanger should be
lengthened so that it will come through
the nut in order to make it perfectly
safe as the whole weight of the floor
system and Of moving loads comes
upon these hangers.
The manner of laying the flooring
might be mentioned In about thirty
instances the planks had been pieced
out, giving the flooring the appear
ance of having been made up of refuse
lumber. and detracting to some extent
from the durability. and might become
an element of danger from the short
pieces becoming displaced. The floor
joists We're of proper dimensions, and
placed as per plans. with one excep-
ton. 4x12 joist has been used in
stead of a 3x16. a reduction in value of
- per cent. We thing all the rail posts
should be bolted to joists. but in this
case only every alternate one is bolted.
The floor system. we think, would be
improved by placing X bridging be-
tween the lines of floor joists, and it
would add to the stability of the struc-
ture.
In submitting this report we have
thought best to bring to the attention
of your Honorable Board all details in
any way affecting the character of the
bridge. workmanship. as well as ma