St. Tammany farmer., 1905-06-24

The success OF this
method of construction has been thor
oughly proven in great number of
cases, in the large structures now stand
ing, number of which are very old and
quite beautiful buildings.
Many of the most successful con-
structors of such buildings make build
ing blocks by molding the concrete,
when mixed in simple mold Of wood
formed by mailing together four one
inch planks, which are eight inches
wide, and setting these on smooth sur
face, preferably of rough timber, then
pouring the mixed concrete into them
and allowing to stand until solid. The
sketch illustrates one of these devices
Many of the larger but roughly con-
structed concrete works are being built
by pouring the concrete between the
temporary walls built of one-inch
boards. Practically all of the heavy
foundation work now being constructed
in the cities, under large buildings, is
made in this way. For small farm
structures this is perhaps the cheapest
method to employ. The procedure of
such building is about as follows:
First there is constructed solid wall
of one-inch planking on the inner side
of the ground, where the foundation OF
the wall is to stand. This is erected to
a height of some four feet, with the
smooth side out, being firmly braced
within. Another wall of the same nature
is constructed and placed facing it six
to eight inches away, as the thickness
of the wall is desired. When this has
been constructed all around in the
manner described, concrete is poured
into this mold and allowed to harden.
AS often as the mold is filed some
boards are added above and the con-
crete poured in, in layers of one to two
feet deep. The board walls are allowed
to remain until the concrete is quite
solid
The double wall is by far the most
practical, since it has an air-space ex-
tending from cellar to joist, which re-
tards the passage of moisture, heat or
cold and makes the building much more
stable. The inside wall supports the
thicker than tie outside wall. Usually
the inner wall is five inches and the
outer wall three inches thick, and the
space four inches wide The two must
be fastened together, as they are built
by the insertion Of number of small
iron rods, which to prevent rusting
should be galvanized. These may be
placed in the concrete as the walls are
raised.
Several machines are on the market
for building these walls, consisting SIM
ply of frame for the two outside sur
faces, with a mold for the cavity. But
very good success has been obtained by
the use of constructed molds, says Farm
and Home. These walls are usually
smooth enough on the inside to take
putty finish and paint without further
treatment.
The concrete used for this purpose,
which is meeting with widest success,
is made Of one part of cement. three
parts sand and five parts of broken
stone or nut gravel This mixture is
prepared as it is used, since if allowed
to stand any length of time after mix
ing it will harden and not make a solid
wall.
Such building is practically fire.
proof, and if the walls are not thick will
be very dry within. If, the walls are
very thick, however, the moisture will
collect upon the insides of them and will |
not allow the plaster to remain without
cracking~
A comparison of cost between frame
and brick construction is considerably
in favor of concrete. In an estimate on |
a building 24x36 feet, two stories high,
the frame cost $500, brick S723, while
similar construction of concrete, with |
two walls, the outer three inches and
the inner i've inches thick, would cost |
about $432.
Machines for the molding of single
and two-piece building blocks are on
the market, ranging in cost from $25
to $500, but for ordinary frame struc-
lures the scaffolding molds are hy far
the cheapest and most practical. For
fancy structures, dwelling houses, etc.,
nodded concrete blocks are very serv-
ceable and may be introduced In any
part of the wall to decorate it.