The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-08-10
THE BEST BUILDINGS
MATERIALS USED IN SAN FRAN
CISCO STRUCTURES.
Construction Engineer Gives opin-
ions on Most Advisable Style
of Construction for the
Coast.

San FranclscO.-The results OF a
fortnights study Of the effects Of the
earthquake and the connagration on
the better classes Of buildings in San
Francisco were given by James l.. Nc
Laughlin, an eastern construction en-
gineer in the service Of joint con
Germs which employ on the average
10000 persons IN building. He spoke
as the representative of eastern con-
struction companies.
MY first observation" he said, lis
that the only material which both
withstood perfectly the violent shakes
of the earth and the fierce ravages OF
the flames were concrete and rein
forced concrete, where they have been
used here in foundations. floors and
in columns for fireproohng. The Fer
ry building, in which concrete floor
ing had been laid, was unaffected by
the earthquake. so far as the main
building was concerned. An example
of its utility for fireproofing was af-
forded by the concrete-protected col
umns of the ST. Francis hotel. II in
closed the steel columns. and by the
protection thus afforded saved that
structure from burning.
AS to Class A steel construction.
the examples where the strength OF
the buildings was unimpaired was in
those where gusset plates were placed
under the girders and the girder
beams. The best example Of this was
the Atlas building, on Mission street,
near Second street. cannot speak
OF the Claus Spreckels buildlng, as
have not examined it.
ITO show the advisability Of the
use of gusset plates. take the steel
cages standing. Where they have
been employed with stiffeners under
girders and girder beams, they have
admirably served the purpose Of
sway-bracing. In my opinion Glass A
steel buildings constructed with
gusset plates under girders and
girder beam, and with stronger con
nection are capable Of withstanding
any shock such as that of the recent
earthquake.
Undoubtedly the amended build
ing ordinance will require stronger
connections between beams and
girder beams. and If the girders and
girder beams have gusset plates wher-
ever they are connected with the col
umns the best results will be at
tanned. The most important factor in
construction to withstand earthquake
shocks is to have solid foundations.
These may be on piles, but il is not
my purpose to discuss the details Of
their employment al this time.
For buildings OF 12 stories or over
there is the possibility OF putting up
steel cages with less extra expense
than now, which would be proof
against any earth vibrations. The
ideal building of this kind would have
reinforced concrete walls supported
b. steel cage. and, in turn, strength
eaing the steel cage so as TO be able
10 resist horizontal and upward move
nents.
This building would have rein
forced concrete floors and partitions
throughout the structure. Such a
building having also wire glass with
metal sashes. a new kind Of fire floor
which will probably result from tbs
study Of the effects Of your great con
fagration. will give a building which
with good foundations preferably rest
/ iar on corrugated concrete piles
would be thoroughly hreproof ane
earthquake proof"