Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-08-22
concrete BLOCKS
Of Sand { Cement

1t may interest a good many people
to learn that sand of certain quality
has developed into a new use-that it
may be employed in making concrete
blocks for building purposes. What
may prove of especial interest is the
fact that there is deposit of such
sand, unlimited in extent, right here
in Danville; more than this, that con-
crete brick are being manufactured
here with no other constituents than
sand and cement and that two large
dwellings i'll which the sand-made
blocks are to be used as the building
material are in course of erection
There is nothing new IN the idea of
building a concrete house using blocks
made of concrete instead of solid walls
constructed with wooden forms. 1t re-
manned for our townsman J. W. Phil
lips, however. to demonstrate that a
much more beautiful block can be
made of cement and sand alone than
of cement, sand and gravel, the con-
stltuents generally used; also that
the sand block is every bit as hard and
durable as those in which gravel is
used
Mr. Philips is erecting two large
dwellings on West Mahoning street.
Both bindings will be wholly of con-
crete. The first, in which the concrete
walls were constructed in the usual
way, with the aid of forms, is COM
pleted cellar-high In the second
building the cellar walls are we'll un-
der way.
The entire portion of both buildings
above the ground will be built of con-
crete blocks, which Mr.. Phillips is al
ready manufacturing on the spot. The
sand excavated from the cellars of the
two dwellings is of choice and pecu-
liar grade and proves the very thing
that is needed to make concrete blocks.
Mr.. Phillips began his experiment
early in the spring, although he has
been much delayed by the non arrival
of a machine. Using sand alone, he
first produced a block one part cement
and five of sand These blocks now lie
on the ground inviting inspection
They have hardened into a mass re.
sembllng rock itself ana would no
doubt stand all the strain and pressure
that they would ever be subjected to
in . building. To leave no doubt as to
the tensile strength, however, Mr.
Philips increased the proportion of ce-
ment and the brick that will be used
in the buildings are made of one part
cement and three of sand, which gives
them tensile strength of 230 pounds
to the square inch.
The blocks are of two sizes-those
ten inches wide for the first story and
those eight inches wide for the second
story. Each brick is hollow providing
a continuous air chamber in the wall
the effect of which is to prevent damp
ness, as we'll as TO preserve warmth in
the house in winter and promote cool
ness in summer. The blocks are very
beautiful, in all respects resembling
finely dressed stones of unifoIm size
An advantage, not lightly esteemed,
lies in the fact that no lathing will be
required in the concrete house. but
that the plaster will be applied direct
ly to the blocks and none but white
coat will be needed.
One machine is in operation now, by
which two experienced men can turn
out over a hundred brick per day. An
other machine will be installed in a
few days which will double the cap.
acity of the plant. In the course of a
few weeks all the blocks required for
one house will be completed then
will follow the laying up of the walls,
which will be smallest part of the
proposition. Mr.. Phillips expects to
have both dwellings under roof before
cold weather.