The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1907-04-24
.SCHUYLER'S REPORT
ON NUUANU DAM


CContlnuGd from rage One).
number of test pits and trenches to be |
dug, and various tests made, all of
which were of value in forming my
final judgment
My investigation has been facilitated
in every possible way by Messrs. c. S. !
Holloway superintendent of Public
Works and j. H. Rowland, c. E., AS
slstant superintendent, who have fur
nished me all maps documents and
statistics asked ttr, bearing in any
way upon the case, and have ether
fully complied with every request that
1 have made without reserve or hesita-
Jon.
After having fully considered and
digested all the data thus secured, l
am prepared to submit the following
report embodying my conclusions and
recommendations:
/. Are the plans and Specifications
as drawn by Mr.. Walker and approved
| by Mr.. Rowland and Mr.. Holloway of
the Public Works Departent, for a
reservoir in Nuuanu valley, commonly
known as the Nuuanu dam, complete in
every detail?
2. Are the alterations suggested by
Mr.. Kellogg being carried out?
g.. Is the work at the Nuuanu Dam
in it's present state of construction,
proper and safe?
4NIf the dam is completed under
the present plans and specifications,
win it be safe?
s. Your opinion upon the efficiency
of the dam when completed?
Answering the question 1 must say
that while the plans are well drawn
and are generally quite complete and
very clearly define almost all parts of
the work proposed, being evidently the
work of a man of good engineering
training and education, the specifica-
lions are in some respects lacking in
detail and this defect may have led
to the pubic criticism and Jack of con-
fidence which were the cause of the
present investigation Inc matter ia
which / particularly refer is the wooden
stave pipes used for effluent and waste
pipes through the dam. The use of
this class of pipe for reservoir outlets
lis quite novel l do not know of its
having been used i'm this manner before
at least for dam of any magnitude.
The cons -i,,r;,ln e 500 stave pipe is
not SO common or so well understood as
to render it safe to contract for it with
out very infinitely specifying just how
It is to be made
The original specifications evidently
contemplated the necessity for such
minor alterations of plans which mus
always occur in every construction OF
this sort. and the clauses under the
headings "OmissionsF and "Altera-
lions" provide for these contingencies
The only point 1 make in calling at
tention to this particular feature, which
may seem of small Importance, is tina
the use of wood stave pipe, armore'
type of construction as a reservoir out
r with reinforced concrete, being a move
let with which contractors would not b
expected to be familiar, the specifica
lions should have been very explici
and minute in describing the precis
methods for doing the work in an &C
ceptable and unmdstakabgle manner
The result of neglecting this minutia
of detail apparently led to class o
e work which in time led to cOntrovers
y with the contractor, criticism by tn
q inspector and general lack OF con
d fdence in the stability Of the construc
j. ton. l may say here that the recon
o struction of the pipes as recommends
# by Mr.. Kellogg and the increase
n thickness of concrete covering apple
e has remedied all their defects and Pre-
n duced outlet pipes which are ampl
strong, substantial and safe. The cor
crete alone is sufficient without relianc
4, upon the wood, while the complete satl
i ration of the latter with the exclusio
of air, will protect it from decay In
re- definitely
ssssss
- under sub-head &C" Of "Embanl
ment" Il is evident that the use
/, wheol-scrapers or slip-scrapers We
! not considered as admissible, doubtlei
"a for the reason that In a preceding par
graph it was provided that mo borro
pits shall be opened within the liml
Of the reservoir" and this stipulatl'
increased the length Of haul require
TO obtain the material for the da
" beyond tho practicable limits OF acra
era IN my opinion this was an u
fortunate stipulation, as II evidently 2
.r- suited In much higher bids than mig
have been secured had iho contrncto
been at liberty 90 scrapo earth fro
Iel tho adjacent areas of broad Nat bon
] lls.fla.IIafsIaH "a ma