Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-12-04
WORTHY OF PUBLIC CONSIDERATION.
Concrete the Most Suitable Material for
Bridge Construction.

Owing to the great advance in con-
crete work, and especially in reinforced
concrete, and the moderate cost of
such construction, the consideration of
concrete bridges demands careful at
tention of all towns and counties hay-
ing bridges to build The recent ex-
tensive use of concrete has caused many
people to think of it as a new industry
Yet concrete is one of the oldest build
ing materials. The Pantheon at Rome
is perhaps the most notable example of
ancient concrete construction. This re-
markahle dome is l42 feet in diameter
with q 80 foot opening at the top. To-
day 1t does not show a single crack
after having been exposed to the ele-
ments for nineteen centuries.
Reinforced concrete is only new APP
phcation of concrete reinforced with a
network of steel, forming a perfectly
safe and dura ole construction In fact.
all tall buildings in the large cities rest
on Steel-concrete foundations. No one
doubts their permanency.
The advantages of concrete bridges
over ordinary steel bridges are every
where recognized. There are many
important considerations in favor of
concrete bridges and throughout In
diana, Ohio and neighboring states they
are almost universally used. The life
of a concrete bridge is perpetual while
steel bridges have to be replaced from
time to time No painting is ever re-
quired on concrete and it is not af-
feeted by the weather. Due to the
hardening of cement with time the
strength of concrete increases with age.
No constant renewing of wooden floor
ing is necessary, and important item
owing TO the scarcity and poor quality
of oak plank. In times of food their
weight makes them perfectly secure
against being overturned or being
washed away In fact. cases are
known where a steel bridge has been
carried down and lodged against con-
crete one, Practically all the labor and
materials for concrete bridges must
necessarily come from the locality of
the bridge, thus leaving much of the
money expended in the community.
The appearance Of a concrete bridge is
considerably more pleasing than of
steel bridge The arch itself lg aesthe-
tic. The white color makes 1t stand
out against the landscape and the bridge
has look of stability.
A great number of concrete bridges
have been built By counties, towns and
railroads and have given perfec. salts
faction, IN many eastern states they
have practically replaced steel bridges.
The superiority Of masonry over steel
bridges has for many years been re-
eognized by the railroads of this country
and Europe and many important rail-
road systems have built such bridges.
The substitution Of concrete for stone
masonry has made these bridges safer.
more durable. better in every way, and
above all has reduced the cost of con
structiou and maintainance.
The first cost of concrete bridges Is
practically the same as Of steel bridges,
while if the cost Of painting, replacing
Of floors, etc, and finally the replacing
Of the steel bridge itself Ii taken into
consideration the cost is considerably
less Concrete as we'll as steel bridges
should be carefully designed by a com
petent engineer and their construction
closely watched. as ignorance or care-
lessness would result IN failure.
For these reasons the interest Of the
community cannot be served better by
the different boards having such mat
ters in charge than BY giving concrete
bridges the most careful consideration.