Connecticut western news., 1908-07-16
HOW ID BUILD
 CEMENT SIDEWALKS
SOME PRACTICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Directions for the Proper Mixing of the Cement, Sand and Water for Foun- dation and Top of WaIks-Direc- tions for Curb Construction.

tions for Curb Construction.
 Inasmuch as concrete sidewalks have attained such wide spread popularity. we herewith present directions for con- structing the same.
 After grade stakes have been set the earth shall be excavated nine inches be- low the surface of the proposed finished walk and if there is any rubbish manure, or other soft material below this point. it shall also be removed and the place where it has been taken from filled in with good, solid earth, which shall be thoroughly rammed.
 After the excavations have been done there shall be placed thereon bed of sand, gravel or cinders, five inches in thickness, which shall also be thoroughly rammed and dampened. When the subsoil is black dirt or sandy loam, a foundation of one or two inches of sand will suffice.
 Upon the foundation so prepared shall be placed layer of concrete, which shall be, when tamped, three inches ill thick ness. This concrete shall be made of one part good Portland cement, of any brand which complies with the standard speci- fications of the American Society for Testing Materials. to three parts of clean, sharp sand and five parts of screened gravel or crushed rock. In preparing the concrete, the measurements shall be by volume. and the materials thoroughly mixed dry before water is applied.
 In mixing by hand, the ingredients shall be turned at least three times dry and two times wet; sufficient water shall be added so that it will appear freely at the top when tamping. This concrete shall be put in place in not to exceed 30 minutes from the time the water has been applied This concrete shall be thoroughly rammed and struck off to an even surface one inch below the grade of the finished walk This surface shall be smoothed off with a trowel to receive the top coat.
 THE SURFACE COAT
 Top coat shall be made of one part of Portland cement, as specified above, to two parts of clean, sharp, screened sand, which shall first be mixed dry and then wet to the consistency of thin mortar, which mortar shall be placed upon the concrete to the thickness of one inch, in- side of 30 minutes after the concrete shall have been laid. This top coat shall be struck off level with the side frames and trowelled into the concrete with plenty of pressure applied to unite the two. Top coat shall be finished with trowel or wooden float, to a smooth or rough surface, as desired.
 AS soon as the top coat has been ap- piled and finished. walk should be cut into square or rectangular blocks. not ex- ceeding five feet the longest way, and the joints shall be neatly finished with a groover, and the edges finished with an connected up with cement street crossing, there shall be provision made for expansion by placing expansion joints at least every 300 feet; such joints to be at least two inches in width and filled with sand.
 CONCRETE CURBING
 After excavating to a proper depth, set frames for curbing with spreader board between, not less than four feet apart Brace frames thoroughly opposite these spreading boards, keeping the out side frame at all times in line. Cororete for curbing should be composed of one part Portland cement to five parts clean, si.arp sand and gravel, thoroughly mixed C " and then wet to q proper consistency.
 After the concrete has been thoroughly mixed, tamp in place, using sheet iron division plates to cut the curbiag ill sec tions not less than four or more than six feet in length. The top coat of curbing shall be at least one-half inch in thick ness and shall consist of one part of Port land cement to two parts of clean, sharp sand, and should be thoroughly smoothed off with trowel on the edges and finished to the desired shape with an edger or curb tool.
 For business street, curbing should be from IS to 22 inches deepand five inches in thickness at the top and seven inches at the bottom. For instance, curbing may be IA or 16 inches in depth. but of no less thickness than for street curbing.
 DIED