Improvements in or connected with Buildings or Structures.
Year: 1891

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Buildings or Structures.
I, ADOLF GOERKE, of Tarnowitz, Upper Silesia, Germany, Master Builder,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The present invention relates to a method of constructing structures more
particularly for building purposes, and structures of a similar nature, of iron in
combination with cement, in such a manner that the iron acts to give strength to
the structure through its tensile properties, whereas the cement gives strength to
the structure in resisting pressure. The iron is however utilized to resist pressure
in such cases where the pressure resisting power of the cement is not sufficient.
According to this invention the iron is applied principally on the surfaces of the
structure it being only just covered with cement-to give the surface the
appearance of stone and to protect the iron from rusting.
By the invention herein set forth, the metal framework or skeleton is not only
covered on both sides with cement in order to give it the appearance of masonry,
but the iron is applied when the greatest solidity and strength is required.
I will describe with the aid of the annexed drawings some examples of building
structures constructed according to the improvements under this invention.
Figures to of the drawings, shew the application of the invention in the con-
struction of light staircases; in Figures 1, 2 and 3, rod or bar iron is used, in
Figure 4 sheet iron is used.
a Figures 1 to 3 designates an iron rod bent at right angles and built firmly into
the stair wall, and having, if required, supporting plates b.
The plates and the end of the rod a are built into the wall to correspond with
the steps of the staircase, and they are filled or built up with a body of cement e,
and "pointed or finished off in the usual way.
In the modification shewn at Figure 4 there is provided, instead of the iron
rod a, a sheet iron shell d, filled up with a cement body e and finished off in a suit-
able way to form steps. In order to give these steps the appearance of stone, the
sheet iron may be perforated or roughened, or a wire web, secured by fasteners g,
may be employed as shewn in Figures 5 and 6, with the sheet iron shell and then
faced with cement.
Figures 7 to 9 shew the construction of arches according to this invention. In
this case a considerable advantage is obtained by the use of the invention, because,
in the coupling of arch segments in the ordinary way now in use, a bending out of
the supports and an opening of the joints frequently take place.
Figure 7 shews such a malformation which occurs sometimes notwithstanding
the stay. This evil is remedied by the present invention in such a manner that
the iron introduced on the surface of the masonry not only acts as a support but
also as a stay. The single support shewn in Figure 7 prevents the arch from
yielding or giving-out when overweighted, and in consequence of the great solidity
the top, 1, joint cannot open. In order to prevent the opening of the side joints, 2,
there is provided a double support, which effectively prevents the bulging of
the arch. The connections or filling between the two supports can be con-
structed of cement or stone work to form the arch. The arch is of absolute solidity,
It thus
inasmuch as the iron prevents undue strains on the masonry of the arch.
becomes possible to make arches of very large span with a small quantity of
material, using a suitable combination of rod iron and sheet iron, as shewn in
Figure 10. The outside of the arch is finished off in a suitable manner.
The same construction of the arch can be effected either for flat, or round dome
constructions, as shewn in Figure 11.

page_text: This invention is also suitable to the construction of flat ceilings.
In Figures 12 and 13 there is shown an example of a ceiling so constructed.
The cement is placed on the iron plates n which are supported by the bearers m.
The application of the cement or plaster is performed after properly supporting the
plates a, the supports being taken away after the cement is thoroughly hard. By
this means a ceiling is obtained which, in addition to being fire-proof, is absolutely
solid and a side slip is impossible as all tension is checked by the sheet iron,
allowing the cement to set properly. In cases where great lengths are required it
is preferable to introduce iron rods o arranging them over the bearers m and to
connect them to one another by wires p or in any other suitable way. When
dealing with large surfaces it is advisable to fasten to the iron sheets n some wires q
or their equivalent and enclose them in the cement or plaster.
Should it be required to construct ceilings after the manner described in this
invention where bearers or beams are already in existence the mode of construction
will be as follows:-
To a round or angular shaped bar r, (see Figures 14 to 16) strips of sheet iron s
are joined and these are fastened to the beams. In finishing off the cementing,
should a finishing on the overpart be impossible the cement or plaster is passed
through perforations in the iron sheeting. Should, however, a finishing on both
sides be possible the same can be done as explained in regard to the stairs and
arches.
On the same principle it is possible to construct partition walls which will
have great stability and be of unlimited duration if constructed in the following
way:
On the ceiling, walls, and the floor of the space to be divided, I fix angle iron
pieces as shewn in Figures 17 to 19. Angle irons u are also provided at the door
openings. To these angle irons, iron bands are rivetted, and the iron framework
thus produced is finished off with plaster or cement. When the partition is of
great length, a sheet iron tube may be provided and connected to the iron bands v
by means of wire or otherwise, the iron bars u forming the door opening are fastened
to the ceiling and floor by means of the angle pieces, or they may be connected
to the angle iron t.
The invention is also applicable to the formation of conducting pipes of any
shape or form, providing great strength and solidity.
Figures 20 and 21 shew a pipe so constructed. The pipe consists of an outer
and an inner case y. y', of perforated sheet iron, the annular space between them
being filled up with cement and then finished off by smoothing, both inside and
outside. For connecting lengths of pipes, a ring is provided, constructed in a
manner similar to the pipe. In cases where the pipes are to serve as water pipes or
the like, the ring is formed with suitable grooving, as shewn at Figure 21, to
admit of packing being inserted.
=
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. The herein described improvements in or connected with buildings or
structures consisting in the employment of iron in the form of bars or sheets, in
combination with cement, plaster, or like material; said iron being applied at or
near the surface of the structure and adapted to increase the strength and power of
resistance thereof; substantially as set forth.
Dated this 19th day of March 1891.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.