IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE BUILDINGS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Mingay Tall, of Dulwich, in the County of
Surrey, Concrete Builder, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE BUILDINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Mingay Tall at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th November 1880.
JOSEPH MINGAY TALL, of Dulwich, in the County of Surrey, Concrete Builder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE BUILDINGS."
The object of this Invention is to simplify the construction of concrete buildings,
and is intended to apply more particularly to labourers' cottages in which it is
desired to obtain the greatest amount of accomodation at the lowest cost.
Hitherto the walls for concrete buildings have been built either with special
apparatus so arranged as to form a large mould of, say, two feet deep, and corre-
sponding to the whole wall area of the house to be built, into which mould the
concrete is thrown, and when this is set the apparatus is raised preparatory to
receiving a second filling of concrete. Or the mould has been formed of slabs of
concrete set on edge and maintained in position by suitablo apparatus, the slabs
forming the two faces of the wall with a backing of coarser concrete. Or blocks of
concrete of varying dimensions have been used, the building being constructed in
the same way as brick structures. Or the framework of the house either of wood
or metal has been first set up, and slabs of concrete have been secured thereto by
screws or other convenient means. But all these methods have certain disadvan-
tages which render them unsuitable for use for the commoner styles of work.
In carrying out my Invention, I make use of a combination of the slab and
block systems, the slabs and blocks being cast of such form that I am enabled to
dispense with the use of apparatus during building, and also avoid the necessity
for first setting up the framework of the housc.
The slabs are used for the main portions of the walls of the building, and the
blocks for corner picces, or in other positions where extra strength is necessary,
such for instance as round the doors and windows.
These slabs I cast in suitable moulds about two inches thick with an enlarge-
ment on two opposite edges, and along the whole length of the outer edges of these
Pavico d

page_text: enlargements I form a broad groove of, say, a quarter of an inch deep. The
enlargements I prefer shall be of such dimensions that when those on the opposite
edges of two slabs are placed in juxtaposition a pier will be formed of not less
than six inches square, with a hollow in the centre at the joint. The dimensions
of the slabs will vary according to requirements, but three feet square will be found
a useful and convenient size.
The blocks for the corners I prefer to cast with external faces of twelve inches
either way, and six inches thick. The depth will correspond to that of the slabs to
be used, and along the outer edges of these corner blocks I form broad grooves
about a quarter of an inch deep, which will correspond with the grooves in the
slabs, so that when a slab and corner piece are placed in juxtaposition, a hollow
space will be left in the centre at the joint.
In constructing a building with these slabs and blocks, the footing or foundation
must first be made perfectly level. A corner block is then set up on end thereon,
and when properly adjusted a slab on edge is placed on either side thereof. The
three pieces are then braced or clamped temporarily together, while a grouting of
cement is poured into the spaces at the joints. When this cement grouting has set
the two slabs and the corner piece will be firmly connected together, and the
temporary brace can be removed. Another slab is then placed in position against
each of those already fixed, and is secured thereto with cement grouting, as before
explained. This operation is continued, slabs or blocks being placed as required,
until the wall is completed three feet or slab high all round the building.
A second portion of the wall is then built up in the like manner on the first,
and so on in tiers, until the required height of wall is attained.
I thus obtain a wall composed of slabs with a pier formed either by the enlarge-
ments on the slabs, or by the corner or other blocks at every three feet more or
less.
At those parts of the wall where the windows and doors occur, I use blocks of a
depth corresponding to that of the slabs six inches thick, and of any required
width. These blocks I form on one side with a broad groove to correspond with
that on the edge of a slab, and at the opposite side of the block I form a rebate
into which the door or casement will fit. The hinges for carrying the doors and
windows I secure to the face of the block by screws, or in any other convenient
inanner. I am thus enabled to dispense with door and window frames, as the
cement will bold the screws for the hinges as securely as wood. If preferred,
however, hooks on which to hang the doors and windows can be cast into the
blocks.
The fireplaces and chimnies I also form of blocks. The blocks to form the
fireplaces I prefer to make hollow for lightness, and I cast them the height of the
fire place, and in one piece with the chimney jambs. When placed in position a
couerete slab having an opening therein the size of the mouth of the chimney is
cemented thereon.
The chimnies I cast in blocks of concrete about two feet high, and of a depth
and width sufficient to include the required number of flues, leaving a proper
quantity of concrete all round the flues. These blocks are placed one above the
other, and may be built into a recess formed by the enlargements of the wall slabs,
the joints being made good with cement grouting. By building the chimnies in
this manner I am enabled to save a large quantity of concrete or filling up, as the
wide chimney breasts as hitherto constructed will be avoided. The heat of the
flue will therefore in winter serve to communicate warmth to the surrounding air,
and the apartment will thus be more rapidly warmed, a great advantage in
cottages for the labouring classes.
In order to gain a symmetrical appearance I may introduce a pocket between
two chimnics, or in addition to one, and these pockets may be used for ventilating
purposes.
The partition walls I form of flat slabs, and where the staircase comes between
two partition walls I form the slabs to correspond to the outline of the stairs,

page_text: which I also form with concrete slabs so that the stair slabs may be supported by
the partition walls. The slabs above the steps will be the inverse of those below.
The floors I may also form of concrete slabs, which I support by wooden joists.
These joists I form of half battens, which are cut in half longitudinally, and then
screwed together with a length of fender plate, T shaped, or other angular iron
between them. The joists are inserted into holes left in the piers at the proper
height, and they may be set at the distance of three feet apart. The floor slabs
are laid upon them and may be screwed down if required; or boards may be used
for the floors. The roof I form of concrete slabs laid on purlines, which are
supported by gables, or in any other convenient manner.
16
It will be obvious that houses of a better class may also be built in this manner,
in which case I form the enlargements of the slabs with mouldings, which will
give a more finished appearance.
The above described plan of constructing walls is equally applicable to farm
buildings, sheds, and also park and garden walls. In the latter case it may be
desirable to increase the length of the slabs so that I may get the piers farther
apart. In this way I am enabled to build a strong wall having piers at regular
intervals, and at an extremely low cost.
The concrete for the slabs I prefer to mix in the following proportions, viz :—
One of cement to two of sand or other suitable material, but for the corner and
chimney blocks the concrete may be of a coarser nature, and mixed in the
proportion of 1 cement to 4 ballast or other suitable material.
I may sometimes cast the piers separately, and with a narrow groove on two
opposite sides, into which grooves the edges of plain slabs may be inserted. This
form may be useful when an extra size of room is required.
The lower edges of the slabs may also be made with enlargements, in the
underedge of which a groove is formed to fit over the top edge of the slab below it.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Mingay Tall in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
16th May 1881.
JOSEPH MINGAY TALL, of Dulwich, in the County of Surrey, Concrete Builder.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE BUILDINGS."
The object of this Invention is to simplify the construction of concrete buildings,
and the Invention is intended to apply more particularly to labourers' cottages, in
which it is desired to obtain the greatest amount of accommodation at the lowest
cost, though it is equally applicable to villas and other houses.
Hitherto the walls for concrete buildings have been built either with special
apparatus so arranged as to form a large mould of, say, two feet deep, and
corresponding to the whole wall area of the house to be built, into which mould
the concrete is thrown, and when this is set the apparatus is raised preparatory to
receiving a second filling of concrete, or the mould has been formed of slabs of
concrete set on edge and maintained in position by suitable apparatus, the slabs
forming the two faces of the wall with a backing of coarser concrete, or blocks of
concrete of varying dimensions have been used, the building being constructed in
the same way as brick structures.
Or the framework of the house either of wood or metal has been first set up,
and slabs of concrete have been secured thereto by screws or other convenient
jeans. But all these methods are expensive, and have other disadvantages which
render them unsuitable for use for the common sorts of work.
In carrying out my Invention I make use of a combination of the slab and
block systems, the slabs and blocks being cast of such form that I am enabled to
dispense with the use of apparatus during building, and also avoid the necessity
for first setting up the framework of the house.
The slabs are used for the main portions of the walls of the building, and tho
blocks for corner pieces or in other positions where extra strength is necessary, such,
for instance, as round the doors and windows.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1, Sheet I, shews an external elevation of
part of a house constructed according to my Invention, with a door in position, and
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is an external elevation shewing
the manner of constructing a projecting window, and Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view
of the same.
A are the slabs, and B the blocks which are used for the corner pieces and round
the doors and windows, or in any other position where additional strength is
required.
The slabs I cast in suitable moulds, and they may be said to consist of enlarge-
ments or styles a on two opposite edges and panels a', and along the whole length
of the outer edges of the enlargements I forin a broad groove bof, say, one eighth
of an inch deep. These enlargements a I prefer shall be of such dimensions that
when those on the opposite edges of two slabs are placed in juxtaposition a pier
will be formed of not less than six inches square with a space bin the centre at
the joint. The dimensions of the slabs will vary according to requirements, but
three feet square will be found a useful and convenient size.
The blocks for the corners I prefer to cast with external faces of twelve inches
either way and about six inches thick. The depth will correspond to that of the
slabs to be used, and along the outer edges of these corner blocks I form broad
grooves similar to the grooves b in the slabs, so that when a slab and corner piece
are placed in juxtaposition a space b will be left in the centre at the joint, as before
described with reference to the slab.

page_text: The panel portions a' of the slabs may be of any desired thickness, but I prefer
that they should not be less than two inches thick, and they may be placed in the
centre of the thickness of the slab or on one side of the centre, as seen in Fig. 2.
In the latter case I prefer to cast the inner faces of the enlargements a with a
moulding to give an ornamental appearance to the wall. The external face of the
slabs may be entirely flat or recessed, as shewn in the Drawing, Fig. 1, or they may
be formed with geometrical or other ornamentation.
In constructing a building with these slabs and blocks, the footing or foundation
must first be made perfectly level. A corner block is then set up on end thereon,
and when properly adjusted, a slab on edge is placed on either side thereof. The
three pieces are then braced or clamped temporarily together, while a grouting of
cement is poured in the spaces b at the joints. When this cement grouting is set
tho two slabs and the corner piece will be firmly connected together, and the
temporary clamp can be removed. Another slab is then placed in position against
each of those already fixed, and is secured thereto with cement grouting as before
explained.
This operation is continued, slabs or blocks being placed as required until the
wall is completed three feet or slab high all round the building.
A second portion of the wall is then built up in the like manner on the first, and
so on in tiers until the required height of wall is obtained.
I thus obtain a wall consisting of panels and styles, the height of the rooms,
said panels, and styles, being formed either by the enlargements on the slabs, or by
the corner or other blocks at every three feet, more or less.
The tops and bottoms of the panels will be formed with mouldings similar to
those at the sides, to give a finish to the panels, or at a suitable height from the
ground, a dado may be formed with a moulding.
Instead of forming the slabs as above described, I may cast them with a moulded
enlargement all round, as seen in Fig. 5.
I prefer this form generally, as it presents a broad base on which the slabs can
rest, thus ensuring greater rigidity than in the former case. A pleasing effect may
be obtained by a combination of the two forms, a long panel being placed above a
short panel in the manner similar to wainscoting.
The wall may also be formed of a combination of moulded slabs as above
described, and plain flat slabs placed alternately, as shewn in the sectional view,
Fig. 6. In this case, the broad shallow grooves in the edges of the moulded slabs
will be replaced by deep narrow grooves, into which the edges of the plain slabs
are to be inserted, leaving a small space to receive the cement grouting to mako
the joints as before explained.
Instead of setting up the slabs directly on the foundation or footing I may first
lay thereon blocks of from three to six feet in length, one foot in height, and
slightly thicker than the thickness of the slabs which will form a plinth on which
the slabs are set up, thus dispensing with the necessity for skirting boards.
At those ports of the wall where the windows and doors occur. I use blocks of
a depth corresponding to that of the slabs six inches thick, and of any required
width. These blocks I form on one side with a broad groove to correspond with
that on the edge of the slab, and at the opposite side of the block I form a rebate
into which the door or casement will fit. The hinges for carrying the doors and
casements I may secure to the face of the block by screws, or I may use hinges,
one flap of which is provided with a tang and which I place in a recess formed in
the door or window block to receive it, the recess being afterwards filled up with
neat portland cement.
This mode of securing the hinges is shewn in the sectional view, Fig. 7, in
which B is the door block; B the door; and d the hinge.
I am thus enabled to dispense with door and window frames. If preferred,
however, hooks on which to hang the doors and casements can be cast into the
door and window blocks.

page_text: In constructing a projecting window I form the angles and mullions preferably
of separate blocks to which the casements are secured as before explained. If
desired, the inner projecting arrises may be replaced by an intaglio moulding, as
at c, Fig. 4.
The fireplaces and chimnies I also form of blocks and slabs.
The manner in which I construct the chimnies is illustrated in Sheet II; Fig. 8,
being a front elevation, partly in section, of the interior of a house, showing the
position of the chimnies; Fig. 9, a sectional side elevation of the same, and Figures
10 and 11, sections of the blocks taken on the dotted lines marked Fig. 1.
When
The blocks to form the fireplaces I prefer to make hollow for lightness, and I cast
them the height of the fireplace, and in one piece with the chimney jambs.
placed in position a plain concrete slab, having an opening therein the size of the
mouth of the chimney, is cemented onto the top of the chimney jambs.
The chimnies I cast in blocks of concrete about two feet high, and of a depth
and width sufficient to include the required number of flues, leaving a sufficient
quantity of concrete all round the flues. These blocks are placed one above the
other, and may be built into a recess forined by the enlargements of the wall slabs,
the joints being made good with cement grouting, as before explained.
By building the chimnics in this manner I am enabled to save a large quantity
of concrete or filling up, as the wide chimney breasts as hitherto constructed will
be avoided.
The heat of the flue will therefore in winter serve to communicate warmth to the
surrounding air, and the apartment will thus be more rapidly warmed, a great
advantage in cottages for the labouring classes.
The external angles of the chimney blocks are rounded off, and where there are
several flues I prefer to make V shaped grooves in the face of the blocks between
the flucs, as seen in Fig. 10, in order that the thickness of the concrete all round
the flues may be as nearly as possible the same, thus giving greater facility for the
radiation of the heat of the flues.
In order to gain a symmetrical appearance I introduce a pocket or dummy
flue e between two flues, or in addition to one, and these pockets or dummies e I
can use for ventilating purposes by making connection through them between the
apartment and the external air.
In addition to the pockets e I may employ a separate fluc e¹ for ventilating
purposes, in which case the pocket e is placed in connection with both. the
ventilating Blue and the external air. The external air will be drawn into and
heated in the pocket before escaping into the flue, thereby causing a draught in the
ventilating flue, which will draw in and carry off the vitiated air from the
apartment, with which it is also in connection.
The joists to support the floors, and the purlines of the roof I form of half battens
cut in half longitudinally, and then screwed together with a length of fender plate
between them. I am thus enabled to obtain a light but extremely rigid and strong
joist or purline.
The joists are inserted into holes left in the piers at the proper height; and they
may be set at the distance of three feet apart. The floors, which may be of
concrete slabs, are laid upon the joists and screwed down. On ordinary flooring
boards may be used.
purlines formed in the
The roof I prefer to construct of concrete slabs laid on
same manner as the joists just mentioned, and the ends of these purlines are
supported by gables, or in any other convenient manner.
The above described plan of constructing walls is equally applicable to farm
buildings, sheds, and also park and garden walls.
In the latter case it may be desirable to increase the length of the slabs, so that
I may get the piers further apart.
In this way I am enabled to build a strong wall having piers at regular intervals,
and at an extremely low cost.

page_text: The concrete for the slabs I prefer to mix in the following proportions, viz. :-
One of cement to two of sand or other suitable material, but for the corner,
chimney, and other blocks, the concrete may be of a coarser nature, and mixed in
the proportion of one cement to four ballast or other suitable material.
I may sometimes cast the piers separately, and with a deep narrow groove on two
opposite sides, into which grooves the edges of plain slabs are to be inserted in a
imanner similar to that shewn in Fig. 5, Sheet I.
Having now described my Invention of " Improvements in the Construction of
Concrete Buildings," and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect,
I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent, I
claim,―
First. Constructing the walls of concrete buildings of blocks and slabs of concrete,
substantially as herein shewn and described.
Second. The node substantially as herein shewn and described of constructing
the fireplaces and chimnies for concrete buildings.
Third. The mode herein shewn and described of forming joists and purlines to
support the floors and roofs of buildings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Mingay Tall, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
T
J. MINGAY TALL. (L.S.)