E. W. DEAN. [J. F. I. a considerably higher calorific value per unit volume, and as this is the basis on which the user buys, he gets more for his money than he would from petroleum gasoline. It is believed that coal tar distillates, if properly used, are very satisfactory motor fuels and that there should be little difficulty in finding a market for the entire supply. The Bureau’s general feeling with regard to substitutes for gasoline is that they should receive all possible encouragement if produced and marketed in an intelligent and scientific manner. The nation certainly needs to increase its motor fuel resources and no step in this direction should be hindered. It should be recog- nized, however, that petroleum gasoline is a type of fuel for which present equipment has been designed and for which it is eminently satisfactory. It is believed, therefore, that when strik- ing claims are made for the superiority of any gasoline substitute, these should not be taken too seriously. The substitute fuel should be given a fair trial but the user should be satisfied if it is as good as gasoline and should not expect it to be notably superior. New Methods of Constructing Buildings in France. (La Nature, December 27, IgIg.)-The shortage of workers and the pressing need of buildings in the Departments devastated by the Huns has led to new devices in which the saving of time and the reduction of hand labor are prominent. In the process of M. Ch. H. Besnard, an architect of the Government, elements of rein- forced concrete are moulded in the factory under favorable con- ditions of temperature and humidity, where workmen are on the ground and not in mid-air, and where inspection and tests can be carried out with satisfaction. In erection a skeleton, consisting of (a) posts, carrying at the upper end very stout metal gutters. and (b) horizontal girders connecting the posts, is put up. The gutters, themselves, serve as lengthwise girders. From the peak of the roof descend the two sloping sides of glass or of tile, and both rest upon the inner edges of the gutters on the two sides of the structure. Outside of the actual elevation of the members and of their fixing in place, but little work need be done at the site of the structure. The roof has only three joints. The same process is applied to dwelling houses as well as to factories, and in a characteristically French manner the esthetic features of the structures are cared for. It is reported that a saving of more than 90 per cent. in the number of workers at the building itself is thus made-no incon- siderable matter in view of the 450~0~0 ruined buildings in France. G. F. S.

New methods of constructing buildings in France : (La Nature, December 27, 1919

Download PDF Report

Upload
gfs
View
216
Download
4

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: New methods of constructing buildings in France : (La Nature, December 27, 1919

E. W. DEAN. [J. F. I.

a considerably higher calorific value per unit volume, and as this is the basis on which the user buys, he gets more for his money than he would from petroleum gasoline. It is believed that coal tar distillates, if properly used, are very satisfactory motor fuels and that there should be little difficulty in finding a market for the entire supply.

The Bureau’s general feeling with regard to substitutes for gasoline is that they should receive all possible encouragement if produced and marketed in an intelligent and scientific manner. The nation certainly needs to increase its motor fuel resources and no step in this direction should be hindered. It should be recog- nized, however, that petroleum gasoline is a type of fuel for which present equipment has been designed and for which it is eminently satisfactory. It is believed, therefore, that when strik- ing claims are made for the superiority of any gasoline substitute, these should not be taken too seriously. The substitute fuel should be given a fair trial but the user should be satisfied if it is as good as gasoline and should not expect it to be notably superior.

New Methods of Constructing Buildings in France. (La Nature, December 27, IgIg.)-The shortage of workers and the pressing need of buildings in the Departments devastated by the Huns has led to new devices in which the saving of time and the reduction of hand labor are prominent. In the process of M. Ch. H. Besnard, an architect of the Government, elements of rein- forced concrete are moulded in the factory under favorable con- ditions of temperature and humidity, where workmen are on the ground and not in mid-air, and where inspection and tests can be carried out with satisfaction. In erection a skeleton, consisting of (a) posts, carrying at the upper end very stout metal gutters. and (b) horizontal girders connecting the posts, is put up. The gutters, themselves, serve as lengthwise girders. From the peak of the roof descend the two sloping sides of glass or of tile, and both rest upon the inner edges of the gutters on the two sides of the structure. Outside of the actual elevation of the members and of their fixing in place, but little work need be done at the site of the structure. The roof has only three joints.

The same process is applied to dwelling houses as well as to factories, and in a characteristically French manner the esthetic features of the structures are cared for.

It is reported that a saving of more than 90 per cent. in the number of workers at the building itself is thus made-no incon- siderable matter in view of the 450~0~0 ruined buildings in France.

G. F. S.