1 7 21

2 3 19
2 2 5
Chap. III. FIREPIiOOF WORK. 5G7
190;;^. A fioor, or even a flat roof, patented by Bnnnett in 1858, is formed of hollow
liriiks, having the two sides each composed of two parellel inclines, and each about hnlf
tlie depth of the block, connected bj a lioi-izontal or nearly horizontal plane, and the two
inclines on one side are parallel with those on the opposite side. Tln'ough these bricks
tie rods are passed, and secured at each end to wall plates formed of angle iron
;
the whole
is then screwed up, when the bricks form a slight curved arch in section, and from the in-
clined sides they over and iinderlap one another and mutually give and receive support
from the neighbouring blocks. This invention has been carried to 21 feet span with a rise
of about
2|
inches, and about 13 feet wide. Otiior arches have been constructed for the
purpose of testirg its bearing powers. Ono of tlie latter. Id feet beween the bearing
walls, and 2 feet 3 inches wide, was loaded with 4 tons 10 lbs. (or 267 lbs. to the square
foot), and was quite elastic. The deflection was about yj-xhs of an inch. The bricks are
put together with Portland cement and sand. Each brick is 10-^ inches long, by 9|
inches
wide, and 6 inches thick, and weighs 21 lbs. 100 square feet coraprisa :

tons CAvt. qrs. lbs.

H5 bricks, weigliing
--.-_.
Cement and sand
-------
Angle iron and tension bars (bars being 4 fett apart)
Total we'ght per square
-
- - - - -ll::i217
1903/. Pi>ts and jars and hollow bricks have all been used in arched work to reduce its
weight. Sr John Soane employed jars in the dome of the li'otunda at the Bank of
England, which is about 65 feet in diameter. In floors of arched work either iron ties
must be used to prevent the walls being forced out, or iron girders employed, thus subdi-
vi ling the lengtli, and tlie work arched across the length, i.e. between each girder. The
Builder of 1849 records the use of hollow bricks in the vaulting of St. George's Hall, at
Liverpool ; and Daly's Revue Ge/iera/e for the same year, the use of such bricks in walls.
1903/4-. The Indians about Nagpora build their sto7ie vuultsin a peculiar method, which
might be followed with advantage in some cases in this country. At the springing, stones
of a considerable depth are used, having the intrados cut to the form of the curve ; six
courses are laid, the upper one having a groove 5 inches wide and 2 deep. Then
stones of a smaller depth are laid, each having a groove cut in one face, 2 inches in depth
and 4 inches in breadth, with a corresponding projection in their other face, the groove
being on the upper side to receive the projection formed in the next course. About eight
courses having been laid, it then becomes necessary to present the work from falling in-
wards. At every 10 fett in length two strong rods are placed horizontnlly across the
chasm, and the ends are forced into the grooves. From these courses as from a new base
similar grooved stones to those already described are continufd, the length of fach
course contracting until the key course is inserted. When this last course is complettd,
the rods are Siwn across at either end of the finished vault, and the work continued. When
the arch or vault is of considerable span, a series of bases may be adopted, each at higher
P'>ints than the other, until one part is keyed. A slight scaffolding supports the work-
man, but no frame or centreing is used.
1903^. In view of a fire, and for the preservation of property and life, fireproof yFoors
should be more constantly insisted upon to replace the common wood floors, which (as has
been described) usually
"
consist of one inch of boards and one inch of plastering to separ-
ate each story in a dwelling." Even these can be improved by some modern inventions.
An American {Wight) method is by fixing flat interlocking fireclay tiles, carried by iron
clips screwed to the underside of the joists, the underside of these tiles being grooved to
formed a key for the plaster. A space of 2 inches is thus left between the plaster and the
wooden joists, and as the tiles themselves will stand almost any heat that can bo brought
to bear on them, the joists are absolutely protected ; on the upper side fine concrete or
pugging might be used. This system can be aflSxed to existing floors by simply hacking
off the lath and piaster, and it is probably quite new in this country. (J. Slater, I\ew
Invmtions, in Eoyal Inst, of Eriti^h Archittf-ts, Transactions,
1887.)
1903/?j. In the so-called "flats" and suites of offices, the floors are now generally
formed of fireproof construction. There are many modern systems. The core or
material used to fill in between the wrought-iron joists, which are placed 2 feet to 3 feet
apart, is generally determined by local circumstances, or the patent of the inventor of the
system. These are, metallic concrete, coke breeze, pit or river ballast, broken stone,
broken brick, well-burnt clay ballast, granite chippings, pumice, pots, &c., all generally
set in cement. This preparation is covered by an asphaltic, granitic, or metallic surface.
Lastly, the upper surface is finished Avith a floor of boards nailed to small wood joists
or sleepers resting on the concrete
; blocks are also used for fixing them.
1903. Archibald D. Dawnay's fireproof flooring is stated to be the simplest, cheapest,
and strongest ever introduced; suitable for all buildings to 40 feet span without
columns, being composed only of steel or iron joists embedded in a high class con-