Illustrations of the Croton AqueductTower, F. B. (Fayette Bartholomew)
History
Illustrations of the Croton Aqueduct
Tower, F. B. (Fayette Bartholomew)
Croton Aqueduct (N.Y.)
To render the Aqueduct more secure in such positions, the concrete
foundation has an increased thickness, and in preparing it a greater
proportion of hydraulic lime is used; the proportion being two and
a half parts of sand to one of lime. The dimensions of the stone
side walls and the spandrel backing of the roofing arch, are also
increased; and the proportion of hydraulic lime to the sand in the
mortar for these is increased. Another precaution has been taken to
render the work secure, by plastering the interior of the Aqueduct over
these foundation walls. The embankment adjacent to foundation walls
has various slopes according to circumstances, and is generally
protected with a dry stone wall on the face, and is carried up of
sufficient width to insure the requisite covering over the Aqueduct
masonry.
Along side hills an excavation is made for the Aqueduct into the hill,
and a protection wall of stone built on the lower side so as to support
a covering of earth over the masonry; great care being taken to obtain
a deep and firm footing for this wall in order to render the work
secure. In such a position the Aqueduct is perhaps less secure than
in those before described. Where the soil is wet from springs, and
the formation clay, there is danger of slides; and in rainy seasons
there is danger from the torrents which gather on the hill sides and
come down with destructive force: the earth covering is liable to be
carried away, and the Aqueduct itself to be undermined. Great care has,
however, been used in such cases to form strong paved channels for the
passage of the water over the top of the Aqueduct, or by culverts to
pass it underneath.
WASTE-WEIRS.
At suitable places on the line of the Aqueduct, waste-weirs are
constructed to discharge surplus water. They are constructed in one
side of the channel-way, in such manner as to allow the water to flow
off when it rises above a given level, and arrangements are also made
at these places to close the channel-way entirely, by means of stop
planks, and to discharge the whole of the water through waste-gates;
so that the water might be running from the Fountain Reservoir through
a portion of the Aqueduct and discharging from these waste-weirs
while the remainder of the channel-way, or portions of it, would be
drained so as to admit of inspection or repairs. There are six of these
waste-weirs constructed for the Aqueduct.
VENTILATORS.
For the purpose of ventilation hollow cylinders of stone are erected
over the top of the Aqueduct and rising about 14 feet above the surface
of the ground, or earth covering. These occur every mile, and every
third one is constructed with a door to afford an entrance to the
Aqueduct.
Those allowing an entrance have an interior diameter of 4 feet, and the
others have an interior diameter of 2 feet; each, however, slightly
diminishing towards the top. An iron grating covers the top to prevent
any thing being thrown in.
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