Plain Concrete for Farm Use — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Plain Concrete for Farm Use
John Stuart Mill · en
The total volume in the structure is 99-2/7 cubic feet or 3-2/3
cubic yards. Multiplying the quantities in line 7 of Table 1 by
3-2/3, it is found that the following material is needed: 22.14
sacks of cement; 1.65 cubic yards of sand; 3.27 cubic yards of
gravel.
[1] A practical rule in finding the area of a circle is to multiply
one-half the diameter (radius) by itself and the product by 22/7. In
finding the volume in the wall of a circular structure, such as a silo
or tank, the area of the circle formed by the inside circumference
is deducted from the area of the circle formed by the outside
circumference and the remainder is multiplied by the height.
FORMS.
Forms are required to hold the concrete in place until it has attained
sufficient strength to sustain itself and the initial loads to which it
may be subjected. Concrete is plastic and will assume the shape of the
form, thus any imperfection or impression on the face of the forms will
be reproduced.
Wood is commonly used for forms, as it can be easily worked into
different shapes, though various other materials sometimes are better
adapted to special conditions. Cast iron, for instance, is suitable for
casting small objects that are to be reproduced in quantities, such
as concrete block or tile; plaster of Paris, glue, or moist sand are
employed for casting ornaments or to produce a fine, smooth surface;
sheet metal is suitable when the forms can be used repeatedly or for such
circular structures as silos. When the sides of an excavation are not
likely to cave in the earth may serve as a form.
WOOD FORMS.
Wood for forms must be of a kind that is easily worked and that will
retain its shape when exposed to the weather. White pine is the best
wood, but is seldom used because of its cost. Spruce, yellow pine, and
fir are satisfactory woods for forms and are best, used partially green
or unseasoned.
The edges of boards should be surfaced, tongued and, grooved, or beveled
in order to obtain a tight form, so that the soft mortar will not ooze
out. A better surface* is secured if the boards are dressed on one side
and are free of loose knots or other imperfections.
As forms must be removed, they should be so planned that they can be
taken down without destroying the lumber, especially if the boards are
used for sheathing or again for forms. Therefore the nailing of the
boards to the support should be only sufficient to keep them in place
until the concrete has hardened. Greasing the surface next to the
concrete with crude oil, soap solution, or linseed oil will prevent the
concrete from adhering and facilitate removal.
METAL FORMS.
Metal forms can be used to advantage when the work involved is to be
repeated many times. If it is known or if it is probable that the forms
may have to be altered, the relative costs of wood and metal forms should
be carefully determined.