Building Research

The treatment usually given in text books for calculating the reinforcement necessary in reinforced concrete slabs takes no account of the effect of the support of the slab at its sides as well as at its ends. Ewart S. Andrews

There are many old ideas which have been exploded in recent years, and one of them is that it is necessary to aerate cement to make it slow setting; the usual method used to be to lay the cement out on a dry floor for a month or so. This is quite unnecessary with modern cements, as the time of setting is arranged during the manufacture, and the sooner the cement is used after delivery has been made, the better. Professor Duff Abrams made a series of experiments over 4 1/2 years, showing the effect of storage of cement under various conditions. Cement stored in a shed in the laboratory yard, gave an average strength ratio for the ages at which the tests were made:- G. McLean Gibson

Transport Costs. In these days of keen competition, it is remarkable how rarely transport costs receive the attention that they deserve. A.J. Knight