Treatise on civil engineering

Front matter

A TREATISE

D. H. MAHAN, LL..D..

PBOrESSOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AT WEST POIKT, X. *.

Preface

THE works of the late Professor Mahan are too well and too favorably known to need special comment from the present Editor.

The first edition of his work on Civil Engineering appeared when engineering as a learned profession was scarcely recognized in this country, and when but a very limited amount of instruction upon the science which pertains to it was given in our schools. Descriptions of processes and of works executed were the essential means of giving the information which was needed by the engineer. This determined the essential characteristic of his work, which is descriptive.

More recently, numerous schools have been established, which are intended to give thorough instruction in the science of engineering, and in which the courses of instruction are largely filled with mathematical analysis. But analysis alone, however important, can never take the place of descriptive matter. Every successful structure serves as a guide in the construction of all future similar works. Thus the experience of one may become the wisdom of many.

Before his untimely death, Professor Mahan had prepared

(V PREFACE.

a thorough revision of this work, and about one-third of it had passed through the press when the present Editor took charge of it.

1 have endeavored to do full justice to the original authoi by preserving the essential character of the work, and retain ing nearly all the matter which he had prepared ; still, 1 have omitted a few paragraphs which were deemed non-essential, and condensed others. I have also added considerable new matter, which is scattered throughout that portion of the work which I have had in charge. I trust that my labors have added to the value of the work.

D«V. W

CHAPTER I. GENERAL PROPERTIES OF BUILDING MATERIALS. tBTICUE. >*••

1-2. Introductory Remark ». ... 8

I. STONE. 3-16. Silicious Stones..., 4

17-20. Argillaceous Stones

21-29. Calcareous Stones 9

30-36. Gypsum— Durability of Stone 13

37-38. Effects of Heat— Hardness of Stone 15

II. LIME.

38-41. Classification 18

42-49. Hydraulic Limes and Cements 19

50-55. Physical Characteristics of Hydraulic Limestones 23

56-60. Calcination of Limestone. .. 25

III. LIME-KILNS.

61-76. Descriptions of Lime-kilns -.. 27

77. Calcination of the Stone 36

78-95. Reducing Calcined Stone to Powder 37

96-103. Artificial Hydraulic Limes and Cements 41

IV. MORTAR.

115-120. Classification— Qualities 46

121-127. Sand, Properties of 47

128-134. Hydraulic Mortar 48

135-138. Mortars exposed to Weather 50

139-142. Manipulations of Mortar— Machines for 51

143-150. Setting and Durability of Mortars 57

151-153. Theory of the Hardening of Mortarg 58

V. CONCRETE BETOW.

153-157. Concrete— Manufacture and Uses. 59

158-166. Beton— Manufacture and Uses 90 ff CONTENTS.

PAO*

kWICLE. ,,„

167. Ransome's Artificial Stone ™

168-182. Beton Agglomere °*

183-186. Adherence of Mortar. '

VI. MASTICS.

187-198. Composition of— Bituminous Mastit 74

VII. BRICKS.

99-211. Common Brick— Fire-Brick—Tile 77

VIII. WOOD.

212-214. Timber— Parts of the Trunk of a Tree 79

215-217. Felling Trees— Time and Treatment 80

218-225. Methods of Seasoning Timber *

226. Wet and Dry Rot . «

227-239. Preservation of Timber j

240-242. Durability of Timber

243-248. Forest Trees of the United States which are used for Timber. 86

IX. METALS.

249-263. Cast Iron, Qualities of 89

264-277. Wrought Iron, Qualities of 92

278-289. Durability of Iron 94

290-298. Preservatives of Iron 95

299. Corrugated Iron 97

301. Copper 98

X. PAINT AND VARNISHES.

805-308. Composition and Uses of Paints 100

809-313. Composition and Uses of Varnishes 100

314. Zoofagous Paint 103

815. Methods of Preserving Exposed Surfaces of Stone 103

Chapter II. Experimental Researches On The Strength Of Matfrials

816-328. Physical Properties of Bodies 106

336-342. Strength of Mortars and Cements 115

348-365. Strength of Cast Iron 131

866-367. Effect of Impact upon Cast-Iron Bars 144

868-374. Strength of Wrought Iron 147

CONTENDS. viJ

AHTICLE. PAGE.

375. Strength of Steel 163

376. Strength of Copper 166

377. Effects of Temperature on the Tensile Strength 161

378. Strength of Cast Tin, of Cast Lead, hard Gun-metal 167

379. Coefficients of Linear Expansion due to Heat 167

380. Adhesion of Iron Spikes to Timber 170

Chapter III. Masonry

I. Classification Masonry 174

II. Cut-stone Masonry 174

in. Rubble-stone Masonry 183

IV. Brick Masonry 183

V. FOUNDATIONS OP STRUCTURES ON LAND.

417-418. Definition— Importance 190

420. Classification of Soils 190

421-423. Foundations on Rock 191

424-425. Foundations on Sand 192

426-430. Foundations on Compressible Soils 192

431-440. Foundations on Piles 196

441-443. Sand for Bed of Foundation 203

VI. FOUNDATIONS OF STRUCTURES IN WATER.

411 149. Coffer-Work— Caisson 208

452-455. Foundations on Heavy Blocks of Loose Stone 217

456. Pneumatic Processes 220

457-458. Pneumatic Piles 220

459. Pneumatic Caissons. ST. Louis BRIDGE 229

EAST RIVER BRIDGE 234

VII. CONSTRUCTION OF MASONRY.

461-4G6. Foundation Courses — Construction of 236

467. Classification of Structures of Masonry 238

4d8. Walls of Enclosures 238

469. Walls for Vertical Supports 239

471-479. Retaining Walls. FORM AND DIMENSIONS 239

480-490. Modes of Strengthening Retaining Walls— Counterforts— Relieving Arches 244

491-492. Lintel— Plate-Bande 247

49:5-503. Arches— Definitions— Annular Arches— Dome 248

504-513. Details of the Masonry of Arches 252

514-516. Angle of Rupture 257

517-519. Remarks upon the Strengthening of Abutments 258

520. Precautions against Settling 258

521-523. Pointing of Masonry..' 259

524-526. Repairs of Masonry 260

527. Effects of Temperature on Masonry 261

Viii CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. Framing

528-639. General Principles 263

540. Solid-built Beams 265

541-547. Joints of Different Kinds 267

548. Open-built Beams 8H

549-550. Framing for Intermediate Supports «2<^

551. Experiments on the Strength of Frames 274

655-553. WoodenArches 277

Chapter V

BRIDGES. 554. Classification of Bridges 279

II. STONE BRIDGES.

555-556. Location of Stone Bridges 279

557-561. Survey— Management of the Water-way : 280

562. Number of Bays 282

563-567. Classification of Arches— Definitions 282

568. Oblique Arches 285

569. Arched Bridges 289

570-576. Centring for Arches 289

577. Style of Architecture 294

578-587 Construction of the Foundations 294

588-590. Superstructure 302

591-592. Approaches— Water-wings 305

593-594. Enlargement of the Water-way— General Remarks 306

595-596. Table of Bridge^ 308

III. WOODEN BRIDGES.

597-604. Timber Foundations 310

W5-606. Definitions of Terms 314

607. Long's Truss 315

608. Town's Truss 316

609. Howe's Truss 317

610. Schuylkill Bridge 317

611. Burr's Truss 318

612. Pratt's Truss , 320

613. McCaUum's Truss 320

614. Canal Bridge 320

615. WoodenArches 321

616-621. General Remarks 322

622. Architecture of Wooden Bridges , 324

623. Table of Wooden Bridges 334

IV. CAST-IRON BRIDGES.

634-627 General Remarks . . 835

Cast-iron Arches .... 327

CONTENTS.

632. Effects of Temperature on Stone and Cast-iron Bridges ...... 331

V. IRON TRUSSED BRIDGES.

633. Whipple's Trapezoidal Truss 332

634. Modification of Whipple's Truss 334

635. Linville's Bridge 334

636. Whipple's Arched Truss 337

637. Bollman's Truss 337

638. Fink's Truss 338

639. Post'sTruss 339

640. Alleghany River Bridge 344

641. St. Louis and Illinois Bridge 344

642. Kuilenberg Bridge 347

VI. TUBULAR BRIDGES.

643. Tubular Frames of Wrought Iron 347

644. Experiments with a Model Tube 349

645. Britannia Tubular Bridge 350

646. Formula for Computing the Strength of Wrought-iron Tubes 354

647. Victoria Bridge 354

VII. SUSPENSION BRIDGES.

648-653. General Remarks. . . 357

656-658. Position and Construction of the Cables 360

659. Vertical Suspension Bars : 361

660-662. Construction of Wire Cables 361

663 -664. Construction of the Piers and Abutments 362

665. Main Chains, &c 363

666. Attachment of Suspending Chains 364

667. Roadway 364

668. Vibrations 365

669. Means of Preserving the Chains 360

670. Proofs of Suspension Bridges 366

671. Durability 367

672. Suspension Bridge near Berwick, England 368

673. Menui Bridge 368

674. Fribourg Bridge 370

676. Monongahela Wire Bridge 373

677. Niagara Railroad Suspension Bridge 374

678. East River Suspension Bridge. 379

VIII. MOVABLE BRIDGES.

679. Definitions 880

680 Draw Bridges 881

681. Turning Bridges 884

682. Swing Bridge at Providence, Rhode Island 885

683. Rolling Bridges 391

684. Boat Bridges 391

CONTENTS.

IX. AQUEDUCT BRIDGES.

685. General Principles 891

686. Canal Aqueducts 893

687. Trunk of Cast Iron or Timber 392

CHAPTER VL

ROOFS.

688. Definition. : 393

690. GeneralData. 393

691. Weight of Snow 394

692. The Force of Wind 394

693. Ordinary Roof Truss 394

695. AnlronRoof Truss 396

696. Roof of a Gas-House 397

697. An Example of Trussing 398

698. Depot Roof Truss 399

699. Roof of a Rolling Mill 400

700. Truss of the State Capitol, Vermont 400

701. Example of Roof at the University of Michigan 402

Chapter VII. Roads

702. Establishing a Common Road 403

703. Reconnaissance 403

704-708. Surveying and Locating Common Roads 405

709. Gradients 407

710-713. Final Location 408

714-720. Earthwork— Excavations and Embankments. 411

721. Drainage , 416

722. Road-coverings 419

723. Pavements— Wood and Stone 420

724. McAdam and Telford Roads 423

726. GravelRoads 425

728. Asphaltic Roads 427

729. Repairing Common Roads 428

730. Cross Dimensions of Common Roads 429

731. PlankRoads .. 430

II. RAILWAYS.

737. Supports. 433

738. Ballast 434

739. Temporary Railways .• 434

743 Sidings, etc ..436

CONTENTS. XI

is not*. FAOK.

754-768. Experiments of Baron Von Weber on the Stability of the

Permanent Way 443

755. Stability of Rails to Lateral Pressure 442

756. Stability of the Permanent Way 443

757. Stability of the Permanent Way to Resist Horizontal Dis-

p acoment 444

759. Stability of the Rails on the Sleepers. 448

762-763. Experiments on the Resisting Power of Railway Spikes 451

764 Experiments on the Effect of Bed-plates 454

765. Force Required to Draw Spikes 456

766. Total Resistance due to Spikes and Friction. 458

768. Weber's Deductions from Tabulated Results 461

770. RailJoints 464

Chapter VIII. Canals

777-780. General Remarks 467

781. Cross Section 470

782-783. Supply of Water 471

784-786. Locks-Use of, etc 472

787-793. Feeders and Reservoirs 474

794. Lifts of Locks 47ft

796-815. Locks— Principles of Construction 482

816-817. Accessory Works— Culverts 488

818-819. Aqueducts— Canal Bridges 489

820-822. Waste-weir— Guard Lock 490

823. General Dimensions of Canals 491

824. Locomotion on Canals. . . . 493

Chapter IX. Rivees

825-829. Natural Features of Rivers 494

830-831. River Improvements 495

833. Means of Protecting the Banks— Inundations 498

842-854. Slack- water Navigation 503

855-856. Escapements 513

Chapter X. Sea-coast Improvements

882-886. Classification— Action of Tides 534

Quays 541

ELEMENTARY COURSE

CHAPTER L

BUILDING MATERIALS.

I. STONE. II. LIME. III. LIMEKILNS. IV. MOKTARS V. CONCRETES AND BETONS. YI. MASTICS. VII. BRICK VIII. WOOD. IX. METALS. X. PAINTS, VARNISHES

ETC.

SUMMARY.

BUILDING-MATERIALS, their properties, application, and classification (Arts. 1-2).

STONE.

SILICIOUS STONEa— Sienite, Porphyry, Green-Stone, Granite and Gneiss, Mica Slate, Buhr or Mill Stone, Horn-Stone, Steatite or Soap-Stone, Talcose Slate, and Sand-Stone (Arts. 3-1(5). ARGILLACEOUS STONE&— Roofing-Slate, Graywacke Slate, and Hornblende

Slate (Arts. 17-20).

CALCAREOUS STONES. —Common Limestone. MARBLES. —Statuary Marble, Conglomerate Marble. Birdseye Marble, Lumachella Marble, Verd Antique Marble, Veined, Golden, Italian, Irish, etc., Marbles. Localitie« where the Limestones and Marbles are found and quarried for use (Art*. 21-29), Gypsum (Art. 30).

Durability of Stone (Arts. 31-36).

Effects of heat on Stone (Art. 37).

Hardness of Stone (Art. 38).

i CTVIL ENGINEERING.

II. Lime

CLASSIFICATION OF LIME. — Common lime, Hydraulic lime, Hydraulic cement, Limestones that yield Hydraulic limes and Hydraulic cements, Analyses of these stones (Arts. 39-49). Physical characters and tests of Hydraulic Limestones (Arts. 50-55). Calcination of Limestones (Arts. 56-60).

III. Limekilns

CLASSIFICATION AND KINDS OF (Arts. 61-77). Methods of reducing calcined stone to powder; by slaking; by grinding (Arts. 78-95). Artificial hydraulic limes and cements (Arts. (96-103). Puzzolana, etc. (Arts. 104-114).

IV. Mortar

CLASSIFICATION OF (Arts. 115-116). Uses of (Art. 117). Qualities of, on what dependent (Arts. 117-120). Classification of Sand (Arts. 121- 127). Composition of Hydraulic mortar (Arts. 128-134). Mortar exposed to weather (Arts. 135-138). Manipulation of Mortar and Concrete (Arts. 139-142). Setting and durability of Mortar (Arts. 143-150). Theory of Mortars (151-152).

V. Concretes And Beton8

CONCRETE OF COMMON LlME, MANUFACTURE AND USES (Arts. 154-157).

Beton, its composition, manufacture and uses (Arts. 158-161). Beton Coignet (Arts. 162-166). Bansome's artificial stone (Art. 167). Beton agglomere (Arts. 168-182). Adhesion of Mortar to other materials (Arts. 183-186).

VI. Mastics

BtASTics, COMPOSITION OF (Art. 187). Bituminous Mastic, Composition and Manufacture of (Arts. 188-198).

VII. Brick

PROPERTIES. USES AND MANUFACTURE OF (Arts. 199-209) Pire-Brick (Art. 210). Tiles (Art. 211).

yni.

WOOD.

TIMBER, KINDS OF (Art. 212). Parts and properties of the trunks of Trees (Arts. 213-214). Felling of Trees (Arts. 215-216). Girdling and barking trunks of Trees (Art. 217). Methods of seasoning Timber (Arts. 224-225). Wet and dry rot (Art. 226). Preservation of Timber (Arts. 227-242). Forest Trees of the United States (Arts. 243-248).