Page 13 - ICJ Jan 2023

TECHNICAL PAPER COLLECTOR’S EDITION

A PHENOMENAL OUTPUT ORIGIN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE

During the last 25 years the increase in output Although the origin of reinforced concrete dates
of Portland-cement can only be said to be back before the beginning of this century the
phenomenal. The introduction of reinforced rapid strides which have been made in its design
concrete has undoubtedly very materially added and use have only taken place in comparatively
to the ever-increasing uses to which concrete can recent years, as may be seen by reference to the
be put. Developments in motor traction, both as dates of the first reports issued by the Institution
regards wheel loads, rubber tyres and high speeds of Civil Engineers and the Royal Institute of
have proved the advantages of concrete over many British Architects. A great deal of experimental
of the older types of road construction. The war investigation and theoretical study has placed
naturally gave an impetus to the use of concrete the design, calculation and construction in this
in almost every conceivable direction, even to the material on a sound basis. Many of the earlier
extent of adapting its use (for the time being), to structures have shown their weak points, and the
the construction of floating craft. The buildings engineering profession has been quick to take
of the Wembley Exhibition are a monument to its advantage of the lessons thus afforded. The most
use, and when the new Regulations of the L. C. C. important item in this type of construction, looked
are issued, I venture to think that the anticipated at from the point of permanency, is undoubtedly
reduction in the stringencies of the old regulations the question of the steel reinforcement, but this
will have the effect of adding materially to the appears to he within close range of solution due
use of reinforced concrete for buildings in the to the development of non-rustable steels. In
administrative County of London. this material the value of Portland cement of the
highest quality is capable of realisation to the full,
provided that, so far as relates to the control by
public authorities, legislation is not too hidebound
to permit of reasonable stresses being adopted.

14 The Indian Concrete Journal | November 2018